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?

S – specific, significant, stretching

M – measurable, meaningful, motivational

A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented

R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented

T – time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

I will not go into detail about each aspect.  Wikipedia has great information you can read.

One additional aspect of planning for bountiful results is identifying and planning for the critical issues of the task, event, or mission. I define critical issues as the most difficult or challenging part of getting great result.  For instance, when I made my most recent career change, the critical issues were the hundreds of procedures and policies that I needed to learn.  It wasn’t managing the people or interacting with all the new team members.  I will always remember what my trainer told me about taking in all of the information in such a short period of time.  He said, “It is like getting a drink of water from a fire hydrant.”

What are the critical issues that you are facing?  Identify them and make a plan to deal with them.  What could potentially pop up and create a road block while you are trying to achieve your goals?  Create a solution now and then act on your plan boldly knowing that you thought it through and believe that you have addressed the things that would keep you from achieving bountiful results.

How many times have you said to yourself, “Things are going smoothly and I am ahead of schedule, so I am going to quit and move on.”  I do not say that either.  It is the tough times, the road blocks and resistance that discourages us and often causes us to fall short of bountiful.

Deal with the critical issues up front and plan to succeed.

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.

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.

This meant that I could no longer blame someone else for me quitting.  No more scapegoat for my lack of focus on the mission.  I now must choose to succeed.  I must accept sole ownership of my reaction to an obstacle or an unforeseen consequence of my plan.  At first this can be a little frightening,  but don’t worry, this freedom now empowers you to adjust and adapt to still get the bountiful results that you seek.  “Adjust and Adapt” is the 6th component to getting bountiful results.

What can you do with this insight?  Are there projects or dreams that you should revisit?  I believe that each and everyone of us can get bountiful results in that one thing that we have blamed on someone’s negative opinion of us or our capability to complete.

I choose my own emotions and I am happy to share this with you.