The Perils of Postulating, or Why Some Things are Never Completed
Author: Sid Smith

Having an idea is a good thing. Unless, that is, the idea never leaves the safe confines of your neural pathways. Most of us are truly visionaries. We’re dreaming, fantasizing, stepping out of the shower with a monumental idea that will resolve every problem that’s ever existed. Then what? The hard reality of working out the details, then following through with those details sets in. Such a bummer, because they really are very good ideas.

Here are five reasons our best ideas are never completed, and action steps for each.

Hitting the home run

I read a quote recently that suggested one of the reasons we don’t finish what we start is trying to hit the home run without first getting on base. For example, I’ll get an idea for a brilliant presentation and present the idea to one or two people. If their reaction isn’t “home run” quality, the idea gets dropped like a splintered bat. The solution is simple: broaden my horizon, taking the risk that I might strike out a few times in the process. Sometimes I’ll get a hit, and maybe – once every 50 at bats, I’ll hit a home run. Even the best major league baseball players get a hit less than 1/3 of their times at bat; and the rest average only 25%. Keep thinking big, but allow for the value of the incremental hits.

Action step: Pick one great idea you’ve had recently. Then, write 10 very simple steps you can take toward the implementation of that idea. Take those steps, one at a time. Is it still what you want? Are you willing to go to bat several hundred times before you get a hit? If not, then the idea may not be as important as you originally considered.

The Universe will provide

I’ve read my share of books on manifestation and visualization. In each is the premise that once my intention becomes clear, the universe will provide everything I need. Unfortunately, that help isn’t necessarily in the precise form I ordered. Say I want an income of ,000 per month. I set the clear intention, then sit back and wait for the money to roll in. The universe doesn’t usually work that way. What the universe may provide is the simple seed of an idea, from which a lot of hard work may be required. You might indeed work hard; but are you working hard just to work hard, or are you working hard in alignment with the universe? What we want often remains in our heads – we postulate them, try to imagine them into existence, hoping beyond hope that the universe will finally provide that one big break. Maybe that one big break was really a tiny pebble that had to be removed before the damn could be opened.

Action step: Speak or write one intention or goal for which you’d like a favorable completion. Specify five ways you can see it happening. Choose one that, for whatever reason, appears the most likely scenario. Then, select one small action you can take toward that goal or intention every day for the next week. Repeat this cycle until complete, making a note of how the universe really did provide.

The “if only” dream

The “if only” dream has always been one of my favorites. I’d spend a great deal of time and energy imagining what my life, my work, my partnership, and my friendships would be if only something were different. Building on an idea from a pool of “if only’s” is as effective as swimming the English Channel towing an ocean liner. Saying ‘if only” is a postulation – a wish, dream, an assumption or something we take for granted that simply isn’t true. The close cousin of an “if only”, the “when I”, can also stop a great idea before it ever sets root. “When I” have learned enough, smiled enough, told the right joke, took the right class, then (maybe) I’ll be able to move forward on the idea. “When I complete the graduate program, and if only I had the financial reserves to make it happen.” It rarely does. Really successful people risk of moving forward now, if even in small steps. They don’t wait for the right moment, or for all the planets to be in alignment.

Action step: What’s an idea for which you’d like a positive completion? Write all your current “if only’s” and “when I’s” in one column. In a second column, write what’s true now for every statement in the first column. Do a reality check: is it absolutely true that you can’t proceed without the “if only” or “when I”? Eliminate as many of the “if only’s” and “when I’s” as possible, getting down to the essential elements.

I want to believe

I want to believe I can generate all the business I need without networking. I want to believe I can have a healthy relationship without taking time to get to know the other person. I want to believe… How many great ideas go down the tubes because what you really believe is different from what you want to believe? Disillusionment is said to be a major reason for the failure of business or personal relationships. We set our expectations high, then become disillusioned when those expectations aren’t met. We want to believe in the fantasy without ever taking time to evaluate the reality. Disillusionment is a direct result of self-deception – us deceiving ourselves. When I ask a client “what do you believe”, their response is very often what they want to believe, not what they really believe. I know that a key reason for the failure of a plan is the discrepancy between what I believe (about myself, the situation, others involved) and what I want to believe. Conversely, when those beliefs are in alignment, success is considerably more likely.

Action step: Think of an idea that didn’t go anywhere. What were your beliefs about you (your capability, experience, etc.), the situation, and others involved? How do those beliefs differ from what you think you should believe for the idea to be successful? Write 5-10 actions you would have done differently based on what you actually believe, not what you wanted to believe.

The Skeptics Corner

And here, in the skeptic’s corner, we have doubt, perfectionism, and fear. They have for your reading pleasure a rather large pile of excuses, all very valid. Pick an excuse, any excuse. “I’m embarrassed to hand this over because I know I can do so much better”. “I’m afraid people will realize I’m new at this.” “I doubt that she’ll show any interest in my proposal”. You probably can do better; people might realize you’re new; and, she might not show any interest. So what? There are better writers, performers, accountants, and managers who know more than you or I. Any comparison against them leads us directly the skeptic’s corner. Whenever I compare myself to another, I’m likely to feel either superior or inadequate, and neither is helpful. The same goes for self-comparison, such as “I can do better”, or “I’m clearly not working up to my potential”. While both statements may be true, using them as an excuse to drop an idea is ridiculous.

Action step: Pick three people with whom you compare yourself. Write every way in which you feel inferior or inadequate around them. Feel awful? Of course! Now, make a list of 10 things (small, big) you’ve accomplished in your life, starting with learning to walk. Feel better? Your success is dependent on your belief in yourself, and has nothing to do with any other person, alive or dead.

Conclusion

The pitfalls of postulating lie in our inability to get out of our heads and into action. Ideas are wonderful, but where would we be if people weren’t willing to risk failure, embarrassment, ridicule, even death to nurture an idea to fruition? Whatever grand ideas you’ve got floating around in your head, give them a decent chance of survival by letting go of ruminations about what might be, or when, or the inevitable fear and frustration of failure. How many ideas does it take to screw in a light bulb? None. Simply twist and go.








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(c) Sid Smith, 2001-2002. Do you know how to increase the flow of success into your life or business? Sid Smith, author of “Get Our of Your Way! Removing the Obstacles to Your Success” can help you clarify and fulfill your personal and business goals. Visit http://www.sidsmith.com where you’ll find a free monthly and weekly Ezine, classes, and articles.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a Certified Professional Coach, a Masters in Counseling and over 20 years as a business consultant, Sid Smith works with hundreds of people internationally to help them clarify and fulfill their personal and business goals. Coach, Teacher, and writer, he works with individuals to inspire their innate potential, and encourage ease and joy in living.

Sid Smith
http://www.sidsmith.com
mailto:sid@sidsmith.com
503-287-0246

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