07/29/2026
"The key to success is to do what you say you're going to do"
~AC
This has been my motto prominently for about a year now. Every time I bump into an issue in life, it's because somebody didn't do what they said they were going to do, myself included.
Take it from Charlie and Bob, founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. They did what they said they would do and look at the entity that has been built, the land thats been conserved, the habitat thats been created, the relationships established, the hunts made possible, all because of follow through. All because they did what they said they would do.
Monday included a road trip for some business meetings, and a short pit stop at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation headquarters - a to-do item my husband and I had on our list for quite some time now.
I was delighted to discover this placard outside the RMEF front entrance, especially because it has been my motto repeatedly for the last several business quarters.
We have fired subcontractors, terminated relationships, or discontinued patronizing businesses for this one sole reason and the results are fascinating. Our business relationships have strengthened, respect is established, our friendships are more meaningful, projects run smoother, all because we choose to partner with and spend time and energy with people who DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO.
People who have integrity.
Certainly circumstances arise which inhibit the ability to deliver on your promises and that's okay. It's okay as long as you have enough integrity and humbleness to assert the changes, except responsibility, reconfigure your plan and move forward. No pushing blame, no ignoring, no dishonestly.
Why is it so hard for humans to admit and accept fault? We're human after all. We're created imperfectly, we all make mistakes. Yet every single day I encounter people who hide behind an excuse, or try to push blame or jump on the defensive making unlogical "reason" rather than just saying, I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Let's make this right and move forward.
The next time you bump up against the problem pause and consider if the problem would exist if everyone had done what they said they would do. Including yourself. If you say you're going to lose 10 lb but fail to eat better or or start building muscle have you really done what you said you would do? Is there anyone to blame but yourself? There's a difference between trying and doing. Doing means you put a plan in place and carry it out. "Trying" means you were never committed in the first place.
Test my theory. The next time you commit to doing something, think about how you will fulfill the commitment. If you realize you cannot deliver on a promise, accept responsibility for the change, assert your fault, communicate the change to all involved and make a new plan to move forward. You'll be shocked by how easy life gets. You'll earn the respect of like-minded people. Schedules will run smoother. You'll learn what really is important to you.
I'll go first. I committed to posting a motivational post each Monday. I failed to complete one this past Monday. I could give 9 reasons why but it doesn't matter. What matters is that I am owning my failure to command my schedule for follow through, and I am moving forward by posting now. I hope you'll forgive me for the delay.
Happy 2 days late.
