Execution Mode vs. Exploratory Mode
And when you need each
One of the best things I learned from Clay Christensen was this—
Advice is useless if it doesn’t come with an if-then statement.
If the person advising you doesn’t say:
IF you’re in THIS situation, THEN do this…
But IF you’re in THAT situation, THEN do that…
Then they’re essentially saying: In ALL situations, do this.
Which is patently, obviously useless.
(But can sound very smart when dressed up the right way).
Yesterday, I told you that I disappeared for 7 weeks because I wanted to step back and think about my business: Where am I trying to go, and how do I get there?
I came back when I realized the answer was: I DON’T need to think. I need to get through 100 failures as fast as possible.
Here’s why I know this is the right answer.
IF you know where you’re trying to go AND how to get there…
THEN you should make a thoughtful plan and execute it excellently.
I call this Execution Mode.
IF you don’t know where you’re trying to go AND/OR how to get there…
THEN you should get through 100 failures as fast as possible.
I call this Exploratory Mode.
📊 Execution Mode works in high-data situations
Let’s say you want to go to a top law school.
That’s a tough goal, but it’s also very clear, and the path is also pretty clear.
So, deploy Execution Mode:
Plan everything out: How you’re going to get a high GPA, a great LSAT score, awesome rec letters, etc.
And then execute that plan as well as you can
🤔 Exploratory Mode is needed in low-data situations
When I found myself stuck in my business, having built one thing but knowing I wanted more…
But simultaneously struggling to articulate exactly what “more” was, beyond a vague outline.
And therefore struggling to make a step-by-step plan that would lead to “more”...
I was in a classic low-data, Exploratory-Mode-requiring situation.
And here’s a simple way to know if you’re in one too:
If you’ve been stuck or spinning for >2 weeks, you need Exploratory Mode.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to get to where you want to go.
It’s okay if you’re in the double-unknown, untethered fog of not knowing what you want OR how to get there.
You will only stay stuck if you keep THINKING about it.
Because when you think about it, your brain will output “I don’t know”...
OR it will output a different answer every day…
NOT because you have a stupid brain, unrealistic desires, or a lack of commitment…
But because your brain does not have enough DATA to output a good answer.
When I say “get through 100 failures as fast as possible”…
What I mean is “create 100 data points as fast as possible.”
Tomorrow, I’m going to tell you about the 3 kinds of inflection points high achievers face in their careers, and why you need Exploratory Mode when you’re in one of them.
Keep an eye on your inbox for that :)