# Three Phases of Execution By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-09-02 Execution is typically viewed as an action-oriented activity. Execution is doing; it comprises the three phases: anticipation, doing, and reflection. As such, execution extends both before and after the doing. In some respects, the doing is the shortest phase. Which phase, or phases, do people tend to benefit most from or enjoy? Do people enjoy doing things or enjoy thinking about and reflecting on what they have done? Doing things can be a drag. It requires the most direct work. Thinking about it as anticipation or reflection takes less physical activity. Plus, those two aspects are amenable to distortion. Organizations suffer from activity bias. They always want to be doing something, changing something. Thinking more is often beneficial but ultimately unpopular. In thinking, examining the types of things workers and managers enjoy anticipating is useful. Knowing what one is looking forward to helps one enact it. Reflecting on this topic is useful in examining the types of things delivered upon execution. If the anticipated thing does not make things better upon execution, the organization may need to address its anticipatory thinking more critically. Broadening execution to include pre-and post-thinking provides important context for understanding and assessment. A beneficial adage for organizations is “Think more, do less.” This could be extended with, “…but, do something.” #### Related Items [[Execution]] [[Work]] [[Organization]] [[Action]] [[Reflection]] [[Thinking]] [[Preferences]]