(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

When you progress, things change. When you maintain, things stay the same. Pretty obvious, huh? The point of this distinction is to know what you want to have happen, then make sure your actions are in line with your desires.

Example — you want to decrease your weight and you know certain diet and exercise actions that will accomplish your goals. That’s different from wanting to maintain your weight and doing the diet and exercise actions that will accomplish that.

Don’t confuse the progress actions with the maintenance actions. It’s easy to tell yourself that you are on a program to progress, but then do actions that will only maintain.

For instance, will working out 4 or 5 days per week cause you to progress toward the strength and shape you want? What happens if you only work out 2 or 3 times per week?

Will making 10 sales calls a day build your business? Don’t be surprised when your business stays static from only making one call a day.

It’s easy to set goals and to determine the actions that will help you progress toward those goals. What’s tougher is to consistently perform those actions and not slough off to a maintenance level.

 

Copyright 2002 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.