Body of Work. You hear this term occasionally.

Especially when someone is taking about a leader – a global leader, a leader in the sports world, a world class writer or a world-wide corporate icon.

But what does this phrase mean? Body of Work?

It’s the entirety of what that icon has produced. What have they contributed to the world so far in their life.

In time, this Body of Work could be pretty impressive. It must be impressive since someone is talking about this global giant and their Body of Work.

But let’s put this in perspective. Let’s put this in terms that I can understand.

Their Body of Work was not just one big event. It was an accumulation of many smaller events. Many mini-wins and mini-victories.

And numerous struggles and failures that the public did not see.

Their Body of Work was the result of their “daily grind.”

Whatever that “daily grind” was. Lots of unseen work. Maybe unfinished drafts of a book.

Or a failure in several sports before they found their passion sport and a coach that would work with them.

That world acclaimed person’s Body of Work is the tip of the iceberg of their entire body of work.

And miles below and years below the tip of the iceberg that we see as their Body of Work are countless hours of work and preparation and failures that are too numerous to name.

Body of Work. That explanation puts it in perspective in terms I can understand.

If you want to create a Body of Work that will be recognized someday by your tribe, your family or your peers.

If you want to create that memorable Body of Work, then focus on daily habits and activities. Focus on all of the stuff that is below the tip of the iceberg that will make what’s above the water line – your Body of Work – visible.

The real body of work that is below the tip of the iceberg is what really matters.