A couple of the guys who have been given more responsibility have really been stepping up to the plate lately. Here's something I've learned: it seems that people who have the right attitude are able to work through all kinds of tough issues. And working through tough issues increases productivity.

We're finding that being challenged by being understaffed is really causing us to think of new, and more efficient, ways of getting the same amount of work done. And really, that's what we've been trying to do for a while.

It seems there's a logic to the mentality of "cutting off retreat" or "burning bridges" that can be healthy and strengthening. When you are able to break ties with things that seem comfortable and familiar, a whole new world of possibilities opens up.  What was impossible just a few short days ago is turning out to not only be possible, but a bunch of newer opportunities that were previously unseen have presented themselves, as well.

The adventurebolt, for me, is watching that realization hit others, and seeing new areas of maturity and strength open up with the embracing of new-found empowerment.

"When you are able to break ties with things that seem comfortable and familiar, a whole new world of possibilities opens up."

[Sage's note: I saw this article at Yahoo! Small Business and thought it was really worth sharing. Enjoy!]

By Michael Bungay Stanier

"Good is the Enemy of Great."  Jim Collins said it first, and he had it right.

Bad work is, of course, something to eliminate. Good work is an even bigger problem. The steady churn of productivity, the meetings and e-mails and the day-to-day getting things done means it's often easy to be seduced by the comfort and familiarity of good work and to never quite get around to doing enough great work.

So how do you manage the busywork so you can do less good work and more great work? Here are two simple and powerful tips:

Begin with the Great

Ever get to the end of a week, a week where you've worked long and hard, and be unable to remember anything you've actually done?

It's because most of us start each day by jumping right into the good work stream and never getting out. We dive into and start processing our e-mails, and then the whirl of meetings and phone calls begins. Before you know it, another day has passed.

There has to be time set aside for great work; protected time where you can focus on great work without interruption.

For most of us, the sooner in the day you can get to it the better. Your great work requires you using your active brain, your prefrontal cortex. That's the source of creativity, your problem-solving, your strategic thinking. And that part of your brain gets tired easily, whether doing good or great work. To put it bluntly, using your great work brain power answering e-mail is a waste of your best strategic asset. Block off time early on in the day for great work.

Find Great Work Allies

Great work is difficult if not impossible to do by yourself. You need people to help. When gathering your great work allies, you're looking for two types of people.

First, find people who are extraordinary in the work that they do. In this hyper-connected world, you can find the best person in the world to help you with your challenge, not just the best person in your part of town. Find extraordinary contributors, then keep them close and nourish them.

Second, find people who will provide the encouragement and support to keep you focused on great work. It might be a coach, a mastermind group or friends you have the occasional drink with. You're looking for tough love, encouragement and support when you're going through the inevitable dips; a reminder of your blind spots and familiar patterns when you're spinning your wheels; and a willingness to push and provoke you a little, too, when that's required.

Find Michael Bungay Stanier at www.entrepreneur.com

[Note: this is an edited version of an article at Yahoo!Small Business.  You can read the article in full http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-article-a-114417-m-6-sc-46-the_business_of_being_great-i]