Execution

Wow! It’s been a while! First things first, Happy New Year and Happy New Month!

Away from the niceties and into the central theme of this article. So, today I would like to handle a critical matter, that is, execution. I felt the urge to begin my writing this year with an important subject that really separates leaders from followers, the successful from the unsuccessful, the rich from the poor, and the wise from fools. In one way or the other, execution is one of the most significant elements to success in any field. Time and again, we have heard that “procrastination is the thief of time.” Also, we know that procrastination is the silent killer of man’s deepest dreams yet we still find ourselves pushing forward a significant activity. How many times have we backed out of important but not urgent matters? In any case, what often makes us fail to spring into action may be fear, paralysis by analysis, or the discouragement concerning the effort that we need to put into attaining the success. At other times, it may be the lack of enthusiasm or drive to just get it done.

Image Credits: Board of Wisdom

On a lighter note, I read someone’s post on social media where he had written that the year often begins in March; January and February serve as a period of reminiscing the past year and also as a grace period for preparing to enter into the new year. Funny weird, isn’t it? It is easy to conclude that such comments come from a lack of enthusiasm and motivation to seize the day. In effect, inaction breeds immobility and yet time and tide wait for no man! We ought to be in action, but this does not mean that we just move around aimlessly without a purpose. We need to have a purpose and to attain this purpose, we ought to set goals. To accomplish the goals, we need to execute the steps necessary to achieve them. Ever heard of the quote which says, “Dreams without goals are just dreams…and they fuel disappointments.” We hate disappointments, right?

Image Credits: Quotefacny

The Good Book tells us that, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” [Proverbs 4:7, KJV]. So, in the above scripture, we have two elements – Wisdom and Understanding. The latter is gotten as people gain knowledge. We know that wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand. However, there is an important factor that connects the two. This factor is execution. Even as man searches for knowledge, there is the need for them to appreciate that the wisdom is in the execution! If you cannot put into practice (execute) what you learn, then the knowledge becomes useless.

Image Credits: Highland Park Baptist Church

Imagine you are an archer and you have really prepared well for a particular global tournament. When you win the competition, you get to walk home with a fortune. So, the tournament is held in an arena as large as the Wembley Stadium and is being broadcasted worldwide. It is your turn to march on to the field and take your shots. The only challenge is that there is no target! What! After all the preparations you walk into a competition, and there is no target? Well, that’s madness, isn’t it? Well, that’s how a large portion of the world is today! Shocked? Yes, we have many people with all the knowledge in the world, but they do not know where to apply it! It is said that the greatest tragedy in life is not death but a life without purpose.

Image Credits: InspireCast

Knowing one’s purpose is the first step to living a great life. However, we also have individuals who know their purpose, but they have a rough time living their destiny. They have all the knowledge concerning the direction they should take but are still unsuccessful. In essence, their outward life does not portray who they are on the inside. On the inside, they may be having all the knowledge concerning their specialization, but on the outside, they are unsuccessful in their profession. Mercy! One of the challenges could be that they are poor in applying the knowledge they possess. Yes, we all desire to be wise. However, in our pursuit for wisdom, we face a lot of hurdles that at times make us play low in the name of sparing ourselves the blushes. However, there is a remedy for all that. The power lies in the execution. Simply put, “gaining knowledge is good, but wisdom is in the execution/application of whatever one has learned.” Also, “Knowledge is power but knowledge without action is useless.”

Image Credits: Brainy Quote

Indeed, wisdom is the principal thing. We could go on and on expounding on the subject, but I choose to leave it at this point. Well, wisdom is knowing your strengths and weaknesses and taking the necessary actions to improve further. So, for a long time, I have been battling with execution. It has been a struggle not only in business but also in life. From time to time, I was wondering why my life was not improving despite all the effort I put in gaining knowledge only to know that I was poor when it came to execution. However, now I have a clear picture of my weakness.
For a start, I have begun reading Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan’s book titled, “Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done.” I have not gone past chapter one, and I am already learning a lot. In the book, Bossidy and Charan investigate how great leaders are masters of execution. In essence, they state that most companies struggle to make great strides because they are weak at execution. My reason for reading the book is to help revive my side-hustle which is in the negative zone despite having a great strategy and a grand master plan.

