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Practices

JD — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:34:16 GMT

JD:

Here are the twelve core practices and supporting practices of Agile Results:

== 12 Core Practices ==
# Action Lists
# Daily Outcomes
# Growth Mindset
# Monthly Improvement Sprints
# Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection
# Reference Collections
# Scannable Outcomes
# Strong Week
# The Rule of 3
# Triage
# Timebox Your Day
# Weekly Outcomes

== Supporting Practices ==
# Allocated Time
# Batch and Focus
# Boundaries
# Buffers
# Chunk It Down
# Compelling why
# Daily, Weekly, Monthly Results
# Diversify Your Results
# Do It, Review It, Improve It
# Fail Fast
# Fix Time, Flex Scope
# Good Enough for Now
# Improvement Scripts
# Just Start
# Lessons Learned
# MUST, SHOULD, COULD
# Next Best Thing
# One Place to Look
# Pair Up
# Park It
# Power Hours
# Reduce Open Work
# Scripts
# Sweeping
# Switch Hats
# Test Your Results
# Tests for Success
# Worst Things First

== Summary Table of Practices for Agile Results ==
{| class='wikitable' border=1 width="550" cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0
|-
! style=background:#efefef; | Category
! style=background:#efefef; | Items
|- valign="top"
|''Rhythm of Results''
|
* '''Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection'''
* Daily, Weekly, Monthly Results

|- valign="top"
|''Mindsets and Motivation''
|
* '''Growth Mindset'''
* Compelling why
* Switch Hats

|- valign="top"
|''Time''
|
* '''Timebox Your Day'''
* Allocated Time
* Boundaries
* Buffers
* Fix Time, Flex Scope

|- valign="top"
|''Energy''
|
* '''Strong Week'''
* Power Hours
* Park It

|- valign="top"
|''Learning''
|
* '''Monthly Improvement Sprints'''
* Improvement Scripts
* Lessons Learned
* Pair Up

|- valign="top"
|''Planning''
|
* '''The Rule of 3'''
* '''Daily Outcomes'''
* '''Weekly Outcomes'''
* Diversify Your Results
* Reduce Open Work
* Tests for Success

|- valign="top"
|''Doing''
|
* Batch and Focus
* Chunk It Down
* Do It, Review It, Improve It
* Fail Fast
* Good Enough for Now
* Just Start
* Test Your Results
* Scripts
* Sweeping

|- valign="top"
|''Organizing''
|
* '''Scannable Outcomes'''
* '''Action Lists'''
* '''Reference Collections'''
* One Place to Look

|- valign="top"
|''Prioritizing''
|
* '''Triage'''
* MUST, SHOULD, COULD
* Next Best Thing
* Worst Things First
|}

* Bold indicates that the item is one of the 12 core practices of Agile Results.

==12 Core Practices of Agile Results Defined==
At the heart of any system is a set of practices. It’s the practices that make or break a system. Combined with the 10 values and 10 principles, the 12 core practices complete the foundation of Agile Results:
# '''The Rule of 3.''' This is the heart of your Daily Outcomes. The Rule of 3 will help you stay focused on the vital few things that matter. Identify your three key outcomes each day, each week, each month, and each year. This helps you see the forest from the trees. The three outcomes for the year are bigger than the three outcomes for the month which are bigger than the three outcomes for the week which are bigger than the three outcomes for your day. This also helps you manage scope. It’s all too easy to bite off more than you can chew. Instead, first nail the three items you want to accomplish, and then bite off more. Think of it as a buffet of results and you can keep going back—just don’t overflow your plate on each trip.
# '''Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection.''' Decide three results you want to accomplish for the week. Decide what three results you want to accomplish each day. Make progress each day. At the end of the week, reflect on your results.
# '''Scannable Outcomes.''' Think of this as what’s on your radar. At a glance, you should be able to see what you want to accomplish and what you’re spending your time and energy on. Outcomes guide your actions. Keep your outcomes scannable at a glance. Organize outcomes by your work, personal, and life Hot Spots. For example, create a list of outcomes for your Life Frame Hot Spots: body, career, emotions, financial, fun, mind, and relationships.
# '''Daily Outcomes.''' Each day is a new chance for results. Use daily tickler lists for action items; create a new list each day. Each day, decide on three things you want to accomplish (The Rule of 3). Always start your list with your three most important outcomes for the day. The key to an effective Daily Outcomes list is that you keep your three outcomes for the day at the top, while listing the rest of your to-dos below that. This way you have a reminder of what you want to accomplish.
# '''Weekly Outcomes.''' Create a new list each week. Each week is a new chance for results. Always start with your three most important outcomes for the week (The Rule of 3).
# '''Strong Week.''' Each week focus on spending more time on activities that make you strong and less time on activities that make you weak. Push activities that make you weak to the first part of your day. By doing your worst things first, you create a glide path for the rest of the day. Set limits; stuff the things that make you weak into a timebox. For example, if the stuff that makes you weak is taking more than 20 percent of your day, then find a way to keep it within that 20 percent boundary. This might mean limiting the time or quantity. Sometimes you just can't get rid of the things that make you weak; in that case, balance it with more things that energize you and make you strong. Apply this to your week too. Push the toughest things that drain you to the start of the week to create a glide path. Do the same with people. Spend more time with people that make you strong and less time with people that make you weak. Be careful not to confuse the things that make you weak with challenges that will actually make you stronger. Grow yourself stronger over time.
# '''Timebox Your Day.''' Set boundaries for how much time you spend on things. If you keep time a constant (by ending your day at a certain time), it helps you figure out where to optimize your day and prioritize. To start, you can carve up your day into big buckets: administration, work time, think time, and people time.
# '''Triage.''' Triage incoming action items to either do it, queue it, schedule it, or delegate it. Do it if now is the time: it’s the next best thing for you to do; now is the most opportunistic time; or it will cost you more pain, time or effort to do it later. Queue it (add it to your queue) if it’s something you need to get done, but now is not the right time. Schedule it if you need a block of time to get the work done. Delegate it if it’s something that should be done by somebody else.
# '''Monthly Improvement Sprints.''' Pick one thing to improve for the month. Each month, pick something new; this gives you a chance to cycle through 12 things over the year. Or if necessary, you can always repeat a sprint. The idea is that 30 days is enough time to experiment with your results throughout the month. Because you might not see progress in the first couple of weeks while you’re learning, a month is a good chunk of time to check your progress.
# '''Growth Mindset.''' This is simply a decision—decide that you’ll learn and grow. If you get knocked down, you’ll get up again. You decide that no problem is personal, pervasive or permanent. Life is not static. Neither are your results.
# '''Action Lists.''' Track your actions with tickler lists. Consider the following action lists: Daily Outcomes, Weekly Outcomes, Queues, and Scripts.
# '''Reference Collections.''' Some information is not actionable. Yes, it might be helpful information, and yes, it might be good to know. But if it’s not actionable, then it’s reference. You can store your reference information as tickler lists or notes. Here are some example reference lists you might keep: Ideas, Notes, Weekly Results, Monthly Results, and Yearly Results.

