“Vision without execution is hallucination.”
– Thomas Edison
Decision is not the same thing as action. Decisions themselves are powerless unless we follow through. How many goals, how many items on your to-do list just linger there, never accomplished? This year learn how to execute your plan and get more done.
Decision and Action
Five frogs were sitting on a log. Four decided to jump off into the pond. How many remain? Did you answer one? Think again. The answer is all five frogs remain sitting on the log. Why? Because there is a difference between deciding and acting.
Very few people will rise above the expectations of their peer group. Those who learn how to execute their plan will not only get more done but scale up their business. When you are making goals, ask yourself:
- What do you most want to accomplish?
- What number is critical that you most want to improve?
- Why must this goal be achieved?
Pay particular attention to your why, as it is an integral part of accomplishing your goal. Your why is what will enable you to tap the resourcefulness of your team. Your team, and the strong culture that you cultivate, is what helps you get more done. Finally, write your goal in a way that removes all ambiguity as to whether or not you actually accomplished the goal.
“It’s not the lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you.”
– Tony Robbins
Clear Goals Are a Catalyst for Action
Deciding to do something doesn’t make it happen. You may spend a lot of time and effort involved in brainstorming, research, evaluation, and analysis, but the essential part of executing your plan is the action. The truth is that goals are not usually missed due to a lack of resources, but rather a lack of resourcefulness.
Generate $10 million in gross margin in the first quarter to develop strong momentum for the year.
This is a very clear goal with a strong reason why. It has a timeline and can be specifically measured. With your goal in hand, you can take some additional steps to put your goal into action.
- Identify the three to five priorities that must take place to make the goal happen.
- Build your calendar around those priorities. You’ll notice that when you put these priorities into your calendar first, you can ultimately get more done.
- Discuss your priorities weekly. Keep track of their progress and remember they are the most important items.
“Goals without routines are wishes; routines without goals are aimless. The most successful business leaders have a clear vision and the disciplines (routines) to make it a reality.”
– Verne Harnish
Measure Your Goals
Finally, take this advice from MIT Sloan: To execute strategy, leaders must set ambitious targets, translate them into specific metrics and milestones, make them transparent throughout the organization, and discuss progress frequently.
Are you ready to get more done? Make this the year you think bigger, act bolder, and make an even greater impact on your company, employees, and community. Download this worksheet to help you execute your plan and get more done.
Key Takeaways
- Decision is not the same thing as action.
- Goals are not usually missed due to a lack of resources, but rather a lack of resourcefulness.
- Set a clear goal with a strong reason why that has a time frame and can be specifically measured.
- Measure your goals and get more done with a worksheet download from Scaling Up DFW.