“Swish…Nothing but Net”

I am reminded of the “follow through” while watching the NBA Finals. The very best team scorers have the amazing ability to have deliberate, focused basketball shooting technique.

I remember being taught this technique when playing High School basketball. When you attempt a jump shot, you keep your hands angled and your eyes on the basket until it goes through the net.

Most athletes do this. It is evident in golf, baseball, football, as well as other sports.

How often do we “follow through” in our daily lives? How often do we “do what we said we will do?”  We often say things like:

• I will come by to see you.
• We’ll have to do lunch.
• I’ll clean the garage.
• I need to check on her.
• I need to continue that exercise program – that diet.
• I need to read to my kids every day.
• I will check on you in the hospital.

However, very few see it to completion. We fall guilty to committing to things that we rarely see through to completion.

In the article “5 Steps to Follow-Through on Everything,” the author Gwen Moran shares tips from Motivation expert Steve Levinson, author of Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing Whatever You Start that can help you with your follow-through:

1. BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT.

Successful follow-through requires some up-front prep, including understanding what the true goal is. Get to the heart of what it is you really want and embrace it.

2. UNDERSTAND THE SACRIFICE.

Every act takes away time or effort that could be committed to something else, Levinson says. Are you ready to make the trade-off?

3. PREPARE FOR SUCCESS.

"Just do it" doesn’t cut it, Levinson says. Invest a little time and maybe some money into your future success.

4. GIVE YOURSELF DEADLINES.

Break down the steps and assign a deadline to each. It’s the quickest way to tell at a glance if you’re on track with your follow-through or not.

5. INCENTIVIZE YOURSELF.

As you’re in the process of following through, use incentives and motivators to give you the kind of motivation you need when you need it.

"The problem with follow through originates from the fact that the promises we make are not serious in the first place," he says. http://www.fastcompany.com/3025075/work-smart/5-steps-to-help-you-follow-through-on-everything?partner=rss&utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed:+fastcompany/headlines+(Fast+Company)

Thank Goodness God “follows through“ with us.

The Bible says:

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV):  8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV):  9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Powerful Quotes

“If you say you will, be sure you do.”

“We’ve got to follow through on our ideals or we betray something at the heart of who we are.” — Bono

“Words are meaningless without intent and follow through.”

“In golf as in life it is the follow through that makes the difference.”  - Dr. Seuss

“Finish what you started.”

“People with good intentions make promises, but people with good character keep them.”

“You have to have confidence in your ability and then be tough enough to follow through.” - Rosalyn Carter

We should focus on our “follow through” with God because He WILL follow through on His promises to us.