There are many words I dislike, such as “hopefully,” “maybe,” “will,” “don’t know,” and the like.
I find them very weak, non-authoritative, and offer no certainty; but I don’t hate them, just dislike them.
But there’s one word I really hate: “ALMOST”:
Almost achieved the target, but the result was… no.
Almost won, but the result was… lost.
Almost got it right, but the result was… wrong.
Almost succeeded, but the result was… failed.
Almost made a profit, but the result was… loss.
I find the word “ALMOST” very annoying and detrimental; and unfortunately, many people are complacent and feel they have done their best when they “ALMOST” win; and even worse, many people agree and appreciate the actions of people who “ALMOST” win, even if they lose!?
In my opinion, what’s there to be proud of if, for example, during a sprint race, your opponent reaches the finish line 2 seconds faster? Your opponent wins, and you lose, right?
Don’t say, “ALMOST. IF I’D BEEN 3 SECONDS FASTER, I WOULD HAVE WINNED.”
That’s pointless, because you can’t turn back time or change history.
What’s done is done.
To ensure we never use the word “ALMOST,” thorough preparation, commitment, and a serious effort are required to ACHIEVE ABOVE 100% OF THE TARGET. This ensures that, even if deviations occur, we can still achieve 100% of the target.
100% is the minimum target that must be achieved.
Even if achieved, it can’t be considered great, because it’s just 100%.
Only if we achieve above 100% can we be considered great and can we be proud.
You might say Johanes Lim is a bit crazy, or obsessive, or greedy, and thus doesn’t appreciate the effort involved in achieving “ALMOST 100%.”
I don’t know.
But I think that’s normal, just as we can’t say, “I have $1 million in savings if I only have $999,000, right?”
Secondly, it’s a fact that many people have achieved more than 100% in their efforts to achieve their goals. So why allow yourself to feel satisfied with 99%?
According to my analysis, it is likely due to the nature of my business which applies Meritocracy Management and refers to ONLY RESULT MATTERS, so even though I have been able to increase the sales of the Client company from USD 100 to USD 199, it is “ALMOST DOUBLE” but “NOT YET DOUBLE”, so I am still considered a failure and do not get any payment.
(This banner is for reference only so that you understand the relevance of what I am saying, and not for self-promotion.)
So, isn’t it humane if Johanes Lim hates the word “ALMOST?!”
Johanes Lim, PhD, CPC, CHt (林泰義)
Financial Doctor and Turnaround Specialist for Family Businesses and The BOD Forum Across ASEAN
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