You’re Only As Good as Your Ability to Follow Through

In a world filled with empty promises and unfulfilled commitments, the trait of follow-through stands as a beacon of integrity and distinction. It is the quality that separates those who merely talk a lot from those who take action. Follow-through demands courage, commitment, and time. It requires individuals to honor their words, both to themselves and to others.

Follow-through seems to be an increasingly rare trait these days. Moments are fleeting. People avoid face-to-face interactions. Everyone has the ability to openly air their opinions online, yet rarely do they face any true consequences because they can just hide behind social media and the internet. I dare half the keyboard warriors that talk shit on the internet to say those same words to someone’s face. It just wouldn’t happen.

Unfortunately, the invaluable trait of following through seems to be diminishing in our society. As humans, we’re really good at lying to ourselves. We’re excellent liars, and we often don’t follow through. We procrastinate. We avoid discomfort and make excuses. We build walls to protect ourselves. We say we’ll get to things tomorrow, and then tomorrow slips away…again.

A great example comes from entrepreneur and powerlifter Mark “Smelly” Bell in the video “Lifting & Life: Follow Through”. He takes a very strong position and uses passionate language to convey his point, all of which I appreciate. The first 2 minutes are pretty powerful and do a great job of capturing the essence of what I’m trying to convey. (Note — watch for profanity if you’re at work or with your kids).

“Actions speak louder than words, but not nearly as often.” -Mark Twain

At the end of the day, words without action are merely empty promises. There are plenty of different reasons for the lack of follow-through these days. The majority of these have no intended malice but are nonetheless littered with laziness, avoidance, and a lackadaisical attitude. The next time you are debating breaking a promise (to yourself or others), consider the following:

1. The Power of Follow-Through: Follow-through is not just a buzzword; it is a powerful force that can drive success. While many people possess great ideas and make ambitious plans, only a fraction actually act upon them. The ability to follow through turns intentions into actions and ideas into reality. It signifies a person’s reliability, discipline, and determination to see things through to completion.
2. Courage and Commitment: Follow-through requires courage — the willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone and confront challenges head-on. It takes commitment to remain steadfast in the face of obstacles and setbacks. It is easy to talk about doing something, but it takes true bravery to turn those words into deeds. Without follow-through, even the most brilliant ideas remain mere fantasies.
3. Keeping Your Word Builds Trust: One of the foundational ingredients of trust is reliability. When you commit to something and follow through on your promises, you build trust and credibility with others. This applies not only to your interactions with others but also to your relationship with yourself. By keeping your word, you foster self-confidence and develop a sense of personal integrity. People who consistently follow through become known as dependable people who can be relied upon.
4. The Erosion of Follow-Through in the Digital Age: In the age of social media and the internet, face-to-face interactions have become less common. This shift has created an environment where people can easily express opinions and make commitments without facing significant consequences. Behind the veil of online anonymity, accountability and follow-through often fall by the wayside. It is easier to talk, criticize, and make promises when there is no immediate confrontation or real-world repercussions.
5. Challenging the Status Quo: To restore the value of follow-through, we must challenge the prevailing norms. We should encourage face-to-face interactions and hold ourselves accountable for our words and commitments, both online and offline. Genuine connections and open dialogues allow for deeper understanding and empathy, fostering an environment where follow-through becomes the norm rather than the exception.

In a world where talk is abundant but action is scarce, the ability to follow through emerges as a rare and admirable trait. It requires courage, commitment, and the determination to honor one’s word. While the digital age has provided new avenues for expression, it has also created an environment where accountability takes a backseat.

By reclaiming face-to-face interactions and holding ourselves accountable, we can revive the importance of follow-through. Let us remember that our true worth lies not in our words alone but in our ability to turn them into meaningful actions.

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