==Supporting Practices for Agile Results Defined==
The Agile Results practices support each other. You don’t need to adopt them all. The following are supporting practices for Agile Results:
# '''Allocated Time.''' If it’s important, make time for it. If you schedule it, it happens. Block time for key things on your calendar. One practice that works well for a lot of people is to block a few hours in a row for execution. Another practice that works well is to set aside time for a particular type of task and batch it all at once rather than do it throughout the week. One thing that might surprise you is scheduling your free time. You might find you have less free time than you think, and this is a quick reality check to make more free time.
# '''Buffers.''' Buffers are the padding you put in your time to allow for surprises. You can buffer with time. For example, you can allow yourself 30 minutes to get to work instead of 10; this way, if there’s traffic, you don’t get frustrated. You can also create a buffer by keeping your plate only three-quarters full. If you keep your plate completely full, you may not like what spills over; you may also make find yourself lashing out at any threats in terms of more work. Thus, you are unable to respond as effectively to new opportunities. Another way to add buffers is to have transitions. For example, maybe working out after work helps you transition to your personal life. The simple act of adding buffers can help reduce friction, stress, and anxiety in your life.
# '''Boundaries.''' This means setting minimums and maximums on how you spend your time. Setting boundaries helps keep a sustainable pace. It also ensures that you spend time in some areas that you might otherwise ignore or forget about. By spending enough time and energy in the right categories, you get synergy. For example, by spending time in your relationships, things get easier at work. By spending time on your body, you keep your mind fresh. By spending enough time in fun, you keep your energy strong.
# '''Batch and Focus.''' Consolidate similar tasks. This helps you focus rather than task switch. It also helps you find efficiencies. When you do something more, you find ways to improve.
# '''Chunk It Down.''' Chunk your work down. You build momentum as you get results. You can chunk your work down in terms of complexity, such as creating incremental hurdles. You can also chunk down time, such as setting mini-milestones. Another approach is to simply quantify it: for example, three actions, three outcomes, etc.
# '''Compelling “Why.”''' Find a “Why” that drives you. This can be as simple as deciding that you want to master your craft. The key is to internalize it, rather than focus on external rewards. This will help see you through the dark times as well as help you live your values.
# '''Daily, Weekly, Monthly Results.''' Establish a rhythm of results. Each day, week, and month is a new chance for results. If you fall off the horse, you can get back on. If you miss a train, catch the next one. Having a rhythm for your results helps you build routines and improve your ability to get results. I think of the rhythm of results in terms of daily, weekly, and monthly results. Using The Rule of 3, I can try to accomplish three meaningful results each day, each week, and each month. It adds up fast. Most importantly, it’s a very simple way to frame out results. Rather than get caught up in the details, it’s easy to step back and think in terms of three items. Then, whether I’m looking at a day, a week or a month, I can quickly look at the bigger picture. For example, the three results for the month are much higher level than the three outcomes for the week, which are much higher than the three outcomes for each day. It’s a quick way to traverse a bunch of action that’s spread over time, and not get bogged down in the tasks themselves. It’s a sketch of your results that you can incrementally render daily, weekly, and monthly.
# '''Diversify Your Results.''' This is the key to balance. If you look at your results across your life as a portfolio, you can choose where to invest more and where to cut back. You can use different lenses. For life in general, I check how I’m investing in mind, body, emotions, career, financial, relationships, and fun. At work, I check how I’m spending energy across administration, relationships, thinking and doing. In terms of projects, I try to have a vital few that I spend most of my focus on, as well as a few innovation projects for learning and growing. I try not to have all my eggs in a single basket. This means I’m not overly invested in one thing, and I can keep perspective and balance while remaining responsive to change.
# '''Do It, Review It, Improve It.''' Decide and go. When you perform tasks, take the action, and then analyze your results. Don’t critique yourself throughout the process. Perform, then evaluate.
# '''Fail Fast.''' Fail early and fail often. Failure is part of the learning process. The sooner you hit your glass ceilings or tackle your high risks, the sooner you can adjust as needed. Learn and move on.
# '''Good Enough for Now.''' One way to deal with perfectionism is to focus on good enough for now. You can improve it later, once you get some feedback; just get something to done first. Remember, what might be right for you might not be right for some; perfection is in the eye of the beholder.
# '''Just Start.''' Taking action is the key. Just get started. This will help you avoid analysis paralysis. You can always correct course once you get going.
# '''Improvement Scripts.''' Write down steps to perform a specific action or routine.
# '''Lessons Learned.''' Identify three things that worked well. Identify three things that didn’t work well. Carry forward your lessons learned.
# '''Monthly Results.''' Each month, review your results. One simple way is to create a tickler list that shows your most important results for the month. This helps you keep score. This also helps you see the forest from the trees. Each month is a good time to take stock of your accomplishments and reflect on what if anything you need to change going forward.
# '''MUST, SHOULD, COULD.''' Use MUST, SHOULD, and COULD to prioritize your potential tasks; use it with your to-do list if you have one. Then, focus on your three MUSTs for the day. I’ve found it much more helpful to think in terms of MUST, SHOULD, and COULD; however, if you need to use a prioritization system that is number centric (for example, priority 1, priority 2, and priority 3; or p1, p2, p3), then you can still think in terms of MUST, SHOULD, and COULD by mapping it accordingly. If you get really good at focusing on your MUSTs, you’ll see immediate improvement. Where people fall down is they mix too many SHOULDs and COULDs into their work each day without realizing it, so they don’t actually ever get any meaningful work done. If you are having trouble, The Rule of 3 helps. Getting three MUSTs done each day quickly builds momentum. It’s a sense of accomplishment. You may find as you get more effective, you start to bite off more. Note: If the word MUST creates a sense of heaviness for you or you find you no longer look forward to getting your results, then change your language. For example, rather than your MUST dos, think of your CHOOSE TOs. This puts you back in power, and this simple reframing can help you get your energy back.
# '''Next Best Thing.''' Remind yourself to value your time. Ask yourself, “What’s the next best thing to do?” It’s a cutting question that helps you prioritize in the moment.
# '''One Place to Look.''' Whether you have a paper system or an electronic system, the key is to have one place to look for all your action items and your reference information. This works in conjunction with keeping your information scannable.
# '''Pair Up.''' Pairing up or teaming up can be a great way to complement your strengths and get results. The key is to pair up with the right people. This is especially effective for learning new things; in this case, you find a mentor. This also works well on projects; if you’re a starter, look for a finisher (or vice versa).
# '''Park It.''' Sometimes it makes sense to park something you’re working on, at least for the time being. You can come back to it later. If it feels like you’re churning and not making progress, it might make sense just to park it for now.
# '''Power Hours.''' Focus on increasing your power hours. A power hour is where you feel like you’re incredibly productive and you’re in the zone. You might find that you have certain power hours throughout the day. Maybe you have power hours in the morning, or maybe you are better in the afternoon or at night. The first step is just noticing when they occur. Some power hours might be due to the type of activity you work on, while others might be driven by your biorhythms. Either way, once you know the pattern for your power hours, you can find ways to optimize to have more power hours. By adding more power hours, you can spend less overall time on your tasks. This improves your efficiency and your effectiveness.
# '''Reduce Open Work.''' Reduce the work you have in flight. It’s better to finish one thing before spinning up a bunch of other things. The more work you have that’s not finished, the more chances you won’t finish. When you reduce work that’s in flight, you can better focus on the task at hand and bring it to completion. Task switching is an enemy of results.
# '''Scripts.''' You can write your routines down as a set of steps. Writing routines down can help find ways to improve. You can also avoid thrashing or spending too much think time while you’re trying to perform the routine. You can also use your scripts to avoid common mistakes.
# '''Sweeping.''' Things get messy. Sweeping is a way to periodically clean things up. For example, you might sweep your lists once a week. You might sweep your notes once a month. You might spend a night every other week cleaning up open issues on your project. Sweeping is a tremendously powerful technique because it frees you up from over-engineering perfection up front or trying to over-police something with a bunch of gates. You let the work run its course; then you do a cleanup when you have a better vantage point or when you can batch the work. This also helps you avoid death by a thousand paper cuts.
# '''Switch Hats.''' One technique to change your mindset is to imagine putting on an imaginary hat. Maybe in school you remember putting your thinking cap on. You can use different hats for different purposes. For example, you might need an analytical hat. You might also need a hat for “kicking arse and taking names.” You might need a hat for more tedious or mundane activities. Switching hats will help you switch modes. You’ll improve your overall effectiveness by changing your mindset to match the challenge in front of you. Note that some people like to literally wear different hats for different purposes.
# '''Test Your Results.''' Test your results quickly to find out what you know, don’t know, and need to know next. It’s easy to talk yourself out of something or to analyze yourself into a string of impossibilities. Instead, do a quick dry run, or try a show and tell of your results to see what you can do. One effective way is to timebox and see what sort of results you can produce in an hour. This will quickly tell you where your bottlenecks might be or where you need help.
# '''Tests for Success.''' If you know what good looks like, it’s easier to move towards your target. A lot of failed results are actually failures to define success. You can think of this as test-driven results. Basically, you should have a strawman in mind of what good looks like; then, you readjust as you go along and learn more.
# '''Worst Things First.''' Start your day with the worst things first. It’s when you have the most energy. Rather than having something loom over you throughout the day, you can take it off your plate early and enjoy the rest of your day.

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Principles

JD — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:32:05 GMT

JD: Created page with 'These are the ten principles that Agile Results is based on: ==10 Principles== Principles are simply a set of guiding rules. Here are the key principles for Agile Results: # '…'

These are the ten principles that Agile Results is based on:

==10 Principles==
Principles are simply a set of guiding rules. Here are the key principles for Agile Results:
# '''80/20 Action.''' Rather than spend 80 percent stuck in analysis and only 20 percent doing, it's about shifting to spend 80 percent of your time in action.
# '''Change Your Approach.''' Tune and adjust as you go. If it’s not working, let it go.
# '''Continuous Learning.''' As you change and as things change around you, use your learning to improve your results.
# '''Deliver Incremental Value.''' Find a way to flow value. Chunking up your results helps you build momentum. It also helps you build credibility with yourself and others. Rather than wait for a big bang at the end, you can flow value.
# '''Less Is More.''' Bite off what you can chew and reduce work that’s in flight.
# '''Factor Action from Reference.''' You should keep your action items separate from reference. This helps reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.
# '''Set Boundaries.''' Set boundaries in terms of time or energy. Consider boundaries for the following Hot Spots: mind, body, emotions, career, financial, relationships, and fun. The key is to have a minimum in some categories and a maximum in others.
# '''Fix Time, Flex Scope.''' Treat time as a first-class citizen. First set time boundaries. Next, bite off what you can chew within those boundaries.
# '''Rhythm of Results.''' Focus on daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly results. Building a rhythm builds a habit that you don't have to think about. The habit becomes a ritual that produces a feeling of accomplishment.
# '''Version Your Results.''' You can improve your results on each pass. Version 3 will be better than version 2 which will be better than version 1. This helps you fight perfectionism and produce incremental results.

