The Ambition-Execution Gap

Many people who are deeply invested in their self-improvement (like you) are very ambitious. Their thirst for growth is fueled by a desire to maximize their potential. They have a bigger vision for who they can be in the world - the impact, influence, and income that goes along with being a major player - and they’re committed to seeing what they’re capable of. Does that sound familiar?

The problem is, many people are falling short of living the successful life they know they’re capable of. It raises the question, why?

In most cases, this happens when your level of execution doesn’t meet the height of your ambition. I call this the Ambition-Execution Gap. It shows up in these 3 ways. I want to introduce each by using the example of wanting to complete a major endurance event.

The first is a lack of discipline. Knowing what to do and not doing it. It’s like having a training plan but not following through on it. Results will never materialize from the actions you didn’t take. Execution requires you doing the work, not avoiding it.

The second is not operating with enough leverage. You can be taking action on things that keep you busy all day, but if those actions aren’t potent and don't generate real progress, you’ll never get anywhere with it. It’s like having a training plan that neglects your diet. You can workout intensely but it won’t build up your fitness if you aren’t fueling yourself properly. This makes execution low impact.

The third component is clarity. Many people have a vague idea of where they’re headed but they don’t know what to do differently to get there. You can’t execute on something you haven’t clearly defined. Like trying to increase your average pace for the event, reaching a new threshold of fitness requires a new level of planning, one that you might not even be aware of.

The only thing getting in the way of the life you imagine for yourself is that you don’t have the discipline, leverage, or clarity you need to get there. You’ve got the ambition, now you need to figure out why you don’t have the execution to match. 

Success won’t happen by accident. You need to raise your standard and elevate the way you take action if you want to create it. That’s why, I believe, bridging the Ambition-Execution Gap is the way that you change your life, and change the world.

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