Execution

I’m reading this great book, Execution, (The Discipline of Getting Things Done)

When Nike chose “Just Do It” as their advertising slogan, they hit upon a true component of the success formula… the importance of execution.

I’m not talking about the type of execution that would raise the ire of death penalty opponents the world over… I’m talking about the type of execution that makes the difference between success and failure.

No matter how hard and long you plan, when it comes to where “the rubber meets the road,” as another advertising slogan said, the plan doesn’t serve you until it’s put into place.

This is the major difference between the successful person and the also-ran (or never-ran, if there is such a phrase). The successful person puts his or her plans into effect, where the unsuccessful one may plan up a storm, but never does anything about it… or if they do start, they do it only halfway.

Think, if you will, of the number of books that were envisioned by would-be novelists, but never written; of the inventions that were conceived, but never really invented; of the romances that never got into gear. Think of the plans for success that never made it off the drawing board, the savings that were never saved, the debt that was never erased, and the life that remained unchanged.

Most people, unfortunately for them, are grand planners. They come up with great designs, but never put those designs into practice. Later, when a more gutsy person puts the plan into execution, they wail and whine about lost opportunities, stolen ideas, and what “should have been.”

The truth is… if you want something to happen, you’ve got to start doing it… preferably doing it now.

When it comes down to the wire, the one who adopted the “just do it” slogan for themselves will be the winner. Others will be still stuck at the starting gate.

Is there anything you’ve got grand plans for? A novel, perhaps? A new website, a savings and investment plan, maybe lose a few pounds? No matter where your quest may take you, taking the first step… executing the plan is going to be the most important move you make.

Even the value of planning pales when compared to the value of execution.

Military leaders take great efforts to plan an engagement, but when it comes down to “zero hour,” the plan may have to go out the window.

In recent years, much has been made of the importance of companies that fast track new products to market. In such cases, many times, the product uses older ideas, that are already pre-planned and ready to go. Aircraft manufacturers, for example, use proven components in their new aircraft designs, while automobile companies share chassis, motor, and suspension parts among a variety of cars.

In these cases, the planning has already been done… and taking those pre-canned plans and putting them into effect cuts the time involved.

Now, nobody would ever want to fly on an aircraft that was not planned, but just built. No person would ever want to drive a car that was just thrown together, with no rhyme or reason to the design. Planning is important, of course… but execution is more important.

Army generals like to say that good generals study tactics but great generals study logistics. In other words, the plan is important, but the very act of achieving it… actually putting it into play… is paramount.

The coach draws the play on the chalk board, the quarterback calls the play in the huddle, but without 11 players executing their specific role in the play, there is failure. Execution is key!

Are there things in your life that you’ve planned, double planned, and set on the shelf? Take them down from that shelf, and make the first step. “Just Do It,” like Nike tells you.

Nothing gets better until someone actually does something. They must execute.

Have a great weekend.