Yet so few are successful. Even fewer are remembered after they have moved on. 

Why is that ?

Its because in the real world plans, planners and planning have value but they are wholly dependant for success on those who execute.

Reputations are built on execution. 

What is execution ? in one word Output or Results.

Writers build a reputation on the articles and books they have published.

Marketers build a reputation on the successful products and campaigns they have launched .

Politicians build a reputation on the reforms and policies they implement.

CEOs build their reputation on the revenues and profits they grow and the markets they win.

Generals build their reputations on the battles and wars they win.

How do you build a reputation ?

1. Stop planning
2. Start producing

Produce what.

Define what is our output what adds value to others. Whether it is a product, campaign, a sale, a book, a piece of music or art, a contract or agreement with a customer – define it.

Then Ship it. 

Send it to the end user or the customer. Do not wait for perfection. Launch and learn.

Develop a reputation for someone who spends 1% time on the idea or the plan and then 99% on execution and delivery. 

The key metrics and good output and execution questions to ask oneself 

• How many new customers did I win 
• How many contracts did we sign
• How many sales did we accomplish
• How many did we produce
• How much did we ship
• What was our delivery
• How did we grow our sales and profits

Don’t get stuck on the input trap. 

On how good or detailed or thorough your plan is. 

Or you how well you wrote that memo.

Or how good the powerpoint was.

Powerpoints don’t win wars. Nor do memos change the world.

Those who take ideas and convert them into execution are the ones who matter.

Be an executor. Be output focused.

Build your reputation on what you have done everyday and what you are doing today.

Everyday ask yourself – whats my output