Goals and Execution: The Holy Grail of Achievement

“A good plan, violently executed now is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” George Patton

“To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.” Steve Jobs

“Having a vision for what you want is not enough. Vision without execution is hallucination.” Thomas A. Edison

“Ideas are a commodity. Execution of them is not.” Michael Dell

“Ideas don’t make you rich. The correct execution of ideas does.” Felix Dennis

Where the Rubber meets the Road

Dreams just remain dreams if they are not executed. The greatest frustration in our lives always comes about when we do not achieve our goals or dreams. When we have not made the necessary effort and taken the time to achieve our goals and dreams this is what will gnaw our minds endlessly and play like a broken record.

Execution is what stops the word ‘IF ONLY I HAD’ That’s what the greatest achievers avoid like the plague. They do not want to bear the pain of hearing that word in their minds. The only way they can avoid it is to ACT AND GET STUFF DONE. Yes that’s it, the greatest achievers are ruthless about execution.

Steven Pressfield in his seminal books; Turning Pro and Do the Work, demonstrates what it takes to get goals and dreams come to life. Execution is the holy grail of achievement. Nothing else matters this is where ideas and dreams meet the road. If we cannot seamlessly execute on our plans we are doomed to fail down the road.

Execution is the KING in the battle of life. Ideas and dreams are the QUEEN. Have that mentality of a ruthless operator and execute like a warrior.

Minimalism and the bare necessity

When setting out goals we need to plan carefully; do our due diligence so that the odds are weighed in our favour. We tip the probability of success to our advantage when we do our homework. When setting out targets we have to carry out the appropriate back ground research, feasibility studies, carry out the necessary DUE DILIGENCE, it’s called looking ahead and studying the terrain before you embark full speed ahead. Avoid unnecessary traps and obstacles.

We only have two resources entirely at our control. Our energy and time. When starting out we cannot afford to waste these two resources on non essentials. We need to ask ourselves what will it take me to reach my target? Strip away all non essentials and focus on the essential tasks it will take to reach there. This is why a mentor is very important get someone who has already been there and done that. It saves you headaches and heartache down the road.

Following the 80/20 rule formulated by the Italian Pareto it only takes few items to achieve what you are trying to do. Focus on the vital few tasks that are necessary to ensure you reach your goals. Discard the rest if not necessary. If we are travelling in a desert and need to reach a designated point we are forced by necessity to only carry what we require: Fuel, Water, Maps, GPS, VHF Radios, Batteries, Food and vital vehicle spares. All other items are luxuries. We need to treat our goals that way strip them to the bare necessities

Due Diligence

Due diligence is required to ensure that we take the optimal path available. If pioneers have already blazed a trail in the path you are trying to take this means that there are optimal techniques and ways that have already been devised to reach these goals. Do not reinvent the wheel unless you are sure the new techniques you are inventing can take you there faster. The goal is to save energy and time as you achieve your goals. I repeat get a mentor and avoid the traps and pitfalls.

There is where one needs to study leverage and scaling up. What can give you leverage in any situation. There is a fable about two sons who were tasked to fetch water for their respective village. One son embarked on the task as soon as possible using the traditional way. Going down the river and fetching water using mules. His brother disappeared for sometime but came back with some strangers and begun construction of a pipeline from the river to the village.

His sibling scoffed at him wondering what his younger brother was up to. Once the taps were opened and the water flowed into the village his younger brother captured the entire market. The essence of the story is LOOK before you leap. Are there better ways to achieve my goal?

Rapid Execution

Once you have done your due diligence execute the goal as fast as possible. You cannot embark on your goals half heartedly you need to go full speed ahead. Gaining momentum is key and keeping it is vital on your way to achieving your goals. Execute your goals as fast as you can. Challenge yourself to always be ahead of the curve. You are trying to achieve excellence. Excellence is not achieved by sticking to the ordinary. Overwhelm the target, be ruthless with yourself and push hard. You need to be satisfied you have given the goal all your effort. Do not let up until you reach there.

You will need to revisit the motives behind your goals each and every day. Ask yourself why I am doing this it acts as the fuel to drive you forward during hard times. Trust me you will face obstacles but if you have a strong WHY you will push past these times. Some goals are long term in nature and might take 5 years or longer to execute. You need to have a very strong motive and will that will drive you forward as you achieve these goals.