Why Focusing on Form Rocks
Scenario: "Dude, our results suck. We suck. Ahh!" You're either in one of two camps:
- "I focus on results."
- "I focus on form, and let results take care of themselves."
Most people fit the former. Besides, focusing solely on results comes naturally because:
- It's easy.
- It's fast.
- It take barely any thinking.
That's why most people would rather buy a lottery ticket, than work hard for the Benjamins. Yet, who builds super-successful startups, play in the NBA, win American Idols, or write bestsellers? Those who focus on form, then let the mutha-@#$%^& results take care of their-mutha-@#$%^&-selves.
How Results Blind You
Focusing solely on results distracts you from achieving those results. Peep this basketball analogy: Say Janie's about to play her first season of organized basketball. Before the season, she makes her goals:
- I will be a starter.
- I will average 15 points a game.
- I will win the team's MVP.
The first game ends. She's not a starter, she scored 5 points, and she's the 7th person on her team's depth chart. What goes through her subconscious brain going into the second game?
- I will be a starter.
- I will average 15 points a game.
- I will win the team's MVP.
That "Just-have-the-faith!" mindset becomes a vicious cycle that lasts until the season ends. Then, the inevitable comes: "Oh, what just did happen?!" Before shes know it, season = over; results = unachieved.
What Badass Baller You Do
Instead thinking "I will score 15 points a game," you tell bad-self:
- "I have to work on using my legs more to power my shot."
- "I have to keep my elbow in and directly under the ball more."
- "I need to start squaring up to the basket when I'm shooting."
What automatically happens? You boost your chances of scoring 15-mutha-@#$%^&-points-a-game. Focusing on form = sexy.
Another Analogy: The Lemonade Stand
Two five-year olds:
- Johnny wants $5.
- Sally wants to sell lemonade.
At the end of the day:
- Johnny makes nothing.
- Sally makes $5.
Yes, you need goals to rock. But, when you're focusing solely on them, you're tearing apart your chances to achieve those goals. Instead, do this shizzle:
How to Rock Your Business
- Set a goal.
- List the means to get there.
- Focus on those means.
You'll amplify your chances to rock the world.
Form = Sexy.
Read More Business Tips From Trizle »
14 Comments
on Why Focusing on Form Rocks
AL
2007-02-13 05:58:12 UTC
"These who focus on form, then let the mutha-@#$%^& results take care of their-mutha-@#$%^&-selves."
I love this casual style of writing. Totally agree with your point.
Hendy Irawan
2007-02-13 19:29:49 UTC
"Form?" This reminds me of: ;-)
1. Plato
2. Visual Basic
I wholeheartedly agree that this should be the focus of every businessman.
Companies, though, not only require this (which is sometimes called "strategy"), but also clear, nominal goals. (like "20% growth by the end of second quarter of 2007")
A "form" (Andrew's term) or strategy, is the only means necessary to achieve success. However, adding a clear-defined end result, will allow us to evaluate what we've done.
This is especially true if we want to switch strategies often.
For one week, Sally sells lemonade, getting average of $5/day.
For the next week, Sally sells them with chips, getting average of $7/day.
Sally can think, "Oh I'm making $2 more per day using the latter strategy," by comparing it relative to her previous strategy.
But relative comparison sometimes will make you chasing the wrong tail.
Suppose she made a goal, "I want to make $10/day."
With the first strategy, she can say, "Ah, I'm 50% effective."
With the latter, she'll say, "Ah, I'm 70% effective."
Along with a little bit of guidelines, she'll constantly evaluating (and optimizing) her strategy (and in turn, her end results--and hopefully, her customers' happiness), while still keeping on track with her original values and business principles. (some would say "mission & vision")
Whew, am I mumbling?
The Trizle Team
2007-02-14 05:05:49 UTC
Hendy,
Absolutely amazing point. Having a goal helps you evaluate what you've done = priceless advice. Thanks, Hendy!
That's what some of us without goals tend to miss. We might think we did something well -- but without a goal to measure ourselves, we don't know how well we should've done.
anon
2007-02-20 19:29:43 UTC
results form rocks. i should follow the advice more :)
Alex
2007-04-25 06:00:37 UTC
Thank You
home insurence
2007-07-31 21:56:53 UTC
Basically nothing seems worth doing, but whatever.
I just don't have anything to say recently, but eh. Not much on my mind right now, but that's how it is.
tropicial fish
2007-08-03 04:39:53 UTC
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen.
More or less not much happening right now. I just don't have anything to say right now, but it's not important.
8gb n91 nokia
2007-08-07 15:18:35 UTC
I haven't been up to anything recently. My life's been really boring lately.
Whatever. Today was a complete loss. Basically nothing seems important.
dictionary websters
2007-08-09 16:27:15 UTC
I haven't been up to anything recently. My life's been really boring lately.
Whatever. Today was a complete loss. Basically nothing seems important.
www websters dictionary
2007-08-11 05:59:45 UTC
I just don't have much to say these days, but I guess it doesn't bother me.
What can I say? I haven't been up to much these days.
More or less nothing seems worth bothering with.
bussiness-travel
2007-08-16 22:33:27 UTC
I can't be bothered with anything lately. Maybe tomorrow. Such is life.
I haven't been up to much recently, not that it matters.
Basically not much happening these days, but eh.
spainish-translation
2007-08-19 07:12:08 UTC
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen.
I haven't gotten much done lately.
My life's been completely bland lately, but so it goes. Not much on my mind these days.
Gastakyjada
2008-03-24 13:37:44 UTC
I am trying to use this pic as an avatar but it would not load? Is it me or is this feature turned off?
Me in San Francisco2008
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