Values

JD — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:29:42 GMT

JD:

These are the values that Agile Results is based on:

== 10 Values ==
# '''Action over Analysis Paralysis'''. Taking action is the best antidote for analysis paralysis. Rather than over-engineer or try to figure out everything up front, start taking action. Your results will inform your thinking, and you can change your course as needed.
# '''Approach over Results'''. You can’t control your results. You can control your attitude, actions, and response. Use your results as a gauge and for feedback.
# '''Energy over Time'''. Focus on keeping your energy strong. You’ll get more done in one power hour than throwing lots of hours at a problem when you just don’t have the energy. In addition to eating right, sleeping well, and working out, the key to energy is following your passion and living your values.
# '''Focus over Quantity'''. It’s not about doing more. It’s about focusing on the right things. Focus is your force multiplier.
# '''Good Enough over Perfection'''. Don’t let perfectionism get in the way. It’s better to produce something that you can improve or iterate on, than to continuously block yourself while striving for perfection.
# '''Growth Mindset over Fixed Mindset'''. A growth mindset means that you can learn and respond. A fixed mindset means that you think something was born that way and won’t change. By adopting a growth mindset, you help avoid learned helplessness. You also pay more attention to your situation and feedback. You also become more flexible in your approach. This flexibility is your key to results. It’s how you will improve over time.
# '''Outcomes over Activities'''. Spending more time or doing more things isn’t a good measure of productivity. Results are the best measure. By focusing on your results instead of your activities, you can place value on where you spend your time. By getting clarity on what you want to accomplish, you can be flexible in your approach.
# '''Strengths over Weaknesses'''. Spend more time in your strengths than in your weaknesses. Rather than spend all your energy improving your weaknesses, spend your energy maximizing your strengths. You’ll get more payback. If you do work on your weaknesses, then focus on reducing your key liabilities.
# '''System over Ad Hoc'''. Having a system for results is a powerful thing. It gives you a firm foundation. You can experiment more. When you get off track, you have something to fall back on or to turn to when you need it. By having a system for the basics, you can move yourself up the stack and automatically invest yourself in higher level matters. Most importantly, you free your mind by having trusted places to look and a trusted process to fall back on.
# '''Value Up over Backlog Burndown'''. Rather than just work through your backlog, think in terms of creating value. This can be value for yourself, other people, or your employer. This is a value-up strategy. By thinking in terms of value up, you get in the habit of asking, “What’s the next best thing to do?”

How To - Focus

JD — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:08:25 GMT

JD:

-- J.D. Meier

==Summary==

This How To is a step-by-step article to show you how to improve your focus and direct your attention with skill. By using proven practices you can improve how you spend your attention span, and you can improve your focus to achieve better, faster, simpler results.

==Contents==

* Objectives

* Overview

* Summary of Steps

* Step 1. Identify Your Objective.

* Step 2. Identify Your Reward System.

* Step 3. Set a Time Limit.

* Step 4. Identify Your Approach.

* Step 5. Dump Your Distractions

* 3 Ways to Refocus

* Common Scenarios and Solutions

* Troubleshooting Your Focus

* Additional Resources

==Objectives==

* Hold a clear picture in your mind of what you want to accomplish.

* Narrow your focus to your top priority.

* Improve your ability to direct your attention.

* Improve your ability to focus for a day, a week, a month, or more.

==Overview==

Your ability to focus is your ability to direct your attention. To improve your focus, you need to get your mind, body, and emotions on your side.

Your mind can be distracted by wandering thoughts or by spreading your attention across too many things. Your body can be distracted because it’s uncomfortable or you haven’t taken care of your basic needs. Your emotions can distract you because your heart is not in it, or you have a conflict in what you want to spend time on, or you have emotional issues that are distracting your mind.

To improve your focus, it helps to decide on what you want to accomplish, set a time limit, eliminate any distractions, and focus on what you want to accomplish during that time frame. Additionally, it helps to create a comfortable workspace, and to anticipate your body’s needs, whether that means dealing with thirst, dealing with hunger, or going to the bathroom.

==Summary of Steps==

* Step 1. Identify Your Objective.
* Step 2. Identify Your Reward System.
* Step 3. Set a Time Limit.
* Step 4. Identify Your Approach.
* Step 5. Dump Your Distractions

==Step 1. Identify Your Objective.==

Get clear on what you want to focus on and why. This is the most important step. This is where you choose what to focus on. This is where you ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve?” This helps you form a clear picture in your mind of what you want to accomplish. This picture will remind you of your focus. The key is to identify both “what” you want to accomplish and “why” it matters. Keep it simple. Keep it clear. The key to keeping it simple and clear is to state the goal in one line, and see a simple picture of success that you can hold in your mind.

===Get a Good Mental Picture===

To create a simple mental picture to focus on:

# Say what you want as a one-line goal – “I want to finish this book,” “I want to get in the best shape of my life,” “I want to create a clutter-free workspace,” “I want to finish my presentation,” etc.
# Visualize what success will look like. See it as a simple picture. This is the picture you’ll hold in your mind and use to remind you of your focus.
# Imagine how you’ll feel when you achieve your results. Will you simply feel good or will you feel great?
# Identify why you want to achieve this. Keep it simple, but keep it compelling. It can be for you, or it can be for someone else.
# Connect it to your values. One way to make your focus is meaningful is to connect what you’re doing to your values. For example, you might value excellence, or learning, or growth, or fun. If you value fun, make it a game. If you value learning, find a way to learn something new while you go. If you value excellence, find a way to improve your approach.

By having a simple way to state your goal, you can remind yourself of your focus. By having a simple picture, you can work backwards from the goal. You can use this picture to inspire yourself to action. You can also use this picture to guide you on your path, and this picture also gives you a simple way to refocus when you fall off track.

Note -- One way to empower yourself with more focus and inspiration is to focus on something bigger than yourself – for the greater good. This is especially powerful if you value contribution or helping lift others up or giving back.

===Write it Down===

Write down your objective and the action steps to get there is a simple way to focus. It’s a quick reminder, and it helps free up your mind to improve your focus. Use simple lists and bullets both as a way to map out your path, and as reminders. You can use lists and writing things down to help you focus, whether it’s for a simple task, or to plan your day, week ,month or year.

To use writing to improve your focus:

# Write down your goals. List them as simple bullet points. Having a simple list will remind you of what you want to accomplish.
# Write down action steps or tasks for your goals. This will make it easy for you to always know your next action or task, without having to work too hard trying to remember what comes next. This will help you stay focused, especially when you are overloaded or overwhelmed.

==Step 2. Identify Your Reward System==

Identify a reward system that that makes it satisfying to retain your focus. People that are best at focusing have an internal reward system. It is the reward or satisfaction that makes focus work. Here are ways to develop an internal reward system:

# '''Focus on personal effectiveness'''. Gain satisfaction from the focusing itself, build a mental model of yourself as a focused person and act that out.
# '''Focus on a job well done'''. In this case, the result is the reward. Focus on something that you know will be very satisfying to complete. Once you are done, that result is your reward.
# '''Link it to good feelings'''. Find a way to feel good as you are focusing. If you feel good while you focus, you will naturally do so more often. This might mean reminding yourself *why* you are doing it. This might mean simply acknowledging yourself for making the effort. This might mean changing “how” you are doing it. Remind yourself little wins can go a long way for full engagement.

You can also use external rewards. Give yourself a reward once you are successful, something external that will be satisfying to you. Make sure it is something you control.

The benefit of the internal reward is that you control it, and it’s with you wherever you go. Additionally, focusing on internal rewards helps you avoid negative patterns. Some negative patterns include:

# Negative thinking about yourself, such as thinking of yourself as scatterbrained, or unable to focus. Instead, you focus on the opportunity to improve your ability. You can simply focus on the practice, or the performance of the task.
# Negative thinking about the activity, such as thinking about how much you don’t enjoy the activity. Instead, you focus on the *why* that makes it meaningful, or the *how* that makes it enjoyable.

==Step 3. Set a Time Limit==

Set a time limit to stay focused. Setting a time limit will help you stay focused. For example spend 20 minutes working on your goal. It’s easier to stay focused when you know it’s not forever. Also, having a time frame will help you pace yourself. Most importantly, you can use different strategies for staying focused for different time frames.

