Which will inspire you more: visualizing every single step of a half-mile walk or imagining the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you complete the walk?
The same contrast exists between long 'to-do' lists and short lists of outcomes and the benefits you'll enjoy from those outcomes. Stop making your chores, tasks and obligations the focus of your work. Instead make a list of what you want to accomplish each day and week, and then just do what needs to be done to reach those goals. Achieving one outcome per day will make you feel happier than crossing off a dozen items from a task-heavy to-do list.
Business speeches and presentations are always about outcomes, not about to-do lists. Don't start with a to-do list such as: decide on topic; pick slide format; enter bullets & images; write speaking notes; practice; make sure laptop works.
Start with the desired outcome, which first must be audience-focused: what does this particular audience want to be able to accomplish after listening to my speech or presentation? The answer defines your call-to-action and the rest of your content.
The secondary desired outcome is what you hope to accomplish with the speech or presentation. Your desired accomplishment must be in harmony or alignment with the audience's desired otucome. Keeping this in mind will help guide you as you select your high impact content. For example, using statistics, stories or trends that support your desired outcome will also help the audience achieve their desired outcome.
Once you've clearly articulated the audience's outcomes and your own, you will go ahead and DO what needs to be done. At the end of the work, you'll be able to check off the accomplishment and feel a sense of satisfaction for a job well done.
Focus on outcomes and then take the actions that are natural to achieving the outcomes. At the end of each week, give yourself time to savor 5 accomplishment and the benefits they generated for you.
Share how you feel when you focus on outcomes compared to your feelings when focusing on to-do lists in our comment box.
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