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?

From the Declaration of Independence … “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

I want to stress that we were endowed with the right to pursue happiness.  Happiness is not a right.  I should not expect someone else to provide me with happiness if I cannot achieve it through my efforts.

When I get bountiful results, I feel great happiness because the fruits of my efforts have been realized.  Accomplishing goals brings me so much more happiness than objects and physical things.  The memories of the pursuit are cherished as much as the results.

A couple things that I think help us achieve happiness are:

• Understanding where are values are and aligning our actions with our values.  I value freedom, family, and personal accountability.  I love the freedom to do what I think is best for my family and I take full responsibility for it.
• Understanding that most lasting happiness is built over time – one piece at a time and built with pleasure in the process of accomplishment.

In doing some research for this blog, I found a great site that had the following quotes that I feel reflect my perception of happiness.  http://www.thehappyguy.com

Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.
This definition of happiness by Dr. Benjamin Spock

Happiness comes only from appreciating what you have right now. You can even be happy by appreciating your troubles because they are helping to build your character.
This definition of happiness by Harriet Meyerson

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.
This definition of happiness by Martha Washington.

Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.
This definition of happiness by Stephen Covey

For me, Happiness is our perspective of our efforts and the results that they have produced. I can be happy about a failed attempt to accomplish something if I know that I have successfully found a way not to do it.  We can learn from our failures and our obstacles.  Store that information away and recall it the next time you are in a similar situation.

I know that I am responsible for my happiness.  I must not let others dictate my happiness.  I must not blame others when I am not happy.  Pursue bountiful results in your life and happiness will join you in the pursuit.

We are responsible for our own actions.  We are responsible for our own shortfalls.  I enjoy taking credit for my success.  I also feel the need to take credit for my failures.  I know I need other people to participate in some of my activities, but if I am the accountable for the results, I am still the one that must take responsibility for what was done under my watch.

If I set a goal to lose 20 lbs.  I cannot blame my wife’s good cooking for me only losing 5 lbs.  I chose to consume the quantity that I did.  I decided to stop exercising. I did not change my method of weight loss when I realized I was not on pace.

I am the only person that can make me successful.  Others most definitely play a part.

Would you agree that the following statement should be removed from our vocabulary.  “I gave Joe a chance to step up and prove himself.  I lost my promotion because he let me down.”  The first thing I see, there was already some uncertainty in Joe’s ability to do the task.  Two,  I cannot blame Joe for what I allowed.  I lost my own opportunity.  To get bountiful results I must include in the plan a series of progress updates from Joe and ample time prior to the deadline for any corrections or adjustments that need to be made. You cannot blame the fox for getting in the hen house if you left the door open.  He is just being a fox.

I try harder to succeed when I realize that I am accountable for my success and the overall end results.

Try this accountability exercise – Make a list of the things that you have accomplished before you do it. Sign the bottom of it and give it to your boss, spouse or friend.  This is the same as signing a check – you now own the accountability of those items.  You can start out safe, but to get to bountiful, you will want to make the list challenging.

For me, a bountiful harvest is an overflowing amount of vegetables that will sustain you until the next harvest.

When I was growing up, we had a big garden.  We planted potatoes, corn, beans, tomatoes, etc.  We were not growing vegetables for commercial purposes – we were providing for ourselves and for some of our extended family.  Preparing the soil and planting was a family effort. Weeding and maintaining the garden was also a joint effort.  I think that one of the secret ingredients to the process was the sweat that was added.  The pride that we felt at the end of the season was incredible – we played a big role in bounties that we received.  Months later we still smiled at our accomplishment as we sat down to enjoy a good home grown meal.  I did not realize until many years later, mom spent many hours after everyone else was asleep processing the vegetables so they would keep for the entire year. What an incredible sacrifice.  I recall that we would plant almost a hundred pounds of potatoes and pull out of the ground nearly 1000 pounds at the end of the season.  That is bountiful.

I have identified 7 steps in the process that are crucial to getting a bountiful harvest.

1. Breaking the soil
2. Fertilizing
3. Planting
4. Proper amount of water
5. Proper amount of sun and warmth
6. Weeding and breaking the soil again
7. Time

There are 7 key components to getting Bountiful Results in your life as well.  I gave you the first 2 yesterday. More will be revealed as we go along.

What I have taken away from this experience is priceless.  I love taking pride in my accomplishments.  I cherish the results that I have toiled and sweat over to bring them into reality.  As I build on the successes and carry over the lessons learned, the results become Bountiful.

What have you accomplished that you are proud of?  Carry that with you and use it to propel you into the future.