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Execution is the realisation of our thoughts, strategies, plans, and dreams. Yet, 8 out of 10 times, our execution falls short. The struggle is real; we often lose focus or interest or give up midway. Many brilliant ideas have met their end at the hands of poor execution. It is essential to understand the reasons behind this.

This is what usually happens. Actions start with an idea, often sparked by a corporate strategy or personal need. The initial urgency and excitement drive the project forward. However, as time passes, delays and competing priorities cause the project to be forgotten or pushed aside. So, what are the best strategies for overcoming the obstacles that disrupt the natural flow of our efforts? Here is my list of the top 5.

Ownership:
“No man (woman) is an island.” Taking ownership or responsibility is one of the most significant factors separating success from failure. There will be challenges, and support will be needed. Seek that support for completion, but support (or lack of it) cannot become an excuse. The owner owns the project. A sense of Ownership drives innovation and the search for alternate paths. The proverbial buck does stop with the owner.

Defined End State:
One of Stephen Covey’s seven habits is to “Begin with the end in mind.” The first step is to visualise and understand the end state of what one needs to achieve. Starting something just because it is trendy tends to lose its charm quickly. Even if not fully formed, some vision of the end game is necessary. The purpose, the “why,” is a good starting point. Focus helps in defining the end state.

Overcoming the Middle:
There is a Start, a Middle, and an End for any given project. Remembering my academic days, the first year was fun and exciting, and the final year gave me a sense of fulfilment and closure. It was the middle year(s) which were the most difficult. This is true for any other project. The start is super exciting, and the end is exhilarating. It is the middle where focus, resilience, commitment and perseverance are needed. Building consistent habits at the beginning helps to plough through this phase.

Stay Silent:
The human brain is designed in a way that it gets a dopamine hit every time it gets pleasure. Completing a project or task gives a hit every time. However, research says that just talking about a task before it is finished gives the same pleasure. The wise say, “ Don’t jinx by talking about something incomplete.”This is true. Talk about it when there are some results to show.

Track Progress:
The key to making progress is tracking the right metrics. Focusing on the activities that lead to your end goal, rather than the goal itself, is more effective. For instance, if your goal is to build a new business, tracking all the activities leading up to the launch may be more effective than tracking revenues or sales, which may not change for a while. Monitoring progress and achieving small milestones can be equally satisfying. The saying “Enjoy the journey, not just the destination”.

The five listed are critical, but this list is not the most comprehensive. Limited Resources, Changing Priorities, External environment, and personal commitments can all impact a successful completion. That makes execution difficult and the euphoria of completion much more exhilarating. We all enjoy the happiness of completing a task.