Following Directions

I'm not talking about following directions on a map (anyone remember what that is?), you know the scene where the man gets lost and refuses to ask for directions because the woman read the map wrong and gave him wrong directions! LOL Guess it's a good thing we all pretty much have GPS and navigation systems built into our vehicles now.

But, I'm not talking about those directions.

I'm also not talking about the directions on how to assemble anything or get the latest techie gadget to work. We all know nobody reads those directions

All our childhood we were taught in school to follow directions or there would be consequences...a slap on the knuckles with the ruler, sitting in the corner with a dunce hat on, getting a bad grade, getting detention, or the call to your parents.

So, why then as we get older do so many people have a hard time following simple directions?

Why do so many work at home people have a hard time following directions?

Why do many think it's ok to not follow directions and that their 'excuse' for it is justified?

How many remember the Dick & Jane books?

See Dick run. Run Dick Run.

See Jane run. Run Jane Run.

See Spot run. Run Spot Run.

They don't use those books in school any more, but perhaps they should. I'm not "that" old, but I do remember those books in kindergarten.

Wonder if that's how we need to start talking to people to get them to follow directions? Do we really need to talk to people as if they're 4 years old?

If you were applying for a job at a big corporation, odds are you'd go in dressed for success and carrying your resume or better yet, you would've emailed a Power Point presentation to the HR person at the company. You know you have to make a good impression and show you have experience, character, know how and the resources to accomplish whatever task is given you...that is, if you want the position.

If you applied for a job at your local retail store, you would go in and take a seat at the computer and fill out the computerized application. It'd consist of a slew of questions and if you answered correctly and finalized the application without incident then you'd be considered for the opening.

So, why then do work at home people (can't say work at home moms, or wahms, because I've dealt with a few men and work at home dad's in this area) and online business people, have such a problem with understanding that if they don't follow directions it still leaves an impression?

On an online network, the network owner clearly states no ads, no intro's, no forwards of any sort at the entry page of the network. You would think that people would get the idea that those things aren't permitted there. So, then why do they post those offending items? Because they didn't follow directions.

An online network has a weekly thread for ads... the rules are stated as "One ad per person, all ads must be in this thread only"

Yet, people still insist on starting their own thread with their ad in there and post multiple ads.

Do they not realize that leaves an impression? Do they not realize there are consequences to not following directions?

Don't they realize people will question their professionalism, their ability to provide a product or service in the manner it should be...since they obviously can't follow simple directions.

A site offers an option where you have to follow the difficult task of clicking a 'buy it now' button and filling out an online form that gets emailed to the owner. Yet, some still can't hit that "buy it now" button, even though it's stated in bold and highlighted in numerous places on that same page right where the form is.

Do they not realize that leaves an impression? Do they not realize there are consequences?

How then is a business owner to believe that this person can or will represent their company the way it should be represented professionally if the other can't follow simple directions?

First impressions...you only get one chance at a first impression.

If you want to make a good impression and have a chance at success, follow directions.

For that matter, if you want to get by in life make an effort to follow directions. There will be directions everywhere you go.

See that big red stop sign at the corner of the street? You need to STOP...that's following directions.

See that big flashing orange arrow sign in the road proceeded by bright orange traffic cones?

That would mean you need to move over into the other lane (this one people have such a hard time with as well as the ones who can't follow directions online or in business).

What would happen if you didn't follow directions and move over a lane?

There'd be consequences, you'd probably get hit head on by the other lane of traffic that they switched over. (Sadly, I saw this exact situation happen this week because people didn't follow directions and stay in the right lane in a construction zone. I mean they only had countless bright orange signs saying "stay in right lane", "oncoming traffic", "two way traffic", "stay in right lane", "do not pass", "one lane traffic". Lest we not forget that huge bright orange arrow sign flashing repeatedly...yet people didn't follow directions and all I could do is slow down and watch it all unfold as impatient people passed on the left of me straight into oncoming traffic. Fortunately nobody was critically injured but it all would've and should've been avoided, had the people followed directions.

You have directions everywhere you go in life, follow them. Make the right impression, be a success, be someone that people will admire, stay alive (pay attention to those bright orange signs!).

But seriously, if you don't follow directions...admit your error and say I'm sorry and then do it the right way. Don't make excuses, because there really aren't any. You simply didn't follow directions. For whatever reason you didn't... but don't make it worse with excuses. Be the grown adult you should be and be accountable.

Better yet, here's a thought: read what you're supposed to do, re-read it if necessary and follow the directions.

Life would be so much smoother if you did.