Ever heard the phrase…”Hard work gets you sympathy, results get you rewards“!
Results Rule… always have ruled but rule stronger in this dismal economy. So if you are hanging on to your job, or looking at propelling your career further, or just looking for a job…remember the formula…”Results = Rewards”.
Several people wonder how they can effect results for the organization if their role directly doesn’t influence them. Well, I never said you have to impact corporate results – you simply have to impact your own.
Here are some steps in succeeding with your results
Step 1: Define and document anticipated goals, objectives, and proposed results
- Develop measurements – keep it as quantitative as possible.
Stay away from generic measurements. “Complete project on time”, “improve quality”, “increase sales” are all interesting but for the most part irrelevant. Get crisper around them
- Decide who is responsible in helping you achieve your results. Use a “DACI Chart” if needed…who is the Driver, who is the Approver, who is the Contributor, and Who needs to be kept Informed. Write these down. You need to know your “eco system”
- Make sure your “Eco system” understands and agrees with their role in helping you succeed.
Step 2: Start with the end in mind
Your results are empty without a vision. Imagine what success will look like. Is it finishing your project 15% under budget, is it hitting 105% of your sales goal, is it adding 7 customers in one week? Then imagine that you have won and experience that feeling.
Famous 100 meter sprinter Carl Lewis always imagined the feeling of breaking the tape before the race started. He heard the screaming crowds, he felt the camera flashes, he pictured his score on the board seconds before he took off from the starting spot. And then he had to win because he had already imagined what it felt like.
Step 3: Communicate your goals and anticipated results
This is an important step that gets easily overlooked. If a tree falls in the forest, and no is there, it doesn’t make a sound. Your results are meaningless unless noticed. You are a brand – and you need to market your brand.
Step 4: Track your results – honestly and frequently
Ever played a soccer game and trailed 0-3 in the last 10 minutes. No matter how hard you try chances are you arent going to win. Stop falling behind. Measure regulary, consistently, and frequently
Step 5: Celebrate your success
Don’t wait for accolades. Start the celebration yourself. Be honest and credible – but don’t hold back. Hey – if nothing else, at least you had fun doing it. Celebration is infections and inspirational. Give yourself a little something as a reward.
Step 6: Document the learnings
With every success you have hidden failures, and within every failure is a lesson in success. Take time to cherish it.
Step 7: Start over with Step 1
Be patient, but be realistic. And beyond everything, sorry if I’m now confusing you, work really really hard at your results.
Good Luck