There are a variety of different time frames and you have to choose the most appropriate one for what you want to accomplish for your goal. Your time frame may not complete the goal, but it will get you further along. Then you can choose another time frame.

Here are some example time frames for focus:

* You can focus for 5 minutes.

* You can focus for 20 minute intervals

* You can focus for the day.

* You can focus for the week.

* You can focus on something for the month.

* You can focus on something for the year.

The more focused the time frame, the greater power you have to truly dedicate your focus to that one task.

If you have a hard time focusing, the trick is to start with a small time frame and gradually increase your attention span. Focus is like a muscle – the more you work at it, the stronger it gets. By practicing in intervals, you can learn to focus for 5 minute, 10 minute, 20 minute intervals. If you can focus without distractions for 20 minutes at a clip, you can dramatically improve your productivity, while reducing your task switching. In fact, a common success pattern is to focus for 20 minutes, then take a five minute break, especially when studying or doing knowledge-intensive work. Taking breaks will help you recharge and refocus.

Note – Using a metaphor can help you stay focused. For example, if you have a challenge and it feels like you’re hitting a wall, use a metaphor like “blasting through the wall” or “scaling the wall.” This will help you pace yourself as well as stay in the right mindset. If your mindset is working for you, then change the metaphor you are using to represent the challenge.

==Step 4. Identify Your Approach==

Identify your approach or strategy for focus. Having a strategy that works for you will help you improve over time. If your current approach is not working, then you can explore and test other approaches. One of the simplest approaches to test is to see how much you can do within your time limit. This makes it a game and frees you from analysis paralysis and perfectionism.

Here are some examples of common approaches:

* Focus on just getting something done within the time limit. Stay focused until your time limit is up. Focus on spending the time on it until your time runs out.

* Focus on quantity. Do as many or as much as you can until the time runs out.

* Focus on quality. Focus on doing a great job within the time limit.

* Make a fast pass through and then go back and drill down in more detail. This is a focus on speed, but not necessarily quantity. It’s more about going across before diving down.

* Make a game of it. Find a way to have fun.

* Test yourself. Challenge yourself to beat your record.

* Improve your skill. Use the time you are already spending to get better at what you do.

You can combine strategies. The trick is to pick a strategy and run with it. If it’s not working, then change your approach.

==Step 5. Dump Your Distractions.==

Make a time and place for things Clear away internal and external distractions. If you have a time and place for things, this will help you quickly eliminate common distractions.

===Clear Away Internal Distractions===

# '''Address your body.''' Deal with any thirst, hunger, or bathroom needs.
# '''Clear your mind.''' Dump what’s on your mind down on paper. Create a simple parking lot for thoughts, ideas, and distractions. This will free up your mind to focus on the task at hand. Simply write everything that is on your mind down on paper so that you can go back to it later. If something else pops up on your mind, simply add it to this list.
# '''Respond to your self-talk'''. If your self-talk or mental chatter or internal questions are distracting you, then simply write them down. Remind yourself that now is not the time. Write it down and deal with it later. Remind yourself that you carved out this time to focus on the task at hand. When you have a time and place for things, it’s easier to focus and to refocus.

===Clear Away External Distractions===

You know what distracts you. Structure yourself for success. Here are some reminders of things that can be distractions:

# '''Clear your workspace'''. If you declutter your workspace, you’ll have less things in your way to tug at your attention.
# '''Shut down any communication distractions.''' This includes phones, email, social media, etc.
# '''Address any people distractions'''. Let others know you don’t want to be disturbed. One simple way to make this easier is to let people know when you are available and when it’s a better time to interrupt you. What’s not effective is when people have to keep guessing at when they can interact with you.
# '''Address any site, smell, or sound distractions'''. For example, if there is noise you can’t eliminate, then find your favorite music or find a way to add white noise. If there are shiny objects that keep calling your name, then get them out of your site.
# '''Address any comfort distractions'''. This includes making sure that temperate is not an issue. Makes sure you can find a comfortable position, so that your body is not distracting you.

==3 Ways to Refocus==

To keep yourself on track, you need a few simple ways to refocus:

# '''Change the Question'''. You can change your focus by changing your question. If you find yourself focusing on the wrong things, then try changing your question. For example, instead of asking yourself, “Why am I so slow?”, you might ask yourself, “How can I speed up?” You might ask yourself, “What are three things I want out of this exercise?” Whenever you get distracted or lose focus, rather than “tell” yourself to focus, simply refocus by changing the question.
# '''Remind yourself of the goal'''. If you lose focus, simply remind yourself of what you want to accomplish. Don’t beat yourself up over getting off track. Instead, use that same energy to focus and make progress on your goal.
# '''Find a way to chart your progress'''. It doesn’t have to be sophisticated. It could be crossing off items on a list, or writing marks down on a board. By charting your progress, you’ll remind yourself to refocus on the goal.

==Common Scenarios and Solutions==

Here are some common scenarios and how to address them:

* '''How To Focus Now'''. Ask yourself, what do you want out of this moment? Ask yourself, how can you get more XYZ out of this moment?
* '''How To Focus for 20 Minute Intervals'''. Set a goal. Use a timer.
* '''How To Focus for a Day'''. Identify three outcomes or wins that you want for the day. Set a mid-day checkpoint, and a checkpoint at the end of the day, to check your results.
* '''How To Focus for a Week'''. On Mondays, identify three outcomes or wins that you want for the week. Set a time on Fridays, to review your results. Set a checkpoint mid-week to evaluate your progress. Review your three goals for the week each day.
* '''How To Focus for Month'''. At the start of the month, identify three outcomes that you want for the month. On Mondays, review your three goals for the month. Each Friday, review your progress towards your three outcomes for the month. Set a checkpoint mid-month to re-evaluate your three outcomes for the month. Consider making your focus a 30 Day Improvement Sprint, where each day you invest a small amount of time or go for little wins that add up over the month.
* '''How To Focus for a Year'''. Identify three wins for the year. Assign deadlines for your wins for the year to specific months on the calendar. Review your progress towards your wins each month. If your focus requires significant investment, then consider making one of your items a theme for a given month, and add extra focus to your goal for 30 days.
* '''How To Focus for a Lifetime'''. Identify three wins that you want for your life. Periodically invest a month, such as a 30 Day Improvement Sprint, to focus on one of these achievements.

==Troubleshooting Your Focus==

We all have our days. Sometimes it will be easier to focus than others. Don’t get discouraged. Instead, take action. Here are some things you can try to address your issues with focus:

# '''Change the questions you are using'''. If you are using questions to change your focus, but they aren’t working, then try some new questions. This is the simplest way to really hone in on which questions help you achieve the best focus, and the best part is they should be highly reusable, every time you need them. You will get better over time.
# '''Change the time frame'''. If 20 minutes is too long, then try 5 minutes. If 30 minutes is too short, then try 40. Experiment to find your sweet spot. For example, for many people, their sweet spot is 20 minutes of intense focus, and then take a 5 or 10 minute break.
# '''Change your approach'''. If a time limit isn’t working, then try a quantity limit, such as “identify five items.” If a quantity limit isn’t working, then try a quality limit, and see how good you can do. Find a way to connect it to your values. For example, if you like adventure, than make it an adventure. If you like to learn, then make it a learning exercise. If you like excellence, then make it about excellence.
# '''Change your pace'''. Try speeding up or slowing down. If you can create a sense of urgency, then you may find it easier to stay fully engaged. If you find that creating a sense of urgency stresses you out, then slow down you r pace and focus on skill and quality.
# '''Change the time or change the place'''. When all else fails, one of the best ways to change your results is to change the time or change the place. Maybe you can focus better at night or vice-versa. Maybe you need to try another room, or try another place entirely. The key is to find what works for you, and then to understand *why* it works for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that stress can work against your focus. If you keep finding yourself in stressful scenarios, than remind yourself to focus on what you control and let the rest go. One of the best ways to deal with stress is to take action, and if you take focused action, using the steps above, then you can help cope with any stressful situations that you face.

==Additional Resources==

* [[Focus Checklist]]

* [[Focus Guidelines]]

==Contributors and Reviewers==

* Alik Levin, Jason Taylor

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How To - Use Agile Results with Evernote

JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:52:12 GMT

JD:

-- J.D. Meier

==Summary==

This article shows you how to implement Agile Results with Evernote. Agile Results is a way to get faster, simpler, and better results in work and life. With Evernote, you can easily implement Agile Results including The Rule of Three, Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection, and Hot Spots. While your setup time may vary, it’s possible to set it up in as little as 5 – 10 minutes.

==Contents==

* Objectives

* Overview

* Summary of Steps

* Step 1 – Create your Base Set of Notebooks

* Step 2 – Add Your Hot Spots

* Step 3 – Add a New Note to Daily Outcomes

* Step 4 – Add a New Note to Weekly Outcomes

* Step 5 – Add New Notes to Your Queues

==Objectives==

* Learn how to use Evernote for implementing Getting Results the Agile Way

* Create a simple map of what’s important

* Identify three outcomes for the week

* Identify three outcomes for the day

==Overview==

Getting Results the Agile Way is a way to get faster, simpler, and better results in work and life. It does so by integrating some of the most effective methods for thinking, feeling, and doing to help you unleash your best. Enjoy a fresh start each day and each week. Each day, simply create a new note, and write down your three outcomes for the day. Each week, simply create a new note, and write down your three outcomes for the week.

There are three fundamental keys to Getting Results the Agile Way:

# The Rule of Three

# Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, and Friday Reflection

# Hot Spots

You get out what you put in. That’s why it scales up and down. On your first pass through, skip any parts where you get stuck and go back later – it’s incremental and iterative and gets easier as you go

==Before You Begin==

Before you begin, you should install Evernote from http://www.evernote.com/ .

==Summary of Steps==

* Step 1 – Create your Base Set of Notebooks

* Step 2 – Add Your Hot Spots

* Step 3 – Add a New Note to Daily Outcomes

* Step 4 – Add a New Note to Weekly Outcomes

* Step 5 – Add New Notes to Your Queues

==Step 1 – Create Your Base Set of Notebooks==

In this step, you create five notebooks. Here is a mock up of how that would look in Evernote:

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 1.png]]

Create the following notebooks:

* 1_Hot Spots

* 2_Backlog

* 3_Queues

* 4_Daily Outcomes

* 5_Weekly Results

Hot Spots will be for keeping a simple map of what’s on your plate. Backlog is where you put lists of ideas or things that you aren’t currently working on, but you would like to get to at some point. Queues is where you put a list for each project or role or ongoing activity. Daily Outcomes is where you make a new To-Do list each day and identify three outcomes that you want to achieve for the day. Weekly Results is where you make a new list each week and identify three main outcomes or results you want to achieve for the week. The Daily Outcomes help you guide your action for the day, while the Weekly Outcomes help you guide your action for the week.

==Step 2 – Add Your Hot Spots Lists==

In this step, you create three new notes. Here is a mock up of how that would look in Evernote:

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 2A.png]]

Create three new notes:

# Life Hot Spots

# Personal Hot Spots

# Work Hot Spots

In your Life Hot Spots, list your big areas of focus. Here is a starter set that you can customize: mind, body, emotions, career, financial, relationships, and fun. In your Personal Hot Spots note, make a list of what’s on your plate outside of work, including any personal projects, any ongoing activities that take your time and energy, and any key roles that you play. In your Work Hot Spots make a list of what’s on your plate, including any projects, any ongoing activities or recurring tasks, and any roles you play. Here is an example of listing out the Life Hot Spots:

[[image: How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 2B.png]]

Important – when you list out your Personal Hot Spots and Work Hot Spots, don’t put what you think it should be. Instead, simply dump out whatever is top of mind. The purpose is to first create a simple map of what’s on your plate, or what’s on your radar, so that you can see at a glance where your time and energy go. Because these are simply lists, they are easy to scan. When you can easily see what’s on your plate, you can better prioritize and focus, as well as negotiate what’s on your plate.

==Step 3 – Add a New Note to Daily Outcomes==

In this step, add a new note to your Daily Outcomes notebook and name it today’s date. In this case, I’ll name it 2010-10-11 to represent October 10, 2010. Add three outcomes to your list. Here is an example:

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 3A.png]]

===Key Points===

* The naming is important. Name each note using the date.

* Simply use today’s date. This makes it easy to make a new note without worrying about titles.

* Use the format YYYY-MM-DD to represent the year, month, and day. For example, I used 2010-10-11, to represent October 11, 2010, which is a Monday. This is important so that you can sort your notes and easily scan through them in order.

===Create a New Note in Daily Outcomes Each Day===

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 3B.png]]

===Bubble Up Three Outcomes and Shove Your Tasks Down===

If you have a lot of tasks for the day, you can include them in the list. Simply make sure that you keep your three main outcomes at the top of the list, and shove the rest of your tasks below that. This way, at any point in the day, you always know with a glance what your three main results are for the day. This will help you simplify your day, as well as focus and prioritize. It also makes your tasks more meaningful because they are part of your three outcomes.

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 3C.png]]

==Step 4 – Add a New Note to Weekly Outcomes==

In this step, you add a new note to your Weekly Outcomes notebook and you identify three outcomes for the week. Here is an example:

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 4A.png]]

===Key Points===

* The naming is important. Name each note using the date.

* Simply use Monday’s date for the week that you are on. This makes it easy to make a new note without worrying about titles.

===Create a New Note in Weekly Outcomes on Mondays===

Since these are Weekly Outcomes, you would make a new note each week, on Monday. Monday is a simple anchor point to remind you to figure out your three outcomes for the week. Here is an example showing how the next couple of Weekly Outcome notes would be titled with Monday’s date.

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 4B.png]]

Note – Personally, I tend to create my weekly outcomes either Sunday night or Monday morning. In any event, I still name my note the current Monday that I’m on. It’s a simple convention and it’s stood the test of time.

==Step 5 – Add New Notes to Your Queues==

In this step, add a new note to your Queue for each of your ongoing activity, project, and roles. This notebook is called a Queue because it’s where you “queue” things up. You can only do so much in a day. Use your Queue to dump your actions or outcomes that are important for each of your projects, ongoing activities, or role. By having a list for each one, you have one place to look when you need to figure out what’s important or what your next best thing to do is.

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 5A.png]]

[[image:How To - Use Getting Results the Agile Way with Evernote - Step 5B.png]]

==Additional Resource==

* For more information on getting started with Getting Results the Agile Way, see “Getting Started with Agile Results.”

* For more information on timeboxing, see “How To – Use Timeboxing for Getting Results.”

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Case Studies 1

JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:20:33 GMT

JD: Created page with 'The follow are real stories from real people, each with a story of how they made choices and changes. They are showcased so that you can understand the thoughts and strategies b…'

The follow are real stories from real people, each with a story of how they made choices and changes. They are showcased so that you can understand the thoughts and strategies behind what they did to adopt Getting Results the Agile Way as their personal results system for work and life.

A short synopsis:

* Case Study #1: [[Praveen Rangarajan Success Story]] -- Praveen is not a "process" guy, but Agile Results gave him just enough structure to support his everyday things. Using Agile Results he learned to improve his results at both work and life in a more systematic way.
* Case Study #2: [[Dennis Groves Success Story]] -- Dennis went from overwhelmed to on top of his game and driving his day.
* Case Study #3: [[Rob Boucher Success Story]] -- Rob added just enough process and structure to balance his work and life as a creative artist and free spirit.
* Case Study #4: [[Jason Taylor Success Story]] -- Jason, already a successful CTO, took his game to a new level, by shifting from tasks to stories, learning how to fail fast, and focusing on ruthless effectiveness.
* Case Study #5: [[Anutthara Bharadwaj Success Story]] -- Anutthara, a PM at Microsoft, found her productivity and email nirvana by adopting the Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection pattern.
* Case Study #6: [[Tim Kropp Success Story]] -- Tim, an Information Security Program Manager, went from overwhelmed, overworked, and behind to simple and effective results.

Testimonials 1

JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:19:08 GMT

JD: Created page with 'Welcome to the Testimonials page for Getting Results the Agile Way! == Watch a Video == {{#ev:youtube|p5o0JhIh784|300||Ed Jezierski on Getting Results the Agile Way.}} Be s…'

Welcome to the Testimonials page for Getting Results the Agile Way!

== Watch a Video ==
{{#ev:youtube|p5o0JhIh784|300||Ed Jezierski on Getting Results the Agile Way.}}

Be sure to also checkout the[[Video Buzz| videos of real people getting real results.]]

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== What Readers Say ... ==
* [[image:JasonTaylor.png|100px| link= | Jason Taylor |left|]] "''It's all too easy for me to put my head down and focus on tasks without considering the bigger picture of what I am working toward. Agile results forces me to '''see the forest for the trees''', to constantly change my perspective and view-scope so that I am not only working efficiently but also working effectively toward maximum results.''"

-- '''Jason Taylor, CTO, Security Innovation'''

* [[image:DennisGroves.png|100px| link= | Mark Curphey |left|]] "''Working with J.D. Meier has been one of the most valuable personal development period in my life. He has taught me to develop habits via '30 day improvement sprints' that have transformed my life. In the year that I have been coached by J.D. Meier, he has taught me to be 400% more productive. '''This is like having an extra 6 hours a day, everyday, for the rest of my life!''' And, in all honesty I have barely begun to scratch the surface of the things he has shared with me.''"

