Curious about Foundation: The Necessity for and the Importance of – No Matter What the Endeavor

Definition of Foundation : The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect. That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis.

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” - David Brinkley, American journalist

“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.” - Zig Ziglar, American author

One of the most valuable tools I have learned over the years is the creation of a foundation for every project. If I am working on a business or marketing strategy, I must stop and ask myself what I need for a strong foundation. What are the basics that will build the foundation? The different parts and details must all fit together for a strong whole.

During this exciting global time, there is so much happening daily and so much to learn that we can easily be swept into overwhelm. My advice to you is to take your time, step back a bit and determine what are the foundational basics, because once they are established and are a solid part of your arsenal, the rest will flow smoothly.

We are so often in a rush to learn and try the new programs and subjects, we skip the beginning steps. Unfortunately, we are setting ourselves up for failure and frustration. I even find this with my fitness participants. Rather than starting at their own pace, they want to jump right in with both feet (forgive the pun) and end up with an injury and/or debilitating pain. Those who start slowly, building that foundation progress with speed and success.

Let’s find out how our experts feel about foundations:

• “The health of the people is really the foundation upon which all their happiness and all their powers as a state depend.” - Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman
• “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.” - Lee Iacocca, American businessman
• “To succeed, you will soon learn, as I did, the importance of a solid foundation in the basics of education - literacy, both verbal and numerical, and communication skills.” Alan Greenspan, American economist
• “If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.” - Charlotte Bronte, British novelist
• “If you build that foundation, both the moral and the ethical foundation, as well as the business foundation, and the experience foundation, then the building won't crumble.” - Henry Kravis, American businessman
• “Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” - Nicholas M. Butler, American philosopher

And a few more:

• “I've come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy.” - Tony Robbins, American author
• “Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” - Saint Augustine, Roman Saint
• “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” - Christine Gregoire, American politician
• “Good order is the foundation of all things.” - Edmund Burke, Irish statesman
• “I think it will be found that experience, the true source and foundation of all knowledge, invariably confirms its truth.” - Thomas Malthus, English economist
• “Idealism is like a castle in the air if it is not based on a solid foundation of social and political realism.” - Claude McKay, Jamaican writer

So, I urge you to get into the habit of foundational planning. Once you have a strong foundation in place, you will be amazed how the rest takes shape. Let me know how this works for you.