The Birder’s Guide to Achieving Goals: Applying Proven Productivity Principles

Red-throated Twinspot - Photo Adam Cruickshank

I’ve recently been going through a productivity course with Mark Tittley, the person who actually kicked off my birding journey. Not only is Mark a fantastic birder, but he’s also probably the most productive person I know. The course is based on his book, The Productive Life, and right at the start, one quote really challenged me: “The Productive Life is all about being excellent and doing great things throughout your life—not just in your work life.”

I've been working on becoming more productive at work and am slowly seeing good results. This led me to wonder: could some of the principles I’m learning be applied to my birding as well?

I’ve met so many people who’ve set birding goals and seen them come to life—whether it’s completing a Big Year, planning a dream birding trip, or reaching specific life list targets. I’m amazed at the progress some birders achieve in a short time. Yet, as a birder, I often find myself with a wide range of unfinished goals. Since I’m seeing these productivity principles work in my professional life, why shouldn’t they also work in birding?

You might wonder, “Why? Isn’t this just a hobby—something just for fun?” But I believe there’s a deep satisfaction that comes from reaching a goal. This joy of achievement, I think, is part of our DNA, encouraging us to keep reaching higher in every area of life.

So, how can we achieve the goals we set as birders?

In The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), Chris McChesney, along with co-authors Sean Covey and Jim Huling, outlines a framework for achieving important goals through focused execution. Although originally designed for business, the 4DX model emphasizes clarity, focus, and disciplined action—principles that can be applied to many areas of life, including birding.

Here’s how I’m using the 4DX method to plan my own birding journey. I hope this sparks ideas for you and helps you achieve some of your own birding goals.

1. Focus on the Wildly Important

If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of goals you’d like to achieve. Often, I find myself setting goals in a burst of inspiration—only to see them fade over time. For much of my life, I was great at setting goals but not so good at achieving them.

The 4DX method encourages focusing on only a few "Wildly Important Goals" (WIGs). Rather than spreading yourself thin, you prioritize a couple of meaningful goals and dedicate resources to achieving them. If you have too many goals, you’re likely to achieve only a few. To decide on your WIGs, consider what you’re most passionate about, your birding style, and what aligns with who you are.

For 2025, my two WIGs are:

• Confidently identify albatrosses on the Flock to Marion Cruise.

• Spot 265 species in my local area within the calendar year.

2. Act on the Lead Measures

Let me quote the book to explain the difference between lag and lead measures: “Lag measures are the tracking measurements of the wildly important goal…lead measures are quite different in that they are the measures of the most high-impact things your team must do to reach the goal.” In short, lead measures are the actions you take that can directly impact achieving your goal.

For instance, it’s challenging to measure my confidence in identifying albatrosses, but there are steps I can take to help realize that goal. Lead measures are proactive and within one’s control, while lag measures show the outcomes of actions taken. Lead measures make goals achievable by determining what I need to do now to ensure future success.

Here are my lead measures for each WIG:

For WIG 1 (Identify albatrosses):

• Spend at least 2 hours a week studying albatross species in field guides and taking notes.

• Register for the BirdLife South Africa Flock Seabird Identification courses.

For WIG 2 (265 local species):

• Review SABAP data on species I could encounter in the area, familiarizing myself with visuals and calls.

• Atlas each local pentad at least once a month.

3. Keep a Compelling Scorecard

To stay motivated, create a visible, simple scorecard to track your progress. People perform better when they know they’re winning or losing. A scorecard keeps you engaged as you work toward your goals.

There are plenty of options—Microsoft Excel, Notion, Trello, or even a handwritten journal. What’s important is that you can see your progress.

Here’s how I plan to track my progress:

For WIG 1 (Identify albatrosses):

• In Notion, I’ll set a goal of completing at least four half-hour study sessions each week.

• For the BirdLife Seabird Identification course, I’ll use Excel to track each session, ensuring I watch each one twice before the cruise.

For WIG 2 (265 local species):

• I’ll create an Excel sheet listing all the local pentads and check off each survey, aiming to cover each one at least 12 times a year.

 4. Create a Cadence of Accountability

One reason I keep up with my Daily Birder email is the accountability—I have 1,500 subscribers who would notice if I stopped. I don’t want to look like a failure, so I keep it going! Accountability is a powerful motivator for achieving goals, so look for ways to build accountability into your birding routine.

- For WIG 1: I’ll set up a WhatsApp group with other birders with similar goals to share support and accountability.

- For WIG 2: I’ll tell others about my 265-species challenge to create external accountability—I don’t want to announce a goal and then fall short!

I hope these ideas help and inspire you to achieve your own birding goals. If you’re interested in developing your personal productivity, consider check out this page (https://bit.ly/YouCanBeProductive) to find out more and connect with Mark for a free introductory chat about his course.