Knowing What I Know Now, What Would I Have Done Differently This Year?

This is the fourth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year successfully, check out this post.

Knowing what I know now, what would I have done differently this year?

From a business perspective this one is pretty easy. I would have focused more on execution. My team and I are pretty good at coming up with new ideas and figuring out how to use and leverage those ideas. We aren't quite so good at execution.

An outsider might say that we do get a lot accomplished (and I am very proud of the progress we have made), but I know that we are leaving ideas on the table unimplemented for too long.

For any leader there is a balance required here. Any of us can execute everything on our list if we are never expanding our list of ideas, tools and techniques. At the other end of the spectrum we can all get better at prioritizing - taking the number of ideas and opportunities and prioritizing them to help us focus.

Squarely in the middle of this continuum - between small list and awesome prioritization is EXECUTE the list! I wish that I had done a better job of executing.

Notice too that I am not saying I wished I had worked more hours! My challenge, and I believe the challenge for many of us is to follow-through more effectively, and do that more productively.

As I write this, I sense that I may have more to say about it. If/when I do, I promise to let you know.

So, my question to you is, Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently last year?

Labels: execution, learning, questions, reflection

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