Beware!
Last week, while driving to the airport, I heard an ad on the radio promoting a technology that would “take you to the next level.”
That term the “next level” is one of the most overused cliché’s and I’m ashamed to admit it, but at one time had that as one of my taglines. The problem is that besides being overused, the “next level” may in fact NOT be where you need to be.
What is the Next Level?
The “next level” implies the next logical step in a process. It might be a promotion at work, a bump in income, a move to a different company, an upgrade to a bigger house or a nicer car. While all seem great, they all come at some form of a cost.
In my work, traveling around training and coaching managers, I run into a lot of unhappy folks who jumped at the chance to be at the “next level” only to find themselves in way over their heads and very unhappy. Unfortunately, once you get to that “next level” it’s difficult or impossible to go back.
In relationships, the “next level” might be marriage, or later on, having children. In either step, those “next levels” are increasingly difficult and challenging and turning back then is going to cost something.
If you’re truly interested in the “next level”, take some time to figure out what it REALLY is and if you REALLY want it. In my opinion, doing great at the current level isn’t a bad goal. In my case, taking my business to the “next level” might be attempting to get on the GSA Schedule to take on government clients, but the hassle, cost, and bureaucracy might actually make the “next level” more of a headache. I’m still wrestling with this one. I’m not going to blindly jump to the “next level” and hope you won’t either.
So next time you hear a radio ad for something that promises to take it “to the next level”, take a moment to think about it. That’s one cliché you don’t want to ever use (or overuse).
