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BookReview
ChapterTitle
Execute your way to the top
n the opening chapter of The 12 Week Year: Get
More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12
Months, authors Brian P. Moran and Michael
I Lennington make a bold statement about what
they offer to readers. "[W]e will show you how to
increase your current results by four times or more,
in a very short period of time," they wrote. "You will
learn exactly what it takes to perform at your best
every day. We will unwrap the secrets of top perform- The 12 Week Year:
ers in a way that allows you to align your thinking Get More Done
and your actions to produce staggering results." in 12 Weeks than
Others Do in 12
Both authors have dedicated their careers to helping Months
By Brian P. Moran
individuals and organizations improve their and Michael
performance. They currently provide consulting Lennington
services through The Execution Company, for which John Wiley &
Moran is the founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Sons Inc., 2013
Lennington the Vice President. ISBN: 978-1-118-
50923-4
They believe knowledge alone is not power and
execution is what makes all the difference. "Our
experience has shown that most people have the
capacity to double or triple their income just by
consistently applying what they already know," they
stated, adding that they penned The 12 Week Year to
"close the execution gap. It is written in a way that
allows you to understand the fundamental concepts • It reduces uncertainty and defines actions.
of execution and actually apply them right away."
• It sparks a vital sense of urgency.
• It gets you focused on the most important things.
The book is divided into two parts. The first, "Things
You Think You Know," is dedicated to helping readers • It makes keeping commitments easier, which leads
to consistent results.
understand the 12 Week Year process; the second, "Putting
It All Together," is devoted to providing tools and tips that • It makes you proactive instead of reactive.
• It makes your life more meaningful.
will help people realize their goals.
Putting it into action
Making the case for the 12 Week Year
It is worth noting that the portion of the book dedicated to
The authors don't dispute that having annual goals execution is about twice as long as the section explaining the
and plans is better than not having them, but they have author's observations and rationale. They have identified
observed that the annual planning process is inherently eight elements as fundamental to high performance in
limiting, even when goals and action steps are broken all endeavors. Three are called "principles" and include
down into smaller increments throughout the year. That accountability, commitment and greatness in the moment.
is because, in the end, those who plan annually evaluate Five are dubbed "disciplines." These comprise vision,
their success annually, as well; unfortunately, along with planning, process control, measurement and time use.
"annualized" thinking comes the "unspoken belief that
there is plenty of time to make things happen," they stated.
The authors define each element, explain its role in the
system, provide instructions on what actions each element
The authors have found that the opposite is true when a requires and offer tips and pitfalls to avoid. In the book's
year consists of only 12 weeks. And their 12 Week Year is final chapter Moran and Lennington emphasize that
"an execution system that helps you operate at your best the power of the 12 Week Year is realized only through
each day by creating clarity and focus on what matters application; they encourage readers to connect with their
most and a sense of urgency to do it now." They also community at www.12weekyear.com, as well as via Facebook
offered six reasons why switching from a 12-month to a 12- and LinkedIn.
week year mindset will ultimately create execution magic:
42
42
ChapterTitle
Execute your way to the top
n the opening chapter of The 12 Week Year: Get
More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12
Months, authors Brian P. Moran and Michael
I Lennington make a bold statement about what
they offer to readers. "[W]e will show you how to
increase your current results by four times or more,
in a very short period of time," they wrote. "You will
learn exactly what it takes to perform at your best
every day. We will unwrap the secrets of top perform- The 12 Week Year:
ers in a way that allows you to align your thinking Get More Done
and your actions to produce staggering results." in 12 Weeks than
Others Do in 12
Both authors have dedicated their careers to helping Months
By Brian P. Moran
individuals and organizations improve their and Michael
performance. They currently provide consulting Lennington
services through The Execution Company, for which John Wiley &
Moran is the founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Sons Inc., 2013
Lennington the Vice President. ISBN: 978-1-118-
50923-4
They believe knowledge alone is not power and
execution is what makes all the difference. "Our
experience has shown that most people have the
capacity to double or triple their income just by
consistently applying what they already know," they
stated, adding that they penned The 12 Week Year to
"close the execution gap. It is written in a way that
allows you to understand the fundamental concepts • It reduces uncertainty and defines actions.
of execution and actually apply them right away."
• It sparks a vital sense of urgency.
• It gets you focused on the most important things.
The book is divided into two parts. The first, "Things
You Think You Know," is dedicated to helping readers • It makes keeping commitments easier, which leads
to consistent results.
understand the 12 Week Year process; the second, "Putting
It All Together," is devoted to providing tools and tips that • It makes you proactive instead of reactive.
• It makes your life more meaningful.
will help people realize their goals.
Putting it into action
Making the case for the 12 Week Year
It is worth noting that the portion of the book dedicated to
The authors don't dispute that having annual goals execution is about twice as long as the section explaining the
and plans is better than not having them, but they have author's observations and rationale. They have identified
observed that the annual planning process is inherently eight elements as fundamental to high performance in
limiting, even when goals and action steps are broken all endeavors. Three are called "principles" and include
down into smaller increments throughout the year. That accountability, commitment and greatness in the moment.
is because, in the end, those who plan annually evaluate Five are dubbed "disciplines." These comprise vision,
their success annually, as well; unfortunately, along with planning, process control, measurement and time use.
"annualized" thinking comes the "unspoken belief that
there is plenty of time to make things happen," they stated.
The authors define each element, explain its role in the
system, provide instructions on what actions each element
The authors have found that the opposite is true when a requires and offer tips and pitfalls to avoid. In the book's
year consists of only 12 weeks. And their 12 Week Year is final chapter Moran and Lennington emphasize that
"an execution system that helps you operate at your best the power of the 12 Week Year is realized only through
each day by creating clarity and focus on what matters application; they encourage readers to connect with their
most and a sense of urgency to do it now." They also community at www.12weekyear.com, as well as via Facebook
offered six reasons why switching from a 12-month to a 12- and LinkedIn.
week year mindset will ultimately create execution magic:
42
42
