To bridge the execution gap, it is very important that your goal means something to you. Now, this may start to sound redundant as the same has been mentioned elsewhere in the book as well. But because it is so important in the process of achieving a goal, it needs to be emphasized once again.
If you set a goal for the wrong reason, and chase after something you don’t really need, you will not be driven to achieve it and the execution gap will never be bridged. So set yourself up for something that’ll mean something for you.
Setting the wrong goal also takes motivation out of the execution equation. To make anything motivating, be it weight loss, expanding your social circle, setting a start-up business or expanding your clientele, you need to associate strong reasons to why you want to achieve something. These reasons will then become the driving force that fuel your motivation.
Another consideration in this regard is commitment versus convenience. With the right goal, you are highly likely to be 100% committed whereas anyone who isn’t committed will opt out for convenience instead. Say, you have a scheduled gym session every week with a buddy who also gives you a ride there.
Now if you are committed to getting into better shape, building strength or just improving your overall health, you will attend that session every time no matter what. But if you find out that your gym buddy won’t be attending this week, so you decide to skip the session as well. Here you have opted for convenience instead.
Since your friend won’t be there to take you along, you find that it is too much work to get to the gym by bus and then back home. At this point just give yourself a little reminder that the goal is to get yourself in better shape, no matter what. Set the bar for commitment higher so it’s not that easy to back off.