Bountiful Results

As a manager, getting bountiful results often requires the juggling of  multiple projects and tasks at the same time.  At times it is like juggling elephants.  When we cannot not focus on individual tasks and projects one at a time, we will find that this leads to stress and mediocre results.

I know that when I sit down to read an article or a book, I do not get too far before a thought pops into my mind about how to apply what I just read or a reminding thought about something that I need to do.  If I choose to ignore it and continue reading – the thought pops back up again.  At this point, I have a couple of options:  1. I can move on and expect frequent interruptions or 2. I can stop what I am doing and act on the thoughts by writing it down or go act on the thoughts. I often choose the latter option.  I keep a notepad with me or read with my laptop open and at the ready to take notes.  Our brain is an incredible thing.  It will try keep stuff in short term memory for as long as possible.  In order to keep it there it will need to bring it to the conscious level often, which means that it will disrupt what we are currently focusing on. Our sub-conscious knows that the memory is the only way of retaining a thought until we either white it down for future consideration or act on it.  Short term memory is believed to be 15-30 seconds.  If old memories are disrupting new thoughts it is very likely that you will forget or not retain the information you are currently trying to focus on.  This is why it is important to write down the interrupting thoughts.

To manage multiple priorities, we must be able to focus on one task at a time, even if it is for a minute.We them must clear that from our short term memory and then totally focus on the next task.

There are some great books out there that will give you different techniques for clearing one thing out of the way and bringing another into focus. The important thing is to find the one that works for you. I encourage people to read many points of view- try them and apply what gets results.  This is the premise of the bountiful results principle.  I do not have the only method for achieving exceptional results.  The Bountiful Results Principle is the method of applying what what works for you and getting bountiful results in the process.

The following is how I apply the principle to managing multiple priorities:

1. Acknowledge that I Need to do a better job of focusing on one project at a time.

2.Write out a Plan that includes SMART goals, learning objectives, milestones and reward.

3. Act on the plan soon and act boldly.

4. Acquire the necessary Tools to accomplish the training.

5. Motivate myself frequently by keeping my need in focus. Seek outside Motivation if necessary.

6. Adjust the plan and action if unforeseen circumstances derail my efforts to achieve the results that I desire.

7. Spend as much Time as necessary to achieve lasting results rather than a temporary fix. Do not mistake this for a license to coast and feel like you have all the time in the world.  The objective should be to achieve in the shortest time necessary so you can apply your new found results and skills. While all 7 components are critical to achieving results, short-cutting the time needed to achieve lasting results has become a major problem in today’s society.

These 7 components can be applied to any and all specific techniques on focusing and managing priorities.  The key is to use all 7.

The New Year is almost upon us – Are you resolved to go the extra mile and achieve bountiful results in all that you do in 2010?

The 4th component of getting bountiful results is the tools and training needed to get results.  Each and everyone of us has a unique set of skills and training that we have accumulated as we have gone through life.  Each of us are qualified to do something with our talents and skills.

Understanding how tools and training are crucial to getting results will help you on your journey to Bountiful Results.  Using the analogy of a car – tools and training is the vehicle that action rides in and the plan is steering the vehicle.

Let’s take a task like driving a nail into a board.   We must have some type of tool to drive the nail in and we must have some prior knowledge or training in order to be successful.  I know we can self teach,  but I also know it could be a painful lesson.  The most common tool for driving a nail is a hammer.  A hammer is not the most efficient method, the air powered nailer is.  I have also used a rock to drive a nail, again a potentially painful lesson.  I just listed three different tools that can be used to drive a nail.

The time that it takes to get to bountiful results is in direct proportion to the efficiency of the tool we select to use and our skill level with that tool.

If you want to be a carpenter.  Seek out the best training that you can find.  Get good tools that will be efficient.  Practice your new found skills with the new tools.  I am great with a saw and a utility knife, but that definitely doesn’t qualify me to be a surgeon.

So I guess what I am trying to say is -  do not underestimate the importance of the tools and training that you have when you are planning for success.

Almost everyday I have a to-do list that has 20 plus tasks on it.  Some are critical and some are things that it would be nice to get to this week. As part of my personal development, I have seen just as many methods of dealing with the list.  This is one of those things that you have to try several of them and decide for yourself which one is best for your unique personality.

I have discovered a principle that has made managing the to-do list bountiful.  I must decide what is the “One Thing” for the day that will produce the most results.   It may not be the first thing that I do, but it often pushes me through the other tasks so I can get to the One Thing.  When that particular task is done, I try to pick a new One Thing as soon as possible.

The 5th component of getting bountiful results is Motivation and Accountability.  I incorporate this into the One Thing by declaring to someone else – “This is my One Thing for today”.  I have now signed my name to this task and hung my credibility on it.  If I go around saying that I am going to do something but fail to follow through, my credibility will be damaged.

My criteria for it becoming a “One Thing” item is:

• Am I the best person to do this at this time?
• Will it impact others if I do not get it done today?
• Will completing this task or project head off future problems or crisis?
• Is there a monetary loss or gain associated to this task?

Answering these questions will narrow down the list to a critical few and based on the strength of our response to each question; we will be able to set a One, Two, and Three.  Remember, after one is done, two should become our new number One.

I have taken this process a step further. I am asking, “What is my One Thing for the week?”   “What is my One Thing for the Month?”

My One Thing today was visiting a long time friend.  What is your One Thing going to be tomorrow?