Image Credits: Amazon

Even you today, you can identify areas in your life where you have failed to take appropriate action and begin to move. Remember, wisdom and power lie in the execution. Also, remember that the knowing is in the doing. And when you are overwhelmed, remember to seek assistance. Indeed, there is no shame in asking for help.

Happy Execution folks!

**************

Bonus Thought

We have a lot of self-improvement books, and we also have a lot of motivational speakers. In the present age where technology is transforming the way we live, we also have motivational channels and accounts. So, we are well equipped with the knowledge we need to live a great life. However, the challenge lies in the execution. Yes, the information we get from all the books, channels, accounts, and the people around us would not work unless we apply it, period! Even the reading of the scripture and listening to sermons would not work unless you work it out! At times, the results may take longer to manifest, but one thing is for sure, the right execution techniques will yield the desired results.

Image Credits: Pinterest

What is Character?

In my quest to establish myself as an entrepreneur, I went all out in search of pieces of materials that could help me in this journey. From reading biographies and autobiographies of successful entrepreneurs to subscribing for alerts from useful websites to hearing stories and asking questions to watching TV shows, I ensured I did everything that could add value and give me insights.

One day while watching Young Rich, a TV Show about young successful entrepreneurs, they happened to host Eric Kinoti. He is the founder and CEO of Shade Systems (EA) Ltd. It is a usual drill of the show’s host to ask entrepreneurs their favorite reads. On this occasion, I usually take time to write down the titles of these favorite reads and proceed to download them. As they say, if you want to be like them (the wealthy and the successful) behave like them.

You Can Win by Shiv Khera happened to be one of Kinoti’s favorite reads. I immediately assembled my resources and proceeded to download the book. Over the course of the week, I read the book as I sought to drink from the everflowing fountain of knowledge contained in such forms of writing. I must admit that it was one of the most interesting and informative books I have ever read.

One of the most important lessons I learned was about CHARACTER. I shall proceed to share that lesson with you as below:

What is Character?

Character is a Combination:

Character is a combination of integrity, unselfishness, understanding, conviction, courage, loyalty and respect.

What is a pleasant personality with character?

• It is a class by itself.

• It is composure.

• It is poise.

• It is surefootedness and confidence without arrogance.

• It is being considerate.

• It is never making excuses.

• It is knowing that courtesy and good manners take many small sacrifices.

• It is learning from past mistakes.

• It has nothing to do with money or blue blood.

• It never builds itself by destroying others.

• It is substance, not just form.

• It can walk with the elite and yet maintain the common touch.

• It is a gentle word, a kind look and a good-natured smile.

• It is the secret pride that stands against tyranny.

• It is comfortable with itself and others.

• It is the classic touch that gives the winning edge.

• It works wonders.

• It accomplishes miracles.

• It is easy to recognize, hard to define.

• It is accepting responsibility.

• It is humility.

• It is graciousness in victory and defeat.

• It is not fame and fortune.

• It is not a plaque.

• It is permanent.

• It is intangible.

• It is being courteous and polite without being subservient.

• It is being classy without being corky.

• It is self-discipline and knowledge.

• It is self-contained.

• It is a gracious winner and an understanding loser.

More difficult than success itself is; how we handle success. Many people know how to become successful but after they become successful, they don’t know how to handle it that is why ability and character go hand in hand. Ability will get you success, character will keep you successful.

We don’t unfold or discover ourselves, we create and build ourselves into the kind of person we want to be.

Character building starts from infancy and goes on until death. Character does not need success. It is success. Just like a gardener has to keep weeding to prevent weeds from eating the life of the garden, we need to keep building and developing our character by weeding out our faults

-As extracted from You Can Win by Shiv Khera pages 37-38

The endgame of any entrepreneurial venture is success. Along the way, many are faced with a string of failures which most of the times leaves one on the verge of quiting. However, holding on usually leads to success if and only if one engages the right gears. One of the most important lessons passed by the author of this book is that when we become successful, we should not forget minding about our character. As he says, ability will get you success, character will keep you successful. In addition, Character does not need success; it is success.