Deliverables Are What Matter

Focus on creating something to propel you forward

When it comes to self-improvement or personal accomplishment, it always seems great to explore in our imaginations, make some plans, read about other people’s strategies, or otherwise prepare for what we believe we’re going to do. The only problem is that many people never get past that phase. They end up with all preparation and no delivery.

In the business world there is a concept known as a “deliverable.” One dictionary defines a deliverable as “something that can be achieved or delivered as the result of a plan or process.” That’s a decent definition. A deliverable is something you actually create or produce. It is something tangible you can point to and say, “I did that.” A deliverable might be a business report, dinner party, or work of art.

When it comes to achieving things in life we should focus more on deliverables and less on the considerations that surround that deliverable.

Many of us talk about wanting to do something. We’re pretty good at planning to do something. We might spend a lot of time on the thinking, learning, and preparation activities needed to do that something. But when the time comes to actually do it, our momentum grinds to a halt. We simply never do it. I think every single one of us can recount stories about how this has played out in…