Even if you're not a big fan of sports, I'm sure that you can appreciate the need for a strong follow through in certain activities. When you are attempting a jump shot in basketball, it's great to have form and a good release, but you need to have a good follow through to increase your chances of obtaining your goal of making the shot. The same can be said for a golf swing. It's good to have a strong swing, and good aim, but you also need to follow through for good results.
Life and business is no different when it comes to this simple need. It's not a difficult concept by any stretch of the imagination, but it seems to be very difficult for many people to set into motion. The simple act of following through. It's easy to start things, but it's far more important to finish what you start. This is the sort of thing that can not really be taught, you're either willing to do what needs to be done or not.
When you consider the importance of planning and setting goals for yourself, both personal and business related, you also must consider the importance of staying the course. You have laid your path before you and you need to follow through order to achieve the success that you desire. People will remember those of us that veer off track and do not do what we say we will.
I don't personally write down my goals and plans, I just know where I want to be and how I plan to get there. For me it's a mental thing that drives me to do what it takes to move forward. The greatest laid plan in the world will do you no good at all if you don't make the effort to follow through with the plan. You are simply spinning your wheels or running in place and you need to move forward. So set your goals, make your plans to achieve them, and then remember that you have to follow through with the plan in order for them to do you any good.
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JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors
I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.
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Hi JL
You are right on target.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Following through is the key. Anyone can dream ...... doing something about it is a different story. It's like having information and not putting it into action....it becomes mute.
JL...
I agree with you, a good follow is important both in sports and in business. It's something that I have to work on ... a lot!
Lou,
I'm a firm believer in goals and follow through. It is so much easier to write them down and revise @ certain intervals of the year. It's a measurement that can be analyzed and changed as the need determines. Here is to a successful year in 2009 for you!
Well I agree that follow through is important. The only thing I would say is that no matter what guru you listen to or rad about, they all say you need to write down your goals as part of you planning. Writing the goal on paper somehow helps us realize the goals better, and I have found when I write the goal down and look at it often, I seem to achieve it easier.
JL - You really hit the nail on the head here. After the fear of trying, the inability to execute is what separates us from our dreams. These are 2 things I've really tried to be consious of in my own life. It can sometimes be hard to set aside the excuses and do what needs to be done, but the results are worth it. BTW, my golf swing requires a good follow-through. I have to get the club head out the way so I can see the exact spot my ball enters the woods.
I agree with the follow thru, but I have to write it down. The older I get the less I remember.
Hi JL. I am interested in your last comment. There seems to be a lot of attention on written business plans, but, for me, the more important focus is on the people you are working with and the quality of the service you provide. I don't write everything down either.
sometimes that's easier said than done my friend! I've never been good at writting my goals down.
I like the analogy JL. I see so many people in many walks of life start out strong only to let off on their intensity towards the end.
JL, Oh my gosh, you hit the nail on the head again. I used to be really great at starting....painting the fence, weeding the garden bed, getting the buyer. Then, the fence looked neglected. The weeds were only half as high. But the buyer...oh, they got the house!!! Priorties, man, priorties.
JL, it is all about not letting things fall through the crack whether you are structured or winging it.
I'm with Greg, I have a hard time writing them down but it's hard to argue with a guy like Gary Keller who insists it has been a critical part of his success.
JL,
Very good point on following thru, just like my golf shot when I don't follow thru I am in deep dookey!!
I like to write things down. I get such a feeling of accomplishment when I can cross things off!
JL- I hear a lot of great plans from many agents, but see very little follow through. You are so right. It takes follow through otherwise even plans that are written down aren't going anywhere.
Hi JL-I love the analogy and how well written it is. Great advice and thoughts. <SMILE>
Lou- Thank you sir.
Sally- It can become a waste without the effort to use it.
Richard- I think we all need to constantly work on it my friend.
Dorie- Plans will almost always have to be revised.
Jim- I hear that all the time as well.
Erik- Once we make it through those issues, we are usually good to go.
Allen- I can understand that my friend.
Bob- If you follow through by providing quality service, then you're ahead of the curve.
Nino- That's why not everyone can do it.
Bill- It can cause one to miss out.
Suzanne- Well, you do have to go after the most important thing first.
Gary- I can agree to that.
Brian- I hear people say that, but I haven't found it to be critical to mine yet.
Don- My golf swing is terrible regardless.
Laura- I can understand that.
Kim- You have to make it happen.
Sharon- It seemed to be good advice to me.