|
The real joy of accomplishment is not only to complete a task, but to finish it with excitement and excellence. Follow through with total commitment. We are doing just that with the end of our five part series, and I hope you have enjoyed learning to live Off Balance On Purpose (OBOP). OBOP is not only a philosophy for living, but also a process for focusing your efforts and gaining control during times of turmoil, chaos, or confusion. As you read these messages, it's up to you to provide the context, based on your own personal experience and the challenges you are presently facing. If you are just joining the series or would like to review the previous editions, click the active links. The five steps of Off Balance On Purpose are: Remember this process is one you can apply to answer life's BIG questions, such as "Why am I here?", "What should I be doing with my life?", or"How can I reclaim my confidence and motivation?" But OBOP is also a day-to-day, moment-to-moment approach to utilize your time and keep your focus on the next positive steps you can take. With practice and repetition, you will develop the habit of quickly assessing Off Balance situations and choosing Purposeful action. Step Five: Follow Through The last five percent. The last two percent. The last one percent of any job is often the hardest. Usually, it is the most critical. Always, it is more involved and time consuming than we had Following through is disciplined execution. As you get within striking distance from done, a few paces from completion, something bizarre happens. The finish line moves. Really, it does. It recedes into the distance, obscured by new, unanticipated details and to-dos that stand between you and victory. Fail to follow though and... It's a matter of perspective. What we think is the last 2% may actually be the last 10%. We don't really know, especially if it is a project we haven't done before, or a race we've never run. For me, this was absolutely the case when I wrote and published Success in Action. For two years I kept saying "It's almost finished." Two years! And I actually believed it was almost finished. I hadn't written a book before and didn't completely understand all the intricate details involved in the final process: Edits upon edits, layout, graphic design, printer selection, color correction (to get the cover images just right), and - what it all comes down to - quality control. I could have quit and called the race complete. But, then all my previous efforts would have lost value and fallen short of their potential. The same is true now with the audio version of the book. The project is so near completion I can taste it, but the final edits, volume adjustments, music additions, and other "small details" are what will make all the difference. It comes back to quality - my reputation for delivering value and producing the best product I possibly can is far more important than my self-imposed and uninformed deadline. "Get it right the first time. That's the main thing." Billy Joel Into Action 2. Take some comfort in how far you have already traveled. You don't want to waste that effort or, at the very least, have it diminish in importance or meaning. Stay the course. Keep putting those feet in front of one another. Find the rhythm of your movements and resist the temptation to sprint to the finish line. Slow, steady, purposeful progress will get you there soon enough. 3. Go to eleven. If "start to finish" is a scale of one to ten. Go to eleven. Go just a little farther than others would have, and you will stand out by far. Depending on your project, this may involve an extra layer of thought, a few choice details, and a level of execution that goes beyond the ordinary. Assuming that quality is there, the extra touches will make your previous efforts shine and make the end result uniquely you. Thank you for following through with the Off Balance On Purpose series. It's been a fun journey to continue to evolve these thoughts and hear your feedback. Don't stop now. Finish what you started, and do it with excellence, style and character. Follow thorough with YOU! As always, I invite you to share your insights and questions with me. I promise I will respond personally. And every ending is really a new beginning. Be sure to stay tuned for next month's new and exciting message. Until then, live boldly with purpose! With encouragement always, Dan P.S. You asked for it... you got it! Here's a brand new DVD of a power-packed Success in Action LIVE presentation. And, as an Action Mail Subscriber, you get to I know you'll enjoy and benefit from this product. Click here to learn more about receiving this content rich, highly entertaining DVD at a very special price!
|
||||||
Dan Thurmon is the President of Motivation Works, Inc. and a nationally recognized professional speaker. He delivers "Speaking with Visual Impact" and helps individuals to transcend the ordinary, find balance and achieve breakthroughs in all areas of life. To learn more about Dan's programs, products, or services, visit his web site at www.danthurmon.com.
|
||||||
© 2005 Motivation Works, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
||||||
imagined. That's because, before a project begins, we don't generally imagine all the details involved with the final effort. Sure, in our visualizations we picture the end result- the attainment of our goals. The prize. We also gravitate to consider the enormity of the challenges - the 99% - that will take us almost to the finish line. But, as we approach the finish line, we are often exhausted, anxious for completion, and ready to move on.