Success and Failure are not opposites. On quite a few occasions, I have experienced failures(of a plan) on the way to success.  We all are so unique in so many ways – our personalities, our past experiences, our body types and the list continues.  There is not a single plan that will work for everyone.  Honestly, each of us needs our own customized plan because we are so unique.

In my opinion, failure is not trying to achieve our dreams and goals.  Failure is setting goals and quitting after the first or second plan doesn’t work.

Thomas Edison created over 3,000 variations of the incandescent light bulb before he came up with one that would burn for 13 hours and was safe to use. Those were not 3,000 failures – they were just ways not to make the light bulb.

When we are driving a car,  we do not steer by looking at the yellow lines beside us or directly in front .  We are aiming high by looking out ahead of us. We should do the same with achieving success. Aim High!  Our first plan may fail, that is when we utilize the 5th and 6th components of Bountiful Results, look to our motivation and adjust the plan for another try.

The path to bountiful results is lined with ways that are not right for our unique circumstance.  We often do not know that until we try.

Success will come to those who persevere. Aim for the stars and if you fall short you can still land on the moon.

Most experts agree that the X factor for being successful in your personal development is a positive attitude. It is not who you know. It is not the school that you graduated from or the book that you just read.  A positive attitude will enhance your education. It will help motivate your efforts and make achieving bountiful results possible.

We cannot be positive and negative at the same time.  They are polar opposites.  We can bounce back and forth between the two, but they cannot occupy the same space at the same time.  It is also true that both positive and negative attitudes will attract more of the same.  When I am in a good mood and full of positive thoughts, I often see other things around me in a positive light.  A positive attitude is often contagious – the airborne type. Try walking around with a smile on your face and compliment those you come in contact with. You will soon infect someone else with your positive energy.  Sure, there are a few out there that have built up an immunity to the basic strain of positive attitude.  They need a super dose of positive energy to break through the armor.  First you soften them up with a joke or two and then you perform an act of kindness. Don’t let them know that you are doing it ahead of time, they might foil your plan by accusing you of having an ulterior motive or something.

It is not easy to maintain a positive attitude without practice or exercise.  Here are a few of my favorite positive attitude exercises:

• Notice something positive in someone else and point it out.
• Every time someone asks you how you are doing – say “I am doing Great! or I am Fantastic”. Say it enough times and you will be.
• Make a list of things that you are thankful for.
• Read an inspiring book or article.

Thanksgiving is almost here.  I am going to make a list of 20 things that I am thankful for.  CAN YOU?

Our ecomomy is still flat.  Income is flat or receding. Unemployment has climbed to 10.2%.  More and more people now need a hand up, not a hand out.  I know how tempting it is to look to the government for a handout.  It does appear that money grows on trees in Washington DC.

A hand up, to me, is assisting someone cope with a major change in their life.  It could be a death in the family, a divorce, the loss of a job, or even an injury that restricts their lifestyle.  Historically, we have been charitable people. We did this by taking food over to a neighbor that had lost a loved one,we  offered to help someone find a job through the connections that we had, and we offered to take care of the kids for the neighbor, while they dealt with a marital issue.  We need to continue to help our neighbors by giving them a hand up.  Forming a community network would be a great step toward retaining our individual independence with the assistance of the community only when necessary.  We give to non-profit organizations like the United Way, Red Cross, and the American Heart Association so they can give a hand up to those that need it.  I prefer to give my money to the charity of my choice.  When the government gives a hand out – it is from money that has been taken from people in the form of taxes or money that is borrowed from others.

I was homeless for a while in Nashville.  A friend told me about an organization called Matthew 25 Ministries. I went to them for assistence. They gave me a cot to sleep on at their ministry.  This was not a hand out though, I had to have a job and do chores to help maintain the facility.  I was asked to give them half of my income – they held on to it as a down payment for a place of my own.  I was instructed that I would be kicked out if I was blowing my money on drugs or alcohol.  They did random testing.  The whole experience taught me the difference between a hand up and a hand out.  Matthew 25 is definitely about giving people a hand up. They helped me with the motivation and accountability to seek the bountiful results of getting back into a place of my own. I was given an opportunity to save money and to change my outcome through my efforts, not through someone else losing their money in order for me to gain some.

I came up with an acronym for a HAND UP:

Hold out your hand
Ask them about their needs
Negotiate your role
Develop a plan

Urge them on
Praise their efforts

If we incorporate these 6 steps into our efforts, the positive results have a greater chance of being lasting results.

One day while working in the garden,  I realized that getting results at work and in life are so very similar to getting results from the garden.

The components for Bountiful Results are:

1. The specific and detailed need.
2. A plan that identifies the critical issues and has SMART goals.
3. Act on the need and plan boldly.
4. If not already in your possession,  acquire and utilize the tools and training necessary.
5. Develop sustaining motivation and/or accountability.
6. Effectively adjust and adapt as the circumstances and the plan changes.
7. The proper amount of time.

I have had successes and I have had failures.  When I reflect back on some of the failures, I am finding some common tendencies.  I did not develop enough motivation and was not accountable to the results(5).  I did not understand what the critical issues would be and when they popped up, I did not adjust to them(2)(6).

As I have shared with you before, I have read many articles and books on how to be motivated, how to execute, and even books on speed reading.  I didn’t understand why the new found information was not setting me free. I was not doing much with it during and after I read it.  All 7 components are necessary.

Give this a try.  Reflect back on some of your successes and failures – I am sure you will see how each of these components impacted your results.

I would love to read your perspective on getting bountiful results.