7 Habits of Highly Productive Microsoft Office Gurus

Today’s writing is part one of my seven part series called, “7 Habits of Highly Productive Microsoft Office Gurus.”  The next seven posts will give you a sneak peek inside the mind and work ethic of a Microsoft Office Guru.  If you're wondering why the heck you should even read about being a Microsoft Office Guru, consider this:

• Fact: Microsoft Office Gurus are more productive (read on to learn why)
• Fact: Microsoft Office skills (at a proficient level) are expected in many of today's entry-level administrative, customer service and professional jobs (check Craig's List if you don't believe me)
• Fact: Employers value employees that are productive

 Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk a bit about what a Microsoft Office Guru is NOT: 

• A person is NOT a Microsoft Office Guru just because they can name every function of each Microsoft Office program
• A person is NOT a Microsoft Office Guru just because they can write a macro and create a template from their smart phone while sitting on the 3rd base line at a Giants game
• A person is NOT a Microsoft Office Guru just because they can create an entire PowerPoint presentation using just the keyboard
• A person is NOT a Microsoft Office Guru just because they seem to understand what a Pivot Table is
• A person is NOT a Microsoft Office Guru just because they think they know more about Office than everyone else because they've taken "advanced" classes

OK, let’s get started with Habit 1!

Habit 1: Cultivate a Guru Mindset

#1 thing that separates a Guru from the average Microsoft Office user is not their skills; it’s their attitude.

I may be dating myself here, but I compare the importance of a Guru mindset to an episode of the Cosby Show.  It was the episode where Vanessa had a science project due and she had weeks to get it done.  But instead, she waited until the last minute and did just enough to “get it done.”  Well, she didn’t do her best, got a low grade and everyone one from her teachers to her parents were disappointed in her; and she was also disappointed in herself.  She also realized that she should have and could have done so much more. 

This may sound simple, but your attitude is the number one thing that can be the difference between a Guru and, well, everyone else.  Your attitude drives your actions.  So if you’re attitude towards your work is, “Let me just get this done so I can go home,” that’s exactly the kind of work you’ll produce – “just get it done quality.”

It always surprises me how many people knock themselves out of the running for getting or keeping jobs merely because their attitude is one of complacency and their work product is that of “just get it done” quality.  Gurus don’t just want to get it done, we have a Guru Mindset.  We want to get it done the most efficient and best way possible for the project at hand; and it’s evident in our work product.  So what is a Guru Mindset?

A Guru Mindset:  1) A desire to get the job done the most efficient way possible in order to produce a product that fulfills its intended purpose for the intended audience.

The latter part of that definition is critical in that if your intended audience can’t use or make sense of your final output, you’ve missed the mark. Gurus also know that best practices are keys to being productive and efficient.  It’s not enough to know how to create a document, compose an email, create a spreadsheet or design a presentation.  A Guru leverages the functionality of Microsoft Office by combining their rock solid skill set with their understanding of the best way to apply the application’s features to result in a higher level of output than the average user. 

So how do you cultivate a Guru mindset?  Start by taking the Guru Oath:

Guru Oath: I promise to regularly combine best practices with application functionality to boost my productivity and create projects that fulfill their intended purpose.

Copy and paste this oath near your computer to remind yourself to maintain a Guru Mindset.

Next post I will talk about a Microsoft Office Guru’s secret weapon:  The Productivity Formula.