Starting a project without a clear purpose and plan is like climbing a mountain with loads of equipment but no destination. It's a wasteful exercise that is likely to lead to failure, especially when climbing mountains.

Momentum is important, but activity without direction is just a waste. Spending money on work without a clear purpose is a waste of time and resources. It's a reason why so many projects fail to achieve their goals.

So Aim First....

1️⃣ Have a Vision - A vision may be intangible, but it should be clear enough to keep you focused on your ultimate goal. It will help you make better decisions when faced with challenges.

2️⃣ Define A Tangible Outcome with Numbers - Delivering change is about the outcome, not the process. What do you want to achieve with this project? Putting a "box on a shelf" changes nothing.

3️⃣ Resist the Temptation to "do stuff" - Activity can look good, but it's not a substitute for thoughtfulness. Spend time thinking deeply about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your project. This will be worth it in the end.

4️⃣ Align - Everyone involved in the project should understand and support the approach, even if they don't agree with every detail. This will prevent future problems and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.

How many times have you seen a "fire, ready, aim" project lead to waste?

Is your purpose always clear, or does it emerge along the way?