-- '''Dennis Groves, Co-Founder OWASP'''

* [[image:Janine.png|100px| link= | Janine |left|]] “''JD is the go-to-guy for getting results, and Agile Results demonstrates his distinct purpose – he shows '''how anyone can do anything, better'''. This book has simple, effective, powerful tools and ideas that are easy enough for everyone to apply in their work and lives, so that they get the results they’d like, even the impossible and the unexpected.''”

-- '''Janine de Nysschen, Changemaker and Purpose Strategist, Whytelligence'''
<br clear="all" />

* "''Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count. In our rapidly changing world, JD Meier offers a comprehensive clarity to sort through the often confusing cloud of complexity and '''find the real opportunity in our lives'''. I'm actually amazed at how much I learned from the first read through. Can't wait to go deeper with it, and there's plenty of depth. He packs powerful ideas that can turn your ideas into action onto every page, and the way he brings them to life makes it a real pleasure to read. More to the point, JD gets it (and you will too!) Time flies and agility is key. If you care about results, if you care about making your life count, Agile Results can take you further, faster and with more fun towards the results you desire.''"

-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author, speaker, trainer, coach, The Art of Change LLC'''

* "''Working in disaster response and developing countries usually puts me in complex and even vexing situations. It is easy to fall into a rut of doing tasks with no priority or losing track of the big picture, and in our small team time is precious. Agile Results fits my work well - '''it reinforces natural practices that put outcomes and adaptation at the center of the day'''''."

-- '''Eduardo Jezierski, VP of Engineering, InSTEDD'''

* “''When I was looking at where my life would go next, I actually specifically decided to work worth J.D. because I knew that just being in his presence would change my ineffective patterns, and I’ve not been disappointed. He simply oozes improvement. It’s hard to be around him and not get some on you. I had a large issue with making mistakes and as a result, a lot of fear around doing things I didn’t immediately understand. Through J.D.’s coaching, '''I have shifted this pattern and many others that I had struggled with for many years'''. His models, analysis and opinions are well worth the time spent studying them. I continue to use his material as a catalyst for my personal growth.''“

-- '''Rob Boucher, Independent Consultant'''

* "''For a guy like me, who has always been results oriented, JD's blogs on achieving results are "GEMS". To achieve results, you should have tremendous sense of yourself and your surrounding. And to do so for long periods requires mastery. JD is a master. I have always been overwhelmed by most of his blog posts. It never ceases to amaze me how each of his blog post relate to me, as a professional, friend, entrepreneur, brother, son and a human being. JD never teaches, never advices - he shares. I always believe that sharing is more personal, it makes you involved, '''a feeling of "give it a shot. Might just be my answer"'''. Sharing is neither preaching nor axiomatic. It is the transition of one's "I have done it and worked" to "you could try the same too". JD probably never intended for this, but my learning from his lessons on leadership, results and success - Success cannot be compared with results, just like apples and oranges. Results are what you want to achieve. For some, to be successful will be the ultimate result. Plan for your result, follow a process. In the end, you will be happy, which in itself is a success.''"

-- '''Praveen Rangarajan, Senior Solutions Analyst'''

|

== Results at Microsoft ... ==

* "''JD’s ability to understand and cut to the real issues and then apply techniques that have proven to be successful in other situations is legendary at Microsoft. Over the years I have learnt that he will not recommend something or someone unless he believe it the entire value chain, '''making the advice you get even more potent'''. It’s a little like a whirlwind and you have to be prepared for a ride but if you want results and you want them fast, you talk to JD.''"

-- '''Mark Curphey, Product Unit Manager, Microsoft'''

* "''For over a decade I’ve allowed myself to be driven by external demands. Again and again my most urgent and important tasks went undone, yet I was powerless to fix it. I met deadlines and found professional success—but the price of admission was an unsustainable burden that found me desperate and sometimes even in despair. Then a friend introduced me to Agile Results. J.D.’s writing resonated with me. The Rule of 3 has provided clarity, teaching me to devote laser-like focus to my most important tasks. Combined with the Monday Vision and Friday Reflection I’ve established the rhythm of results of which J.D. speaks. '''The price of success is now affordable, sustainable, and more satisfying'''. The simple, flexible, and now obvious imperatives of Agile Results are allowing me to seize my life back.''"

-- '''Jimmy May, Principal Performance Engineer, Microsoft'''

* "''It was huge privilege for me working together with J.D. as he is industry recognized leader for professional guidance in areas such as software security, performance, and architecture. Using J.D.'s content I was able to deliver professional services to customers' highest satisfaction – in terms of quality and time – something that customers value the most. The evidence for my success is that I have returning customers which only proves it. In short J.D.'s professional materials helped me becoming a very successful professional consultant. The biggest surprise for me was when I was exposed to J.D.'s work in Personal Development area. I was exposed to the topics such as time management, prioritization, coping with tough bosses, emotional intelligence, and many more. While all these are not new, J.D. was successful to carry out the main message very effectively and efficiently for each, so that it was easy for me to put it in practice and get results instantly. '''Applying those practices helped me reduce stress at home and work''', I spend more time with my family, I never work more than 45 hours a week, I hit my numbers, I got a promotion, I made new friends, I focus on stuff that matters, I started living more fulfilling life with true meaning. In short I was exposed to The Business of Life . And I am grateful for that to J.D.''"

-- '''Alik Levin, Microsoft Consulting'''

* "''J.D. Meier has been instrumental in my ability to manage the heavy volumes of email my job requires. Over 150 -300 actionable items per day can become overwhelming. J.D. provides a comprehensive approach in not only handling the influx of information, but also has helped me to prioritize at a higher level. Being able to think of breaking the day, the week, and the month into manageable chunks has kept my sanity. He has '''not only helped me to prioritize daily work, but the bigger picture of life'''. While I have tried other organizational tricks and tips, J.D. Meier’s methods have stuck with me and improved my work/ life balance. What I appreciate the most about J.D. is his willingness to keep coming back and work with me to refine my methods, his encouragement to take what works and adjust what doesn’t, and his enthusiasm to see me succeed! I have recommended him to all my co-workers and peers!''"

-- '''Chenelle Bremont, Microsoft X-Box team'''

|}

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Testimonials 2

JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:59:13 GMT

JD:

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<font size="+3">Testimonials for Getting Results the Agile Way</font>

Stories, Reviews, and Testimonials

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|-
| style="color:#000"|<div style="padding-left:1em">

# [[Anutthara Bharadwaj Success Story]] -- Anutthara, a PM at Microsoft, found her productivity and email nirvana by adopting the Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection pattern.
# [[Dennis Groves Success Story]] -- Dennis went from overwhelmed to on top of his game and driving his day.
# [[Jason Taylor Success Story]] -- Jason, already a successful CTO, took his game to a new level, by shifting from tasks to stories, learning how to fail fast, and focusing on ruthless effectiveness.
# [[Praveen Rangarajan Success Story]] -- Praveen is not a "process" guy, but Agile Results gave him just enough structure to support his everyday things. Using Agile Results he learned to improve his results at both work and life in a more systematic way.
# [[Rob Boucher Success Story]] -- Rob added just enough process and structure to balance his work and life as a creative artist and free spirit.
# [[Tim Kropp Success Story]] -- Tim, an Information Security Program Manager, went from overwhelmed, overworked, and behind to simple and effective results.

</div>

|-
! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#F3ECDE;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:140%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000033;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">What Readers Say</h2>
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* [[image:JasonTaylor.png|100px| link= | Jason Taylor |left|]] "''It's all too easy for me to put my head down and focus on tasks without considering the bigger picture of what I am working toward. Agile results forces me to '''see the forest for the trees''', to constantly change my perspective and view-scope so that I am not only working efficiently but also working effectively toward maximum results.''"

-- '''Jason Taylor, CTO, Security Innovation'''

* [[image:DennisGroves.png|100px| link= | Mark Curphey |left|]] "''Working with J.D. Meier has been one of the most valuable personal development period in my life. He has taught me to develop habits via '30 day improvement sprints' that have transformed my life. In the year that I have been coached by J.D. Meier, he has taught me to be 400% more productive. '''This is like having an extra 6 hours a day, everyday, for the rest of my life!''' And, in all honesty I have barely begun to scratch the surface of the things he has shared with me.''"

-- '''Dennis Groves, Co-Founder OWASP'''

* [[image:Janine.png|100px| link= | Janine |left|]] “''JD is the go-to-guy for getting results, and Agile Results demonstrates his distinct purpose – he shows '''how anyone can do anything, better'''. This book has simple, effective, powerful tools and ideas that are easy enough for everyone to apply in their work and lives, so that they get the results they’d like, even the impossible and the unexpected.''”

