The failure of the topic of following through to get even a sliver of a sliver of the attention it deserves has been the bane of my existence.
After all, I’ve made it my life’s work to (1) understand why people so often do such a lousy job of making good on their own good intentions, and (2) identify and develop strategies that enable people to do a better job of acting in accord with their own good intentions. I’ve seen close-up how poor follow through robs people of all ages and backgrounds of otherwise achievable success. And I’ve discovered that not only can people learn how to follow through better, they become far more productive and satisfied once they do.
It’s driving me crazy
A day rarely goes by when I don’t ask myself what I’m missing. What am I doing wrong? What could I do differently to make the topic of following through resonate more for more people?
The truth is, at this stage in my life and career, I have little interest in money or fame. All I really care about is making a positive difference in the lives of as many people as possible. That’s why it drives me crazy that I haven’t been able to convince more people to take the topic of following through more seriously.
What Artificial Intelligence thinks
So, recently, out of sheer desperation, I decided to pick Artificial Intelligence’s brain about why following through doesn’t get the attention it so obviously deserves.
I was surprised (OK, maybe a little relieved) to learn that AI is as frustrated as I am! Here’s some of what Microsoft’s AI (CoPilot) had to say:
“The topic of following through—actually completing what we start or commit to—is incredibly important, yet it often gets overshadowed by more glamorous or exciting topics like goal-setting, motivation, or innovation. Here are a few reasons why it might not get the attention it deserves:
- It’s Not as Glamorous. Starting something new is exciting and full of potential. It’s easy to romanticize the beginning of a journey. Following through, on the other hand, involves discipline, repetition, and often mundane effort. It lacks the sparkle of novelty.
- It Challenges Our Self-Image. Talking about follow-through forces us to confront our inconsistencies, procrastination, or lack of discipline. It’s easier to focus on intentions and aspirations than to reflect on the gap between what we say and what we do.
- It’s Hard to Measure and Market. Motivation and goal-setting are easier to package into books, talks, and courses. Follow-through is more about daily habits, grit, and accountability, which are harder to commodify or make instantly appealing.
- Cultural Emphasis on Hustle and Ideas. In many cultures, especially in entrepreneurial or creative spaces, there’s a strong emphasis on ideation, vision, and starting up. The quiet, persistent work of follow-through doesn’t always align with the fast-paced, results-now mindset.
- It Requires Long-Term Thinking. Following through is about delayed gratification and long-term consistency, which can be at odds with our increasingly short-term, dopamine-driven digital culture.
- Societal Preference for Ideals Over Execution. Modern societies often celebrate ideals, dreams, and declarations more than the quiet labor of execution. We admire visionaries and disruptors, but the people who sustain systems, maintain commitments, and build long-term trust are less visible. This creates a cultural bias toward starting rather than finishing, and toward talking rather than doing.
- The Erosion of Communal Accountability. In traditional societies, follow-through was often enforced by tight-knit communities where reputation and trust were paramount. In more individualistic or digital societies, the social cost of not following through is lower. Promises can be made and broken with fewer consequences. This shift affects everything from political promises to personal relationships.
- The Role of Technology and Attention. In a society driven by instant gratification, short attention spans, and constant novelty, following through becomes harder. Philosophers critique the “achievement society,” where individuals are overwhelmed by self-imposed demands and lose the capacity for sustained focus.”
Hey, thanks AI! I’m so glad you’ve been paying attention.
How about you?
Do you have any thoughts about why the topic of following through doesn’t get the attention it deserves? Do you have any ideas about what it would take to convince more people to take the topic more seriously? If so, please, please, please let me know.