The Follow‑Through formula (simple, actionable)

Your Follow‑Through Score is a weighted estimate of how reliably you move from intention to completion. Each slider is rated from 1 to 10. Higher values generally improve follow‑through. One slider — Distractions — is inverted because more distractions usually reduce completion. The calculator turns those ratings into a single 0–100 score.

• Goal clarity (22%): You can’t finish what you can’t define. Clear “done” reduces decision fatigue.
• Plan quality (18%): A basic plan converts motivation into steps. No plan = more stalls.
• Distraction control (18%): We invert your “distractions” rating to estimate focus protection.
• Energy & stamina (16%): Follow‑through is physical. Low energy makes small tasks feel huge.
• Accountability (14%): Social or structural commitments increase completion odds.
• Consistency (12%): Showing up repeatedly beats occasional heroic effort.

Step 1: Convert each 1–10 slider to a “helpfulness score.” For distractions, we convert it into Focus protection = 11 − distractions (so 10 distractions becomes 1 protection, and 1 distraction becomes 10 protection). Step 2: Multiply each lever by its weight and add them up. This creates a weighted average between 1 and 10. Step 3: Convert that 1–10 weighted average into a 0–100 score using a simple linear scale:

Score (0–100) = ((WeightedAverage − 1) ÷ 9) × 100

• 80–100 — “Closer”: You reliably complete commitments. Guard your schedule and avoid over‑committing.
• 65–79 — “Steady”: You often finish, but some projects slip. One lever upgrade can unlock a lot.
• 45–64 — “Inconsistent”: You start strong but stall. You need clearer finish lines and fewer distraction triggers.
• 0–44 — “Stuck”: Follow‑through is currently hard. Shrink tasks, add support, and reduce load.

The weights are intentionally practical, not clinical. They reflect a simple observation: clarity and distraction protection tend to cascade into planning quality, consistency, and even energy management. If you want better follow‑through fast, improving the first lever (clarity) often makes the others easier. That said, if your energy is low, the “best plan” still won’t stick — which is why energy is heavily weighted too.

The most viral use of this calculator is the challenge: pick your lowest slider and raise it by one point for 7 days. Not five points. Not overnight. One point. This keeps you out of the all‑or‑nothing trap. Follow‑through isn’t a personality trait — it’s the result of repeatable micro‑systems.

Real‑world score walkthroughs

Example 1: “High motivation, low structure”

You feel excited about projects, but they pile up. Sliders: clarity 6, plan 4, distractions 7, energy 6, accountability 3, consistency 4. Distractions are high, so focus protection becomes 4. Your weighted average lands around the middle, producing a score in the 40s–50s. The fix isn’t “try harder.” The fix is to create a visible plan: write the next step and protect it with a 10‑minute daily block.

Example 2: “Great planner, low energy”

Sliders: clarity 8, plan 8, distractions 4, energy 3, accountability 6, consistency 6. Your plan is strong and distractions are manageable (focus protection 7), but energy is the bottleneck. The score often lands in the 60s. The best improvement lever is not more planning — it’s sleep and recovery, or shrinking sessions so your body can keep up.

Example 3: “Quiet consistency”

Sliders: clarity 7, plan 6, distractions 3, energy 7, accountability 5, consistency 8. Nothing is perfect, but the system is steady. This tends to produce a 70–85 score. If you want to push toward 90+, add one accountability structure (public deadline, buddy check‑in, or a commitment device).

• If your score is low: is it because you start too many things, or because one thing feels too big?
• If distractions are high: what’s the first trigger (phone, tabs, notifications, social, clutter)?
• If clarity is low: can you write one sentence that defines “done”?
• If consistency is low: can you commit to a daily 10‑minute starter block?

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this a clinical test for ADHD, depression, or executive function?

  No. This is a self‑reflection calculator, not a medical or psychological assessment. Many things can affect follow‑through (stress, sleep, workload, environment). Use the result as a starting point, not a label.

• Should I aim for 100?

  Not necessarily. A “perfect” score can sometimes mean you’re under‑committing or over‑controlling. A healthy goal is a reliable system: finish what matters, drop what doesn’t, and avoid burnout.

• Why invert distractions?

  Because distractions are a “drag” variable. Higher distractions reduce the likelihood you finish. Converting it to “focus protection” lets the formula treat all levers consistently (higher = better).

• What’s the fastest way to improve my score?

  Usually one of these: (1) define “done” in one sentence, (2) schedule a tiny daily starter block, (3) remove one distraction trigger, or (4) add accountability (tell a person + set a deadline). Pick the one that matches your lowest slider.

• How often should I use this?

  Weekly is ideal. Use “Last 7 days,” save the snapshot, and look for trends. Follow‑through improves when your trend moves up, even slowly.

• Can I use this for teams or projects?

  Yes — informally. Have each person score themselves, then compare which lever is lowest. Teams often struggle with clarity (unclear “done”), distractions (too many channels), or accountability (no ownership).

• What if my score is very low and I feel stuck?

  Go gentle. Reduce load, shrink tasks, and consider support. If you feel persistently overwhelmed or unsafe, contact a qualified professional or local services. You deserve help.