follow

You’re sitting around doing nothing, or maybe at the office having a conversation, when suddenly the best idea in the world strikes!  It doesn’t just happen to you, it happens to almost everyone, everywhere.  But why isn’t the world awash in free energy, anti-grav packs and time machines?

Lack of FUFT.

I really don’t like sports metaphors, but they really fit in this particular instance.  Let’s say you get invited to play golf.  You put your ball on the tee, pull the driver back over your shoulder, and. . . stand there.  Just stand there, with the club head pointed up in the air.  How far does the ball go?  It doesn’t.  You haven’t even attempted to swing at it.  Maybe you’re afraid you’ll flub the shot in front of your partners.  Whatever.  The point is, the ball can’t go anywhere because you haven’t put the effort into attempting to drive the ball.

Second scenario.  You pull the club back, and with a mighty swing you bring the club head down and. . . stop it as it hits the ball.  The ball pops off the tee and travels maybe 30 yards.  If you play the game taking swings like that – just hitting the ball, it’s going to take you all day to make it through nine holes, if the course is completely empty.  People who start out behind you will go around, or maybe drive across town to another course.

Third scenario.  You tee up on the first hole, swing the club through the ball and back up in the air on the other side.  It’s a monster drive!  The ball travels 270 yards, magically winding up on the green about 10 feet from the hole.  You place the driver back in your bag, pick it up and head back to your car, telling your friends you have to go pet your dog.

In each of the above examples, no FUFT.

Follow Up, Follow Through.  These four words are why good – maybe even mediocre – ideas come to pass.  Sure, a few great ones as well.  But it’s the people who apply the FUFT Principle – Follow Up and Follow Through – who get things accomplished.

Not everything is worth completing.  But that’s why you need to Follow Up.  Check to see if anyone else is working on the idea you just had.  Is there a need for your great new product or service?  Is someone already selling it?  Do customers like their version?  What can you do to make your version better?

And this is NOT strictly a business principle.  You’re sitting at a social event when you see someone and think, “I’d like to go on a date with that person.”  FUFT!  Go meet them, chat, get a number.  You’ve followed up, now follow through by calling them and actually meeting for a burger or movie.  FUFT is a principle that will serve you throughout your life.

But you can’t just “learn” it or “know” it – you need to apply it.  You’ll be amazed at what can actually happen the next time you have a light bulb go off over your head, and you apply the FUFT Principle.