Great execution is the difference between those who fly & those who fall

“The way to start is to quit talking and begin doing.”

This quote, by Walt Disney, is plastered on the walls of the Startup House. Every time I pass the poster, I am reminded of how lucky I am. About 10 months ago, I first sat down in the class that would alter my course and potentially change my life. This class at Georgia Tech, Startup Lab, showed me the wonderful world of startups, shimmering in the distance and then swiftly shoved me off the cliff, to see if I would fly. By pushing me off the cliff, the folks at VentureLab showed me the path to begin doing.

Jumping off the cliff is the first step in doing. Don’t get me wrong, it is most certainly an achievement; plenty never make it that far. However, it is not the hard part. Someone can come along and push you off the cliff (my case). The difference lies between those who fall and those who take flight. Only those with the perseverance to fight against the wind can pull out of that nose-dive and avoid the rocks below. Only those with the stamina and power-of-will to continue beating against the air can defy gravity and begin to gain altitude. My friends, starting is great, but it is execution that matters.

There are maybe ten people (probably more) who have the exact same idea as FIXD. Heck, many of them are probably better, but the best idea doesn’t matter. Can anyone tell me who was in first place at the 10m mark in the Men’s 400m race at the 1996 Olympics? No, but plenty of people can tell me that Michael Johnson was the first to cross the finish line, and brought home the gold medal. Great ideas are a dime a dozen, but great execution is the difference between those who fly and those who fall. At FIXD, we execute. No matter how strict the deadline, how tight the budget, or how tall the challenge we find a way to get it done and get it done right. Only time will tell if this mantra of execution holds true or if there is another piece to the puzzle I am missing. Whichever way, you will be the first to know.

About the Author: John Gattuso will be sharing monthly updates about his experience as a student with a startup living in GT’s Startup House. Check out his introduction & September update, and  stay tuned to follow his journey as a budding entrepreneur.

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