Why Focusing on Form Rocks

Posted February 13, 2007 in Leadership, Starting It, 14 Comments »

Scenario: "Dude, our results suck. We suck. Ahh!"

You're either in one of two camps:

  1. "I focus on results."
  2. "I focus on form, and let results take care of themselves."

Most people fit the former.

Besides, focusing solely on results comes naturally because:

  1. It's easy.
  2. It's fast.
  3. 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:
  1. I will be a starter.
  2. I will average 15 points a game.
  3. 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?

  1. I will be a starter.
  2. I will average 15 points a game.
  3. 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:
  1. "I have to work on using my legs more to power my shot."
  2. "I have to keep my elbow in and directly under the ball more."
  3. "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:

  1. Johnny wants $5.
  2. Sally wants to sell lemonade.
At the end of the day:
  1. Johnny makes nothing.
  2. 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

  1. Set a goal.
  2. List the means to get there.
  3. Focus on those means.

You'll amplify your chances to rock the world.

Form = Sexy.

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14 Comments on Why Focusing on Form Rocks

AL

Posted @ 05:58 AM on February 13, 2007

"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

Posted @ 07:29 PM on February 13, 2007

"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

Posted @ 05:03 AM on February 14, 2007

Hi Al,

Thanks for the compliment! You rock :)

-Andrew

The Trizle Team

Posted @ 05:05 AM on February 14, 2007

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

Posted @ 07:29 PM on February 20, 2007

results form rocks. i should follow the advice more :)

Alex

Posted @ 06:00 AM on April 25, 2007

Thank You

home insurence

Posted @ 09:56 PM on July 31, 2007

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

Posted @ 04:39 AM on August 03, 2007

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

Posted @ 03:18 PM on August 07, 2007

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

Posted @ 04:27 PM on August 09, 2007

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

Posted @ 05:59 AM on August 11, 2007

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

Posted @ 10:33 PM on August 16, 2007

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

Posted @ 07:12 AM on August 19, 2007

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

Posted @ 01:37 PM on March 24, 2008

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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