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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The 12 Week Year summary
Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 months
21 mins
Brief summary
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington is a guide to achieving great results in a short amount of time by focusing on 12-week cycles instead of yearly goals. It provides actionable advice on prioritization, goal setting, and execution.
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The 12 Week Year
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
We’re held back from achieving our potential, not by a lack of ideas, but by a lack of consistent execution.
We’re all familiar with the aphorism “knowledge is power.” But this kernel of wisdom is a bit misleading – because, in and of itself, knowledge bestows no particular power on its possessor. Rather, the power comes from what one does with one’s knowledge.
In short, ideas are only powerful if they’re acted on.
Let’s look at a few examples. Roughly 65 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. But that’s not for lack of knowledge. There are around 46,000 diet books available, and the diet and fitness industry is worth $60 billion a year. Everyone knows deep down that they need to eat a little better and move a little more. They just don’t act on that knowledge.
The same is true in business. Sure, you need a great idea to succeed. But execution is what makes the difference: ideas are only rewarded if they’re deftly executed in the market. Apple is a success because they took a series of great ideas and executed them with incredible skill. Achieving your true potential isn’t about dreaming big; it’s about executing ably.
Evidence shows that the consistent application of best practice will improve results significantly.
Take Ann Laufman, a financial advisor from Houston. Laufman had a sense that she could be doing better, but was at a bit of a loss as to how to move forward.
Laufman began using the 12 Week Year approach which focuses on executing tasks more effectively. Instead of taking a new approach – focusing on wealthier clients, for instance, or widening her potential market – she simply applied her existing approach more effectively. She soon found that focusing on execution worked wonders.
Eventually, Laufman increased her output by 400 percent, and became the first woman in her firm’s history to be awarded “associate of the year.’”
The 12 Week Year approach can help you execute better, too – that is, to focus on what’s important, manage your time better, measure your results and achieve more, faster.
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What is The 12 Week Year about?
The 12 Week Year (2013) provides a blueprint for revolutionizing your planning, delivery and productivity. Many individuals, organizations and businesses plan around an annual cycle, but it’s near impossible to make accurate plans for an entire year, and it’s just as hard to muster a year’s worth of focus. This book offers an alternative, explaining how to plan around a 12-week period, execute critical tasks and radically improve results.
The 12 Week Year Review
The 12 Week Year (2013) is a practical guide to maximizing productivity and achieving goals in a shorter timeframe. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It introduces a revolutionary method for goal setting and execution, helping readers break free from the annual cycle and make progress consistently throughout the year.
- With its actionable strategies and concrete examples, the book provides readers with the tools they need to overcome procrastination and increase their productivity.
- This book is definitely not boring because it presents a fresh perspective on time management and goal achievement, challenging conventional wisdom and inspiring readers to think differently.
Best quote from The 12 Week Year
Most people have the capacity to double or triple their income just by consistently applying what they already know.
—Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Who should read The 12 Week Year?
- Workers who feel they could be doing more in less time
- Business leaders striving for higher productivity and faster execution
- People struggling to put their great ideas into practice
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The 12 Week Year FAQs
What is the main message of The 12 Week Year?
The main message of The 12 Week Year is to prioritize and act with urgency, focusing on short-term goals to achieve long-term success.
How long does it take to read The 12 Week Year?
The reading time for The 12 Week Year varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The 12 Week Year a good book? Is it worth reading?
The 12 Week Year is worth reading because it offers a practical framework to increase productivity and achieve goals in a shorter time.
Who is the author of The 12 Week Year?
The authors of The 12 Week Year are Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington.
What to read after The 12 Week Year?
If you're wondering what to read next after The 12 Week Year, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- Idea to Execution by Ari Meisel and Nick Sonnenberg
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
- 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan with Benjamin Hardy
- The 12-week Fitness Project by Rujuta Diwekar
- The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
- The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
- Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport