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?

If I am struggling to build a bountiful plan I will use some if not all of the following to assist in the creative process.

• Put it down and come back to it 36 hours later.  My subconscious will still work on it, but it will be a different time of the day.
• Sometimes I use family, a friend or a teammate as a sounding board for my ideas.  Sometimes just saying it out loud generates additional thoughts.
• Mind-mapping is a good technique for getting your thoughts down on paper.  Our mind is full of associations to various points  in time and personal experiences.  Once you establish the main theme for the map – relax your mind and allow it to freely associate.  write down the information as your brain sees it.  Do not try to put it in a list form.  I find this helps me to look at all aspects of a task.

I am sure that you have your own tools that you use to generate ideas and unlock great inspirations in your own mind.  Don’t forget to consider the critical issues and the roadblocks that can pop up.

What do you do to plan for success?  I would love to hear from you.  Click on “comments” above or email me at: john@bountifulresults.com

So how do we act boldly?  There are 3 key steps:

• Proclaim your intention to be successful.  Share your vision with others.
• Get started as soon as possible and overachieve early on.
• When you hit your first obstacle – adjust and keep going.

Acting on your plan is at the heart of achieving; any shortcuts or feeble efforts will show up in your results.  I am reminded of some of the basics of planting vegetables.  If we skip the breaking up of the soil part or in haste toss the seed on top of the ground,  some plants will manage to grow, but it will be significantly less than what is possible.

I wish everyone bountiful results, but more important, I wish upon everyone the heart to act boldly on their dreams.

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.

One of my mentors is a retired 22 year veteran of the Army.  The lessons that I have learned from him have been priceless.  The Military is either actively insuring our freedom or training to be prepared for service of our nation’s needs.  They are the epitome of planning for bountiful results.  They understand every critical issue that they may face and prepare tirelessly for success in the event that they need to apply the training.  In the business world, if we have a bad day, we may lose some money or a customer.  On the battlefield, a bad day may cost some lives.

Some of the less obvious contributions our military has contributed to society have been:

• A standardization of the way things are to be done.  A sequence to follow each and every time.
• Leadership Standards – They breed leaders that will own their accountability and not leave a man behind.
• Integrity and a code of conduct.  I personally have not met a disrespectful veteran.
• Work ethic -  See the mission through to the end.
• Teamwork – The impossible is accomplished when many work together as one.
• Loyalty – They run toward their responsibilities, instead of running away.

I am wiser and more prepared because of the lessons that LJ has shared with me.  Do you know a veteran that you can learn from?

Please give our veterans the respect they deserve.  They have already done it for you.  HUA!

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.

Outside of my office, I have a sign that reads:  “NOTICE: NO MEDIOCRITY BEYOND THIS POINT!”.  I did not post the sign to accuse anyone of being mediocre – I want to challenge any and all to be their best.  I want to look at the sign and know that I have the potential to be better today than I was yesterday if I bring my “A” game.

The first two components of getting results are the need and the plan.  The third component is action.  In order to make them bountiful results, you need to visualize the need, create a plan for success and act on it with boldness or with positive energy.  The fourth component of getting bountiful results is the motivation or the accountability to see it through to the end. In my opinion,  one of the biggest differences between mediocre and bountiful is the energy in the action, coupled with motivation to see it through.

You have unused potential.  You deserve bountiful.  Act on your plan with boldness and leave mediocre to someone else.