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.

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.