Why Intentions Produce Zero Results

I think it's safe to say that most of us have really good intentions, things that we've been thinking about and wanting to do that will help improve our business and our life. So what's the deal with good intentions? Well, I think good intentions are absolutely worthless, and I'll explain why in today's biz graph. Hi there. This is Brent Kelly of Bizgris with another daily biz growl. Leo Bascaglia said this. He said, life lived for tomorrow will always be a day away from being realized. This past summer, I was talking to a good friend of mine at our kids swim meet. Now, this was in late June, and he was telling me about the new diet and exercise program that he was going to start. And he said, hey, I need to get more serious about dropping some weight so I can feel better and have more energy. And I congratulated him. I said, great, good for you. And I said, when are you getting started? And his answer took me a bit off guard because he replied, labor Day. Now, if you understand the calendar, Labor Day was over two months away, right? This was late June. And not surprisingly, when I saw him again in the fall, nothing had changed. In fact, the only thing he told me was that he was ready to start his diet and exercise program after the holidays again, another couple months away. Well, now, as I'm recording this, it's after the holidays. And although I hope, I really do, I hope that he does stick with his word from the fall and begin his exercise and exercise program. I can almost guarantee you that nothing will change. So you may be thinking, that's a great story, Brent. What does this have to do with me and my growth and development of being an insurance professional? Actually, quite a bit. See, it's really easy to make a commitment with our intentions, especially when the commitment is any day. But today, the story I just shared and the story I hear from insurance leaders and producers almost every day is the law of diminishing intent. The law of diminishing intent says this. The longer that you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds you will never actually do it. And the important thing, I think a lot of important words there, but the things that you should do now, you don't need to do everything now. But we all know there's certain things that we've been thinking about that we know would be important to our life that we wait. My good friend, I asked him, well, why do you want to diet and exercise? He wanted to feel better and have more energy. So why would you Wait. Now, think about your own experiences for a moment. How many times have you said you wanted or needed to do something to improve your life and or your business, but you never took action? I have no doubt that you have many good intentions for growing your business and making positive changes. I'm sure you've heard the famous proverb, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Now while that may seem drastic, I believe it's accurate. If you don't believe me, I challenge you to try this today. Go to Google and search the top regrets of those who are dying and you will quickly discover that the most common regrets are not those regrets of mistakes made earlier in their life. The regrets are good intentions that were never fulfilled. Things they wish they would have done and waited and never did it. So don't allow the words should have and could have and would've dominate your life. If there's something you need to improve in your business, in your life, go do it. The longer you wait, as the law of diminishing intent states, the less likely you'll ever take action. Now let me warn you, there's going to be some actions that you need to take that are going to scare you or cause you to feel unprepared. As my mentor says, the reality is that you will never get much done unless you go ahead and do it before you're ready. You will never be fully ready to do anything. So take a leap of faith in yourself and and the outcome you desire. Take action today. So let me leave you with this. What action will you take today that you've been thinking about? Taking the first step is always the most difficult, but unless you take it, you will never arrive at the destination that you desire. Thanks again for listening. This is Brent Kelly of Biz Grids with another daily biz growl. Don't forget to check out my website@brentmkelly.com to see all the programs and services I have to help insurance agents and professionals grow their book of business by growing themselves. And as always, don't forget to go face your grizzly.