KrisJones.com

Isn’t it great to be alive!!!

We all have limitless ideas and the ability to accomplish practically anything we want!

Well….why don’t we?

Why is it that there are more “idea people” than “action people?”

I’m here to tell you that ideas are a dime a dozen (I know, you’ve heard that before….but stick with me here) and action ISN’T enough, but it (ACTION) is certainly the first step to moving toward your goals and accomplishing your dreams.

The purpose of this post is to explore what separates winners and losers, well intentioned idea people from millionaires, and success from failure.

I’d like to argue that while ideas are precious and action is crucial to accomplishing goals, it’s more about EXECUTION than anything else.

A great idea with no action is nothing. Hot air.

A great idea with action and no specific plan for execution is likely to result in agony and eventual failure……unless you get lucky, which happens one out of every 100,000 times (not scientific, but my point is you are leaving your destiny to luck).

The key to taking action and actually crossing the finish line of victory is execution.

Ask yourself – What’s your plan? Is your plan specific? Is your plan similar enough to others who have already accomplished what you want? Are you absolutely committed to your outcome? Are you absolutely certain of your victory?

Let me give you some perspective here…let’s use something we are all familiar with – New Year’s Resolutions.

Every New Year’s 75% of the American population makes a New Year’s Resolution. The idea that most people adopt is that exercise and / or weight loss would be great….therefore, they adopt it as their resolution.

The good news is that in most cases the person in question has decided to publicize their resolution (share it with friends and family), which is actually a brilliant way to build some initial leverage….that more times than not will lead to some form of action. Driving by a gym…….calling to get monthly rates…..soliciting friends to work out with you…..You know the kind of initial action we typically take based on New Year’s Resolutions.

So…..your New Year’s Resolution is set – I’m going to join the Gym and get in “shape.”

Let’s step back. What does “get in shape mean?” This is crucial to your success, but the problem is 99% of the time the person never defines what “getting in shape” means.

Also, what’s the difference between success or failure here? Lose 15 lbs. Reduce the size of the tire around your waist, your gorgeous love handles, or your J-Lo booty?

Chances are….if you are using a New Year’s Resolution to motivate yourself to take action on something just about all of us want (to be in “shape,”) you may be setting yourself of for failure…..or not!

I’m comfortable in concluding that if you are reading this post you agree with a few facts.

(1) Most people who set New Year’s Resolutions don’t accomplish much.
(2) Good intentions (ideas) aren’t enough.
(3) Action alone isn’t enough, but it’s a step in the right direction!
(4) A killer execution plan is the secret to taking a great idea, along with physical action across the finish line.

Ideas and actions aren’t enough to truly live an exceptional life and accomplish your goals and dreams – you need to have a specific execution plan.

OK Kris – I get your point…….but how do I apply this to my life?

Here’s what I’d like you to do.

(1) Identify five goals that you’d like to accomplish within the next 12 months.

- Be as specific as possible with your goals. For instance, one of my goals is to submit my table of contents (within 30 days), get approval and begin writing (within 90 days), complete first 1/4 of book (within 180 days), complete 2/4 of book (within 210 days), complete 3/4 of book (within 240 days), complete final 1/4 of book (within 240 days), and make final edits and complete my third book (within 12 months). The more specific you can be the better.

- Don’t be afraid to put one or two goals down that make you feel uncomfortable. By uncomfortable I mean goals that, when accomplished, will actually change your life. Use your imagination here. Give yourself some credit….and again be as specific as possible about what your desired outcome is.

(2) Take action.

- Each of your goals will require you to take action. When you take action depends on the nature of the goal, but keep in mind two things – first, action will be required and second, a start date is absolutely necessary. You can’t just write a goal down without identifying when you’ll initially take action and what other action steps will be necessary to carry you across the finish line.

(3) Evaluate your progress and modify if necessary to accomplish your goal.

- This step is critical to your success. As yourself – Am I hitting my benchmarks? Am I moving in the direction of my goal? If I continue on this track will I accomplish my goal? Does my execution plan need to be modified in order to reach my goal? Of course, if you answer any of these questions with a negative that’s NO PROBLEM!!!!! It just means that you need to modify your execution plan.

- Rinse and repeat. In other words, you’ll need to continually evaluate your progress and modify your plan until you cross the finish line.

(4) Set new goals. Arm yourself with a solid execution plan and use the above steps to accomplish your goals!

- Once you have accomplished your goal you aren’t done. You need to replace it with a new goal….hopefully something even more aggressive and exciting. Accomplishing your goals is like growing your muscles. As you accomplish more and more of your goals you get stronger and your execution strategy becomes part of your personality…..and accomplishing your goals and achieving desired outcomes becomes part of your life.

SUMMARY:

Ideas are a dime a dozen.

Most people never take action on great ideas.

Action is a rarity and when people take action toward a desired outcome they fail to carefully construct an execution plan.

An execution plan requires you to specifically define your desired outcome, typically in the form of a specific goal AS WELL AS continuously monitor your progress and modify your approach if necessary to successfully cross the finish line.

Once you successfully achieve your goal it is absolutely critical that you replace it with a new goal. Life is a journey, not a destination….so you need to continually build your high achiever muscles so that over time accomplishing your goals and dreams becomes part of your personality….and is directly correlated with the expectations others have for you and your abilities.

So there you go. I’m glad you read this post and allowed me to share this perspective with you.

What are your thoughts? What am I missing.

As I said above one of the most strategic ways to taking action is to share your goal(s) with the public. Once you set your goals come back here and share one or more with us by commenting on this post….and on FB or Twitter.