-- '''Janine de Nysschen, Changemaker and Purpose Strategist, Whytelligence'''
<br clear="all" />

* [[image:DrRichardKirschnerThumb.png|| link= | Dr. K |left|]] "''Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count. In our rapidly changing world, JD Meier offers a comprehensive clarity to sort through the often confusing cloud of complexity and '''find the real opportunity in our lives'''. I'm actually amazed at how much I learned from the first read through. Can't wait to go deeper with it, and there's plenty of depth. He packs powerful ideas that can turn your ideas into action onto every page, and the way he brings them to life makes it a real pleasure to read. More to the point, JD gets it (and you will too!) Time flies and agility is key. If you care about results, if you care about making your life count, Agile Results can take you further, faster and with more fun towards the results you desire.''"

-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author, speaker, trainer, coach, The Art of Change LLC'''

* "''Working in disaster response and developing countries usually puts me in complex and even vexing situations. It is easy to fall into a rut of doing tasks with no priority or losing track of the big picture, and in our small team time is precious. Agile Results fits my work well - '''it reinforces natural practices that put outcomes and adaptation at the center of the day'''''."

-- '''Eduardo Jezierski, VP of Engineering, InSTEDD'''

* “''When I was looking at where my life would go next, I actually specifically decided to work worth J.D. because I knew that just being in his presence would change my ineffective patterns, and I’ve not been disappointed. He simply oozes improvement. It’s hard to be around him and not get some on you. I had a large issue with making mistakes and as a result, a lot of fear around doing things I didn’t immediately understand. Through J.D.’s coaching, '''I have shifted this pattern and many others that I had struggled with for many years'''. His models, analysis and opinions are well worth the time spent studying them. I continue to use his material as a catalyst for my personal growth.''“

-- '''Rob Boucher, Independent Consultant'''

* "''For a guy like me, who has always been results oriented, JD's blogs on achieving results are "GEMS". To achieve results, you should have tremendous sense of yourself and your surrounding. And to do so for long periods requires mastery. JD is a master. I have always been overwhelmed by most of his blog posts. It never ceases to amaze me how each of his blog post relate to me, as a professional, friend, entrepreneur, brother, son and a human being. JD never teaches, never advices - he shares. I always believe that sharing is more personal, it makes you involved, '''a feeling of "give it a shot. Might just be my answer"'''. Sharing is neither preaching nor axiomatic. It is the transition of one's "I have done it and worked" to "you could try the same too". JD probably never intended for this, but my learning from his lessons on leadership, results and success - Success cannot be compared with results, just like apples and oranges. Results are what you want to achieve. For some, to be successful will be the ultimate result. Plan for your result, follow a process. In the end, you will be happy, which in itself is a success.''"

-- '''Praveen Rangarajan, Senior Solutions Analyst'''

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{{#ev:youtube|p5o0JhIh784|300||Ed Jezierski on Getting Results the Agile Way.}}

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! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#F3ECDE;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:140%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000033;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Results at Microsoft</h2>
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* [[image:MarkCurphey.png|| link= | Mark Curphey |left|]] "''JD’s ability to understand and cut to the real issues and then apply techniques that have proven to be successful in other situations is legendary at Microsoft. Over the years I have learnt that he will not recommend something or someone unless he believe it the entire value chain, '''making the advice you get even more potent'''. It’s a little like a whirlwind and you have to be prepared for a ride but if you want results and you want them fast, you talk to JD.''"

-- '''Mark Curphey, Product Unit Manager, Microsoft'''

* "''For over a decade I’ve allowed myself to be driven by external demands. Again and again my most urgent and important tasks went undone, yet I was powerless to fix it. I met deadlines and found professional success—but the price of admission was an unsustainable burden that found me desperate and sometimes even in despair. Then a friend introduced me to Agile Results. J.D.’s writing resonated with me. The Rule of 3 has provided clarity, teaching me to devote laser-like focus to my most important tasks. Combined with the Monday Vision and Friday Reflection I’ve established the rhythm of results of which J.D. speaks. '''The price of success is now affordable, sustainable, and more satisfying'''. The simple, flexible, and now obvious imperatives of Agile Results are allowing me to seize my life back.''"

-- '''Jimmy May, Principal Performance Engineer, Microsoft'''

* "''It was huge privilege for me working together with J.D. as he is industry recognized leader for professional guidance in areas such as software security, performance, and architecture. Using J.D.'s content I was able to deliver professional services to customers' highest satisfaction – in terms of quality and time – something that customers value the most. The evidence for my success is that I have returning customers which only proves it. In short J.D.'s professional materials helped me becoming a very successful professional consultant. The biggest surprise for me was when I was exposed to J.D.'s work in Personal Development area. I was exposed to the topics such as time management, prioritization, coping with tough bosses, emotional intelligence, and many more. While all these are not new, J.D. was successful to carry out the main message very effectively and efficiently for each, so that it was easy for me to put it in practice and get results instantly. '''Applying those practices helped me reduce stress at home and work''', I spend more time with my family, I never work more than 45 hours a week, I hit my numbers, I got a promotion, I made new friends, I focus on stuff that matters, I started living more fulfilling life with true meaning. In short I was exposed to The Business of Life . And I am grateful for that to J.D.''"

-- '''Alik Levin, Microsoft Consulting'''

* "''J.D. Meier has been instrumental in my ability to manage the heavy volumes of email my job requires. Over 150 -300 actionable items per day can become overwhelming. J.D. provides a comprehensive approach in not only handling the influx of information, but also has helped me to prioritize at a higher level. Being able to think of breaking the day, the week, and the month into manageable chunks has kept my sanity. He has '''not only helped me to prioritize daily work, but the bigger picture of life'''. While I have tried other organizational tricks and tips, J.D. Meier’s methods have stuck with me and improved my work/ life balance. What I appreciate the most about J.D. is his willingness to keep coming back and work with me to refine my methods, his encouragement to take what works and adjust what doesn’t, and his enthusiasm to see me succeed! I have recommended him to all my co-workers and peers!''"

-- '''Chenelle Bremont, Microsoft X-Box team'''

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JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:32:29 GMT

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<font size="+3">Getting Results the Agile Way</font>

A Simple System for Meaningful Results

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* [[About the Book | About]]
* [[Testimonials]]
* [[Case Studies]]


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* [[Manifesto]]
* [[Contact]]

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[http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults Find us on Facebook] [[File:fb.jpg | link=http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults | Fan Getting Results on Facebook]] '''·''' [http://twitter.com/GettingResults Follow us on Twitter] [[File:T_mini-c.png | link=http://twitter.com/GettingResults | Follow @GettingResults on Twitter]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss New Pages] [[Image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss | RSS for New Pages]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss Recent Changes] [[image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss | RSS for Rececent Changes]]
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<font size="3">'''Discover the the faster, simpler way to better results!'''</font> Change happens. Use [[The Rule of 3| The Rule of Three]], stories, and timeboxing, to improve your productivity, master your time management, and finally achieve work-life balance. Agile Results™ combines some of the best methods for improving your thinking, feeling, and taking action. [[About Getting Results the Agile Way |Getting Results the Agile Way]] is the book on how to make the most out of work and life. -- J.D. Meier


{|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px;"
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[[Image:BookCover.png| link=About Getting Results the Agile Way | Book Cover |left|]]
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Take the book for a test drive right here for free:

* [[Chapter 1 - Why Agile Results]]
* [[Chapter 2 - Agile Results Overview]]
* [[Chapter 3 - Values, Principles, and Practices]]
* [[Chapter 4 - Hot Spots]]
* [[Chapter 5 - Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, and Friday Reflection | Chapter 5 - Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection ]]

Browse the full [[Getting Results the Agile Way | Table of Contents]].

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The [[Knowledge Base]] includes articles, templates, and tools to make the most of what you've got:

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* [[Action]]
* [[Focus]]
* [[Goals]]
* [[Motivation]]
* [[Planning]]
* [[Priorities]]
* [[Time Management]]
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* [[Cheat Sheets]]
* [[Checklists]]
* [[Guidelines]]
* [[How Tos]]
* [[Templates]]
* [[Videos]]
* [[Visuals]]
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"<font color="#339933">Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count.</font>"

-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author'''

[[Testimonials | Read More Testimonials]] ...
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[[image:DrRichardKirschnerThumb.png | link= | Dr. Richard Kirschner]]
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Home Page 68

JD — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:01:26 GMT

JD:

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[http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults Find us on Facebook] [[File:fb.jpg | link=http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults | Fan Getting Results on Facebook]] '''·''' [http://twitter.com/GettingResults Follow us on Twitter] [[File:T_mini-c.png | link=http://twitter.com/GettingResults | Follow @GettingResults on Twitter]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss New Pages] [[Image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss | RSS for New Pages]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss Recent Changes] [[image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss | RSS for Rececent Changes]]
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<font size="4">Discover the faster, simpler way for meaningful results.</font>

"<font color="#339933">Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count.</font>"

-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author'''

[[Testimonials| <span style="color:#900">Read more reviews</span>]] ...

