Commitment and Follow Through
by Kevin Jones

How many people do you know that actually do what they say they are going to do? 
Why don’t people follow through? 
Do you make false promises?

The easiest way to have the best opportunity to follow through is to have your commitments in writing and in front of you several times a day.  Maybe on a “To Do List”, “Task List”, 3X5 cards in your pocket, whatever works best for you.  For some it works best to physically have their commitments in writing, maybe in multiple locations throughout their day, posted on the mirror in the bathroom at home, on the sunvisor or their car, a 3X5 card in their shirt pocket, etc.  For others it could be on a task list on their PDA phone that they check multiple times throughout the day.  You will have to design the best system for you.

Once you your commitments are written down, read them aloud several times daily, feel the activity or project taking place, visualize the task being done and actually see it being completed by you in your mind.  Once you do this over and over, you will honestly and truly believe that it will be completed by you, at this point you now own that task and you will find the means to complete that task through your various resources.  One of the biggest and easiest self motivators is the combination of visualization and belief.  Napolean Hill summed it up brilliantly: “What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

If you need help, which most people do, it is always better to ask for help when you need it then to stumble around aimlessly because of your ego.  All ego’s aside, another way is to have an accountability partner that can be a constant positive reminder of that task or goal did not get done or is in progress and to give praise upon completion of the task, goal or commitment.  This person should always be a positive influence on you to obtain the best possible long term results.  An accountability partner could be someone you see everyday like a spouse, friend, relative, etc. or it could be someone that you designate to speak with by phone or email at pre-given times.  Sometimes it is two business professionals that hold each other accountable for specific task, goals or items.  It can be as simple as at specified times you might email your accountability partner progress reports of your activity or accomplishments.  The two of you can set rules that if you do not follow through on your commitment there is a consequece, like for each time you don’t follow through your accountability partner gets to mail one of your checks with a donation to a charity or organization you don’t like or approve of.  If you make the consequence emotionally painful, you will strive with all your might not to let that consequence happen, which will in turn push you to your positive result!

Lastly, you can have a Mentor or Personal Coach that will hold you accountable and respoonsible for getting your tasks done daily and following through with your commitments.  A Mentor or Coach is usually trained in how to hold you accountable or through personal experience has learn the successful techniques of life.  Your Mentor or Coach should also know how to motivate you and keep you on track to obtain your written goals.

Many people act and react differently based upon their past.  Some are motiviated by pain, others by pleasure and a select few are motivated by both.  A good Mentor or Coach will recognize your habits, conditioning and response patterns to help you achieve maximum achievement in minimum time!  Always be truthful with your accountability partner, mentor or coach because in the end it only hurts you!

Get maximum achievement from you life!
It’s All About YOU
by Kevin Jones