What technology should not replace is:

• Quality family time
• Decision making
• Face to face communication
• Problem solving

Bountiful results for the family starts with more open communication – face to face.  Our body language is more than 60% of our communication.  The expression on our face, the shifting of the eyes and even the way we have our body positioned says much about the message we are presenting.  I can not see that in an e-mail, a note on the counter or even a phone call.  We need to carve out time away from technology to listen to our significant other’s needs and thoughts.  We need to be face to face with our children and seek to understand what is going on in their life.  Remember,  they will be saying more with their body than their words.  Wikipedia has some great information on Body Language.

It is a great idea to collect information using technology.  There is a lot of software that will organize the data into a nice package or presentation. When it is time to make a decision based on the information, it is best to listen to that inner voice or pay attention to that feeling in your gut.  These are reactions caused by past experiences.  They deserve as much weight in the decision making as the data does.  I personally have gone against the collected data when I made a decision because I wasn’t confident about the accuracy of the data collection.  We need listen to our heart and our mind will follow.

Problem solving has been enhanced by technology, but should never replace the super computer that we all have been blessed with; our brain.  Isn’t it amazing how all of our past experiences are kept for reference?  All it takes is something similar to recall an event from 20 years ago.  Again, collect the information and then run it through your body.  Is your mind recalling any relevant information? How does your gut feel about it?  Is your heart convinced that it is right?

If the power goes out and the cell phone battery dies, you are left with what mankind has used for thousands of years – the bountiful results within yourself.  Make sure that you keep them sharp

Visualizing the realization of the need makes it so much more likely that we will get bountiful results. Did you know that most Olympic gold medalist had already visualized themselves on the top platform of the podium many times before it became a reality? The more detail we add to our need the clearer the vision will become. Which of these two examples of a need do you think will lead you to bountiful results?

1. I need to save money to take a nice vacation.
2. I need to save $600.00 in order to sit on the deck of a Lake House sipping my favorite drink while overlooking the  lake. The Sun is almost set and across the sun, a sailboat is passing.

Wow. I am ready to go on that vacation.

Now! We have transformed the need from a dot on the horizon into an in focus full color image in front of us. We do not want to stop there though. We also want to make sure that it is a challenging need that will result in great satisfaction when realized. Do you remember learning how to ride your first bike? There was some fear; there was some doubt, and a lot of wobbling and weaving going on. I am sure that the sense of accomplishment when you were able to stay upright and straight was incredible.  I know that you can site numerous other examples of your big accomplishments and the great feeling of satisfaction that it gave you. Great satisfaction is a motivator to be more and try even more challenging things.

I need you to splash a little color and detail onto your needs.

I know from first hand experience, when we are wishing for Friday to come because we are miserable at work, the paycheck will never seem like it is enough to compensate us for what we perceive to be the anguish that we have to endure.  It seemed like a never ending spiral.

One day I was at a crossroad and had a really tough decision to make.  Do I quit my job and spare my sanity or do I continue to endure the madness for the sake of providing income for my family.  Luckily, I found a third option.  I remembered something that Zig Ziglar said about making two lists – one list of the things that we like about our job and another the dislikes.  I made the lists.  I did discover that the benefits and positives did outweigh the negatives.  I then took the negatives and broke that list into two groups.  One list that I could turn into positives by communicating with someone that controlled the negative.  For example, I resented being put on mandatory overtime.  I approached my supervisor and shared with him that I was willing to work overtime when necessary and if I could get an advanced notice of an increase in the work load, we could re-prioritize the schedule and even head off some of the overtime.  It was a win-win.  The other negatives I had to accept as part of the deal.

I also realized that most are not fortunate enough to love every aspect of their job.  It is called work and they do have to pay us to do it.

Can we make the most of our time at work?  Absolutely.  Happiness is not the money we earn.  Happiness is not even the title or status in the company.  It is the experiences that we have while doing our job.  Are you leaving a legacy?  Are you able to make another persons life easier or more rewarding because of what you do?  The answer to both of these is YES.  If you cannot see it, I would love to assist you.  You can e-mail me at john@bountifulresults.com

May all your results be Bountiful.

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.