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[[Image:Book Cover.png|| link= | Book Cover |right|]]
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<font size="4"><b><u>[[Getting Results the Agile Way|<span style="color:#900">Read it Free Online</span>]]</u></b></font>

The complete book - 14 chapters.
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<font size="4"><u><b>[[Buy the Book|<span style="color:#900">Buy the Book</span>]]</b></u></font>

Buy the eBook or printed book.
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<font size="4"><u><b>[[Knowledge Base|<span style="color:#900">Explore the Knowledge Base</span>]]</b></u></font>


Articles, tools, and job aids for getting results.
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<font size="4"><b>About the Book</b></font>

Use stories, scenario-driven results, and timeboxing, to '''improve your results, master your time management, improve your motivation, and finally achieve work-life balance'''. Get a fresh start each day, each week, each month, each year. See [[About the Book]]

<font size="4"><b>Why the Book</b></font>

I created this system as a way to help you write your story forward. Getting results in today's landscape is tough. Our world changes faster than we can keep up. Worse, we don't always learn the right skills we need such as time management, focus, or simple productivity. Read the [[Manifesto]].

<font size="4"><b>It's a System</b></font>

It's more than a book. It's a system. Getting Results the Agile Way is a way to make the most out of work and life. Agile Results is a simple system for meaningful results that combines some of the best methods for improving your thinking, feeling, and doing. You unleash your best by spending your precious life force on the right things, at the right time, with the right energy, the right way.

<font size="4"><b>Getting Started</b></font>

You can get started in three easy steps:

# Adopt [[The Rule of 3]] to avoid overwhelm and get mindful about your results
# Adopt the [[Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection]] pattern for weekly results and a fresh start each day and each week
# Set boundaries in your [[Hot Spots]] to find work-life balance.

See our [[Getting Started with Agile Results|One-Page Guide]].

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<font size="4"><b>Watch a Video</b></font>
{{#ev:youtube|p5o0JhIh784|300||Ed Jezierski on Getting Results the Agile Way.}}

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Home Page 67

JD — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:33:11 GMT

JD:

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<font size="+3">Getting Results the Agile Way</font>

A Personal Results System for Work and Life

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* [[About Getting Results the Agile Way | About]]
* [[Testimonials]]
* [[Case Studies]]


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* [[Manifesto]]
* [[Contact]]

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{|style="width:100%;background:none;margin:-.8em 0 -.7em 0"
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[http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults Find us on Facebook] [[File:fb.jpg | link=http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults | Fan Getting Results on Facebook]] '''·''' [http://twitter.com/GettingResults Follow us on Twitter] [[File:T_mini-c.png | link=http://twitter.com/GettingResults | Follow @GettingResults on Twitter]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss New Pages] [[Image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss | RSS for New Pages]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss Recent Changes] [[image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss | RSS for Rececent Changes]]
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{|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px;"
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<font size=3>'''Agile Results™ -- a simple system for meaningful results!'''</font> Change happens. Use stories, The Rule of Three, and timeboxing, to '''improve your productivity, master your time management, and finally achieve work-life balance'''. Get a fresh start each day, each week, each month, each year. I use Agile Results to drive myself and lead teams at Microsoft and mentor people around the world -- more than 10 years in the making.

-- J.D. Meier

Browse the [[Getting Results the Agile Way | Table of Contents]].

|
[[Image:BookCover.png| link=About Getting Results the Agile Way | Book Cover |left|]]

|}

</div>

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!<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:140%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:center;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">The Knowledge Base</h2>

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| style="color:#000"|<div style="padding-left:1em">

The Knowledge Base includes includes articles, tools, and job aids for getting results:

{| width="100%"
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* [[Action]]
* [[Expectations]]
* [[Focus]]
* [[Goals]]
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* [[Motivation]]
* [[Planning]]
* [[Priorities]]
* [[Time Management]]
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[[Knowledge Base | Browse the Knowledge Base >>]]

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"<font color="#339933">Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count.</font>"

-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author'''

[[Testimonials | Read more reviews ...]]
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[[image:DrRichardKirschnerThumb.png | link= | Dr. Richard Kirschner]]
|}

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!<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#cedff2;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:140%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:center;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Getting Started</h2>
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There are 3 keys to Agile Results. To [[Getting Started with Agile Results|Get Started with Agile Results]]:

* '''Step 1'''. Adopt [[The Rule of 3]] to avoid overwhelm and get mindful about your results.
* '''Step 2.''' Adopt the [[Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection]] pattern for weekly results and a fresh start each day and each week.
* '''Step 3.''' Set boundaries in your [[Hot Spots]] to find work-life balance.

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[[Home Page Archive 1 | Archive]]

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Home Page 66

JD — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:56:48 GMT

JD:

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<font size="+3">Getting Results the Agile Way</font>

A Simple System for Meaningful Results

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* [[About the Book | About]]
* [[Testimonials]]
* [[Case Studies]]


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* [[Manifesto]]
* [[Contact]]

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{|style="width:100%;background:none;margin:-.8em 0 -.7em 0"
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[http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults Find us on Facebook] [[File:fb.jpg | link=http://www.facebook.com/gettingresults | Fan Getting Results on Facebook]] '''·''' [http://twitter.com/GettingResults Follow us on Twitter] [[File:T_mini-c.png | link=http://twitter.com/GettingResults | Follow @GettingResults on Twitter]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss New Pages] [[Image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&feed=rss | RSS for New Pages]] '''·''' [http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss Recent Changes] [[image:Rss_button.gif | link=http://GettingResults.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss | RSS for Rececent Changes]]
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<font size="3">'''Discover the the faster, simpler way to better results!'''</font> Change happens. Use [[The Rule of 3| The Rule of Three]], stories, and timeboxing, to improve your productivity, master your time management, and finally achieve work-life balance. Agile Results™ combines some of the best methods for improving your thinking, feeling, and taking action. [[About Getting Results the Agile Way |Getting Results the Agile Way]] is the book on how to make the most out of work and life. -- J.D. Meier


{|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px;"
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Take the book for a test drive right here for free:
* [[Acknowledgements]]
* [[Contents at a Glance]]
* [[Foreword]]
* [[Author's Note | A Word from the Author]]
* [[Introduction]]
* [[Chapter 1 - Why Agile Results]]
* [[Chapter 2 - Agile Results Overview]]
* [[Chapter 3 - Values, Principles, and Practices]]
* [[Chapter 4 - Hot Spots]]
* [[Chapter 5 - Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, and Friday Reflection | Chapter 5 - Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection ]]
* [[Chapter 6 - Design Your Day]]
* [[Chapter 7 - Design Your Week]]
* [[Chapter 8 - Design Your Month]]
* [[Chapter 9 - Design Your Year]]
* [[Chapter 10 - Results Frame, Personas, and Pitfalls]]
* [[Chapter 11 - 25 Keys to Results]]
* [[Chapter 12 - 25 Strategies for Results]]
* [[Chapter 13 - Motivation]]
* [[Chapter 14 - Mindsets and Metaphors]]

<b>Appendix</b>

* [[Cheat Sheet - Agile Results at a Glance]]
* [[Cheat Sheet - Supporting Practices Defined]]
* [[Template - Daily Planner]]
* [[Template - Weekly Planner]]
* [[Template - Monthly Planner]]
* [[Template - Yearly Planner]]
* [[Template - Schedule at a Glance]]
* [[How To - Adopt Agile Results]]
* [[How To - Adopt the 12 Core Practices of Agile Results]]
* [[How To - Have a Strong Week]]

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[[Image:BookCover.png| link=About Getting Results the Agile Way | Book Cover |left|]]

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There are 3 keys to Agile Results. To [[Getting Started with Agile Results|Get Started with Agile Results]]:

* '''Step 1'''. Adopt [[The Rule of 3]] to avoid overwhelm and get mindful about your results.
* '''Step 2.''' Adopt the [[Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection]] pattern for weekly results and a fresh start each day and each week.
* '''Step 3.''' Set boundaries in your [[Hot Spots]] to find work-life balance.

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"<font color="#339933">Agile Results delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count.</font>"
-- '''Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author'''

[[Testimonials | Read More Testimonials]] ...
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[[image:DrRichardKirschnerThumb.png | link= | Dr. Richard Kirschner]]
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* [[Action]]
* [[Focus]]
* [[Goals]]
* [[Motivation]]
* [[Planning]]
* [[Priorities]]
* [[Time Management]]
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* [[Cheat Sheets]]
* [[Checklists]]
* [[Guidelines]]
* [[How Tos]]
* [[Templates]]
* [[Videos]]
* [[Visuals]]
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[[Knowledge Base | Browse the Knowledge Base >>]]

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Home Page 65

JD — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:56:14 GMT

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