Achievement Mathematics

Every achiever and every engaged leader would like to know a simple way to improve productivity and results – a way to get more value from each day and the efforts of that day.

If that is you, you are in luck, because I am about to share with you what I call achievement mathematics.

The math isn’t any more difficult than the image here, and the synergistic value is far better than 1+1=3.  It is more like 1+1 = 11, especially when applied consistently over time.

Achievement mathematics, like any academic discipline, borrows from different ideas to create its unique properties. In this case, the wisdom comes from bringing together prioritization, time management, goal setting, and implementation.

Achievement mathematics provides the answer to the dual question – how do I achieve my goals, and how do I achieve them faster. In other words, achievement math is about massive achievement.

Here is the formula:

MA = (PxG) + DA

where:

MA =Massive Achievement

P = Purpose

G = Goal

DA =Daily Action

Here is how it works:

1. Identify your purpose – whether for your team, a particular situation or project, or personally.  I often call this purpose the “why” of your goal or vision.

2.  Connect your goals directly to this purpose.  Make sure that there is a clear and obvious connection between them. In other words, make sure that you know exactly why this goal is important to you.  The more powerful the P and the closer the connection the G, the better.

3.  Determine an action to take each day that directly moves you towards this goal.

Important Note:

Notice that the formula says “daily action” not “action when I have time, or when I’m not too busy, or when things are going well.”

Daily. The daily nature builds momentum and creates habit.  It also drives focus on the purpose and goals daily. Days missed reduces the value and speed of results in a geometric way. For maximum results, it must be every day.

Action.  Planning and thinking is important, but this formula isn’t about those things.  It is about doing something – reading, making a phone call, sending a request, something tangible and specific – every day.

Application

Achievement mathematics works best when the Daily Action is quantified and measured.

Is your goal worth spending 1% of your time to reach?  Is your purpose compelling enough for that?  If so, that means about 15 minutes per day in direct and specific action towards your goal.  You can find 15 minutes a day.  If you can’t, go back to your purpose and make sure it is important and compelling enough.

What if everyone in your organization spent 15 minutes per day in direct, conscious, focused effort in pursuit of an important organizational objective?  Do you think you would make more progress faster than you ever have before?  That is the power of this discipline.

1% of your time becomes a powerful lever for your progress.

As a leader, when you share achievement mathematics with your team, support, encourage and expect this daily activity, you will drive greater results, but also higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction.

If you want more for yourself and your team, start applying achievement mathematics today.  If you don’t have all the pieces clearly defined, start by identifying your variables – that can be your first daily action.