Having attended a dozen events as a guest speaker or professional delegate since 2017 started, I've noticed something that kind of bugs me: many people do not take action for what they want and do not follow up appropriately.
I am reminded of this quote, which I first saw at 14 years of age, on a poster in my high school hallway: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take in life - and this is an idea I have tried to remember and live by ever since then.
Why this is important
Perhaps the reason I want to bring attention to this is because I think about how much opportunity I would've missed in my life without it. Simply choosing to be a person who consistently takes action for what they want and following up on commitments, I have gained so much in my personal growth and professional development.
A few examples:
- Received a business card? I hand-write a note, send an email, or make a call.
- Expressed an interest in something, but the person is busy this week? Touch base next week.
- Someone added me on Facebook? I send a personal note to say thank you and hello.
- Committed something would be done by a certain date? Get it done, and if not, provide advance notice of why not and include an updated timeline.
Off the top of my head, I can recall how this habit has helped me to connect with professionals and business owners who said no when I first reached out (i.e. not now), to land a dozen positions and projects I wasn't originally considered for, to receive feedback and advice that expedited my learning, and so so much more!
It's also important to note that my attempts have not always been ideal. I've procrastinated at times, and I most definitely have screwed up royally along the way... but I always tried my darned hardest because I was not going to miss my chance to learn new things and connect with incredible people.
How to apply this in your life
This is written stream of consciousness so this is all off the top of my head, but here are some of the common tips for taking action and following up:
- Follow up all business cards (or interviews, or meetings...) you receive within 24 hours. For exceptions, 48 hours or as discussed.
- The first follow up can be as simple as saying hi and providing your contact info. Also really good idea to include context of how you met so it can jog the other party's memory.
- Additional follow up can include content that is valuable to the other party.
- Bonus: hand-written notes dropped off at somebody's office usually make a great impression.
- Be clear about your purpose.
- Are you following up to ask for something? For a professional meeting? To catch up? To say hello/thank you?
- If I don't understand what you're trying to say, I can't do anything to help you.
- Be concise in your communications.
- If you write me a novel, I'm going to either reply to tell you the email is too long (best case) or ignore your email.
- Make it personal to the other party.
- If it's obvious or feels like your note is sent out as a wide net being cast, it makes it much easier to ignore.
- If you're asking for something, be clear about why you need/want it and why I should consider helping you.
- Make it dead simple for the other person. Practical examples:
- When you ask for a written intro to someone, include an email that the introducer could use as a copy/paste email if they wanted.
- When asking to meet with someone, suggest three different times and offer to work around their schedule if your proposed times are not available. Send the meeting invite.
- Don't take it personally.
- If somebody says no*, respect their decision and reflect on the situation.
- *Sometimes "no" means "not now" - it's important to learn the difference
This is so simple! May not be easy at first, but practice makes perfect :)
--> Did I forget something? Please let me know!
One more thing...
One parting piece of advice, which I myself received the other day:
The outcome of a situation is not within your control, but you can control all of the choices you make with regards to and from within a situation.