Here’s a New Year’s Goal idea for you – replace your To Do List with a Results List.
A To Do List is Stuff you are going “To Do.”
A Results List are Results you are “Committed to Producing.” They are Outcomes. Then you can connect a “To Do” list to every Result on your List. But that is not how most “To Do” lists work. They usually exist separate from a commitment to produce a result.
To adopt this approach, first answer the Big Question: “What Results am I Paid to Produce in My Job?” This will help you focus on your most important Results. Then focus on the upcoming time frame.
Now, answer the question “What Results am I Committed to Producing this Week?” I suggest picking three or four big ones (Steven Covey would call them “Big Rocks.”) Then add a To Do List to each Result.
The big difference is that most people gleefully check off their To Do lists without a thought of what difference they are making. Once you have a Result you are committed to then you have to actually pay attention to whether the activities on your To Do list are getting you to the Result. If they aren’t, then you need to change what you are To Doing.
The Gallup Organization, in their book, First, Break All the Rules, says that setting the outcomes for your staff is one of the four most important behaviors of great managers.
Doug Smith, in his book Make Success Measurable, agrees. Outcomes can be set for any person and Doug’s book helps you figure that out.
I highly recommend both of these resources if you are interested in adopting this Results List approach.
If you do, you will be amazed at the increase in productivity that you will experience. And the same goes for your team if you have them adopt this approach. You will definitely maximize your Mission Impact.
