We all know the value of goals in providing clear, focused direction for the future. We also know the pain of not reaching goals, or not seeing goals produce the outcomes we had hoped for. Perhaps most disheartening is when you set and achieve goals, only to discover they were the wrong goals. As Stephen Kellog once observed, “It’s better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than at the top of the one you don’t.”

When it comes to setting and reaching goals, people tend to lean in one of two directions: FOCUS or EXECUTION. Regardless of your natural leaning, both are critical for success. In fact, when it comes to reaching goals, these two variables are the irrefutable essentials. The following grid includes four quadrants that define the outcome when focus or execution is lacking.These quadrants are true whether you’re pursuing personal goals or organizational goals. Both, focus and execution, are critical.

1. Low Focus + Low Execution = Failure

When focus and execution are both low, little if any progress is made. The outcome is FAILURE as mediocrity becomes the standard operating mode. This quadrant usually protects the status quo as fear, laziness, or the traditions of the past paralyze future progress.

2. High Focus + Low Execution = Frustration

In this scenario, there’s a clear sense of direction, but there’s not any action to accompany it. In other words, the goals are clear but the discipline to execute them is missing. The result is a heightened level of FRUSTRATION because there’s lots of talk but few results.

3. Low Focus + High Execution = Fatigue

When focus is low and execution is high, people tend to live in a constant state of FATIGUE. There’s lots of activity, but the activity isn’t directed toward a clear and achievable goal. If any kind of goal does exist, attempts to achieve it are usually derailed by misguided or incomplete strategies. Discouragement and low morale are bedfellows to the fatigue associated with this quadrant of the grid.

4. High Focus + High Execution = Fulfillment

The final quadrant is obviously where all of us want to live. Having a high level of focus combined with a high level of execution results in FULFILLMENT. This corner is where sustainable progress is celebrated. High focus is usually marked by clear, specific, and measurable goals that are shared across the entire organization. There’s a genuine sense of personal buy-in. High execution is defined by a disciplined culture that wisely stewards its time, talent, and financial resources.

To gain consistent traction, you need high FOCUS and high EXECUTION. A lack of either will diminish your results personally and organizationally. So, how do you sharpen your focus and improve your execution?

Two Keys to Sharpen Focus and Improve Execution

1. Sharpen Focus with Clarity and Narrowness – Two things must be present for a goal to be fully in focus—clarity and narrowness. First, for a goal to be clear, all signs of ambiguity must be shamelessly eliminated. Ambiguity usually occurs when the goal isn’t specific or measurable. Second, the goal must be narrow. Visions are painted with lots of broad brushstrokes, but goals focus on a single stroke. To sharpen focus with clarity and narrowness, ask yourself three questions:

• If your vision were made up of 100 brushstrokes, which single brushstroke is your goal focused on? What 99 brushstrokes is your goal NOT focused on?
• Is the goal painstakingly specific and measurable in 30 words or less?
• Is the goal easily understood?

2. Improve Execution with S.O.D.A. – Making forward progress on a goal requires somebody to drive each step to completion by a specific timeline. Therefore, the best way to ensure progress is to execute every goal with the S.O.D.A. Model.

• Steps – What are the specific steps you must take to achieve the goal?
• Owners – Who is responsible to execute each step?
• Deadlines – When does each step need to be completed?
• Accountability – When will the team meet each week to hold one another accountable for progress?

If any one of these ingredients is missing, the goal will experience slow or negligible progress.

What do you need to do to sharpen focus and improve execution?