Whether we work for someone else or we work for ourselves we all need to achieve results.

Achieving results is one of the biggest human motivators, we all like to feel that we have accomplished something. Management and leadership are ultimately all about achieving results.

Some people do, others simply watch and/or complain. The act of doing or making things happen achieves results.

But are we all able to achieve results? I think that often depends on what we are trying to achieve. If what you are trying to achieve is simply something that your manager or supervisor wants doing and you have little interest in what is wanted then you may get it done just for the sake of an easy life, but more likely than not you will delay, procrastinate, put off doing, or simply make up excuses and do something else completely.

Ultimately to achieve a lot and get a lot of stuff done, you need the thing you’re trying to get done to closely match a passion of yours.

There are tools and techniques that can help with achieving things but I’m still a firm believer in the fact that things are more likely to get done if those things are closely aligned to your personal passions or interests.

Assuming what you are trying to achieve is aligned with your personal passions/interests then you are on to a great start.

Some techniques and tools that will help you reach your goal include organizing, delegating, planning, communicating, motivating and controlling. These are all skills that can be learned and applied to help you achieve your desired outcome.

One of the most important needs of any individual is the need for achievement. When we achieve something, we feel good from simply putting a line through a simple task that you completed in the morning, to completing a large-scale project that you have been planning for the last year. It’s all achievement and it gives us all a great sense of accomplishment type feeling.

People who are great at achieving results often have a few common traits and characteristics.

• They focus on achieving things that they can control
• They focus on tasks that closely align with their strengths, skill sets and passions.
• They set themselves realistic, achievable goals.
• They reward themselves and others who contribute for any achievements
• They focus on items where they can have a direct and positive influence.

How to Achieve Results.

1. Clearly define what it is that you want to achieve.
2. Monitor progress on a regular basis.
3. Make sure most of your efforts during the day are aimed at getting you closer to your achievement.
4. Set yourself and your team demanding but not unattainable time constraints.
5. Reach out to others for help and advice when stuck or facing obstacles. Note: others don’t necessarily have to be within your own team. Use social media to reach beyond your team or organization or simply ask Google for answers to a problem that may be taxing you or halting progress.
6. If others are involved communicate clearly what is expected and by when.
7. Demand high performance and quality but be wary of impacting cost and time.
8. Stick to the plan, only deviate if external circumstances demand so.
9. Show perseverance and determination to get what you planned or envisioned.
10. Only take calculated risks.
11. Constantly ask questions to ensure what you are doing is right and the most effective course of action.
12. Remain positive and lead by example.

Getting From A to B

Many of us start at A with a plan of getting to B. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes we start at A and end up at C. Don’t be too disheartened if this happens. Often C can still be a positive outcome and a better position than A where you started.

In the world of strategy, Henry Mintzberg defined this as an emergent strategy. You start at A with a plan of getting to be but other (sometimes external) influences change your course of action.

It’s good to simply sit back and reflect at this stage:

• What went well?
• What not so well?
• What could we have done different?
• What should we have done different?
• What did we set out to achieve?
• How close were we to achieving what we had planned?
• Is our end result a better outcome, similar, worse?
• Are we in a better position than when we started on our path to achievement?
• How did we succeed?
• Or why did we fail?
• What have we learned or would do differently next time?

Doing provides learning experiences and new knowledge that can assist us greatly with future goals and achievements.

To achieve results, you ultimately must make promises with yourself and others. It’s about doing what you set out to do. What would you like to achieve? Start making some plans now and stick to them. Please let me know of any success that you have had.

Many thanks, Martin