Book Review: The 4 Disciplines of Execution - by Sandi Somers

 

TITLE: The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Revised and Updated: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals

AUTHORS: Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling 

PUBLISHER: New York: Simon & Schuster

PUBLICATION OF 2^nd Edition: 2021

COST: $35.50;  Paperback: $25.73;  Kindle: $13.99 (current prices on Amazon.ca)

SUBJECTS: Goal setting in personnel management; Goal (Psychology); Organization.

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 At the heart of every vision, every aspiration is a crisis…Look deep into the heart of your crisis. Figure out what problem needs solving the most, or nothing else matters.

Beverly Walker

Making explicit goals and expectations is vital to success. The authors of The 4 Disciplines of Execution have proven that following through on your most important priorities will require a significant change in your behaviour and will produce breakthrough results.

 I began using The 4 Disciplines as I’m now focusing on finishing my book of devotionals, revising drafts to the best of my ability.  I’ll give you my examples to help clarify the principles and strategies.

 The 4 Disciplines are:

1. Focus on the Wildly Important Goal: Focusing on one major goal will have the greatest impact for your project. However, doing so goes against human tendency to choose several goals. Yet research shows that the more items you focus on, the less you accomplish. You must move from a dozen “I really hope” goals to one “no matter what” goal.

Become clear in your one goal and set a deadline: “From X to Y by When.”

 My goal is to complete a good draft of 75 devotionals by Christmas. Can I do it? How can I accomplish it?

 My next step to making that breakthrough was to…

2. Act on Lead Measures.

What are lead measures? They are the most important daily and weekly actions that will tell you if you’re achieving your final goal. They can be measured.

 I started working on this project with some devotionals already polished, and others in various stages of completion. I asked the authors’ questions: “What are the one or two most important things I can do this week that will have the biggest impact on reaching my goal? What might I do that I’ve never tried before and that will make all the difference?”

 I need to write or revise six devotionals every week.

This is the single most difficult discipline to set up and maintain. It’s easy to slip a day or two, then a week, and soon you’re not progressing. As a result, you’re more likely to give up or become stalled.  

 How could I ensure consistency? I next needed to…

3. Keep a Compelling Scoreboard. “What gets measured gets done.”

This means tracking your progress daily or weekly on a chart or graph—you can use a “writing tracker” app or online resource. Seeing your graph shows whether you’re winning or losing. It also keeps you engaged to see your progress.

 On a daily basis, I listed each revised devotional. I next drew a line graph with two parts: one line showing the trajectory if I consistently revise six a week. The other line tracked the actual number revised.

 Doing this will…

4. Create a Cadence of Accountability. A regular rhythm of weekly checkups ensures consistent engagement. The checkups have several steps:

• ·        Report on how well you succeeded or lagged behind last week’s commitments.
• ·        Ask what worked and what didn’t. What did you learn?
• ·        Plan to make new commitments. Keep your former commitment and add something new. 
• ·         Keep to your new standard.
• ·        If you missed your goal, make up for it the next week. 

 I started late the first week, as I signed out my “holds” copy from the Public Library on Tuesday. I completed only four items. That meant I needed to complete eight the next week. But how? I added a new commitment—to tweak the items most nearly finished. It worked, as it didn’t require much time. And those climbing numbers gave me a better sense of accomplishment.

I’m aware, however, that at least two disciplines are missing from this book.

5. Reward yourself. Sometimes people can be too driven, and as the saying goes, they don’t stop to smell the roses. After each success of meeting the daily and weekly goals, it’s important to celebrate.

 I’ve chosen several mini-celebrations—it's delightful to take tea out on the deck in these sunny October afternoons. A drive in the country is my reward if I meet this week's challenge.

6.  Partner with the Lord in your writing. This is the most important discipline. Our projects or our writing are not all up to you or me.  “For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6 NLT)

 The Lord knows the beginning and the end, what I need to accomplish my purposes—His purposes. I depend on His guidance. I’m also inviting a prayer team to partner with me. In turn I will give them a monthly progress update.

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Now for an assessment of the book. While it’s primarily aimed at heads of businesses and corporations and their teams, there’s a wealth of examples and practical applications for writers, especially if you’re stuck in the middle—it forces you to creatively think of new solutions.

I found that the concepts covered are intense and detailed. To make the most of your reading experience, I suggest skimming over some corporate examples (or use them as clarification or models). It has been said, “Choose the best and leave the rest.” If you do this, it’s worth a read. It’s worth practising The 4 Disciplines of Execution, plus the two more not identified in the book.