Grant Diggles

Who You Intend To Be Is Not Who You Are

// March 1st, 2010 // Insights, Personal Views

An excerpt from Grant’s upcoming book “What I’ve Learned About Real Business, Confessions Of An Entrepreneur.”

People of good intention are the most frustrating kind of people. I say this because they are the type of people who live a life full of intention, resulting in little action. Seemingly, the real concern is that regardless of the fact that these individuals don’t actually do anything about what they intend to do, they still give themselves credit for doing it. “I intended on taking out the garbage” or “I was planning on telling you I loved you” or “I really wanted to have that business report to you by Friday” are types of comments that individuals with good intentions commonly make. Of course when you approach them on these types of issues, they tend to stare at you in disbelief for your ungratefulness at their good intentions. They really wanted to but situations “out of their control” prevented it. The victim card then comes into play and you become the bad guy.

I included this chapter in my book because I used to be one of these people and I’ve known many others since.  Don’t force people to base their opinions of you primarily on your intentions because that’s all you’ve got. Become a person that is personally and professionally dependable.

Quick Tips

• Create accountability for yourself.
• If you fail to follow through, be quick to apologize, make it right, and follow through the next time.  Most people are willing to give second chances if it’s accompanied by humility.
• Know your limits! You can’t do everything so don’t try.  When your focus is quality and not quantity, opportunities you really want will become more available over time.