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Executing Intentionally

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”

~ Peter Marshall


When the vision is cast, when the planning is done, the next step is to do. You must act! There is no greater reward than birthing that very thing you are passionate about, have planned for, and worked so diligently towards. The only way to achieve that is to execute.

You will need to be about the completing the tasks you have outlined for yourself in your plan. Sure, there are some tasks that will need to be done in sequence and/or prior to other tasks, but simply put, you should get to work accomplishing any and all tasks as quickly as possible. Focus on marking lines through items on your task list as complete. It should be fun and give you a jolt of motivation and don’t be afraid to gamify your work.


My friend has two glasses sitting on her desk, one full of glittery balls representing tasks on her list and the other one starts off empty. Each time she knocks out a task on her list, she moves one glittery ball to the finished glass. Her goal every day is to see a full “Done” glass. Not only does this provide serious motivation for her to continue to accomplish, but it also keeps focus and completing the task list fun.


So, let us talk about getting started and getting it done after this note of warning. There is a difference between action and motion. The very definition of action is a thing done whereas the definition of motion is movement. Be sure not to confuse the two lest you stand still.


There are times we know what should be done but unknown reasons on why we might not execute a task or that thing that you have a deep desire to do.


Could it be the fear of failure or fear of success? First, fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real, so understand that fear usually revolves around limiting beliefs about ourselves or events that may never come to pass. Second, I encourage you to redefine your perspective on failure. Failure is an event and wise people use every event as a learning opportunity on which to build future success. On the flip side, perhaps you need to clearly define what success looks like.

Whatever the reason for your fear, you should work to pinpoint what is prompting the fear emotion and plan to overcome these very natural feelings that people the world over experience. You are not alone in feeling this way but you cannot let it stop you either. Fear in any way is meant to be conquered and the only way to do that is to take daily action.


Could it be you procrastinate because you feel stuck, overthink, lack motivation, lack clarity, are overwhelmed, lack self-discipline in some areas, have unproductive habits? In all these cases, you can overcome by

1. listing out your areas of work,

2. planning out what needs to be done and by when,

3. then break down the work into smaller, more digestible chunks that won’t be overwhelming and

4. acting daily.


If you are stuck, do you lack clarity? Can you brainstorm to define why you are stuck and then work on solutions to become unstuck. If you are having problems identifying solutions, is there someone that you can ask for advice on next steps. You should focus on defining clear next steps then take action.


If you feel that you lack self-discipline or have unproductive habits I would encourage you to make shifts in your daily habits until you identify a foundational habit that will productively affect these issues of self-discipline/unproductive habits in a profound way.

See the article on “The Power of Habit” for more information on this item.


One takeaway to follow up on – learn about and understand positive self-talk. Shad Helmstetter has an amazing book entitled, “What You Say When You Talk to Yourself” that helps you to identify those messages you speak to yourself while guiding them into being more productive.


Now on to the keys to Executing Intentionally from Franklin Covey’s “4 Disciplines of Execution”:

1. Focusing on the WIG’s: Wildly Important Goals

2. Acting on Leading Measures which are predictive of future success, can be influenced, and are hard to capture; whereas Lag Measures are easy to capture but cannot be directly influenced

3. Keeping a Compelling Scoreboard

4. Creating a Cadence of Accountability

See the article on “The 4 Disciplines of Execution” for more information on this item.


To summarize, there is only so much preparation and planning you can make before the real action of doing the work comes in. Execution is simple when you keep in mind the four steps: Focus on WIG’s & Leading Measures which are influenceable, keeping a scoreboard & maintaining accountability. If you are having trouble getting started due to procrastination, fear of failure, lack of clarity, or lack self-discipline then breakdown the work, act on the work, and reach out to stay accountable for the really important goals.


Our mission at Total Win Strategies, LLC is to offer pragmatic solutions to overcome obstacles that have held you back. By implementing our 4 Disciplines for Actualization, we help you heal, explore, realize, and execute your God-given purpose with tools tailored and structured specifically for you and to your destination of LIVING LIMITLESSLY on purpose with passion to leave a legacy.  

Whatever stage you find yourself in, you can meet with a life strategist to help you identify and release the constraints keeping you from LIVING LIMITLESSLY.


References:

Franklin Covey’s “4 Disciplines of Execution”

Shad Helmstetter’s “What You Say When You Talk To Yourself”

James Clear’s “Atomic Habits”

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