Last time we talked about the foundational success principle of Starting. We can’t succeed at something that we don’t begin taking action on.
Just as important as starting is Finishing. We also can’t succeed at something if we don’t see it through to the end.
Back to our race metaphor from last time. We’re ready for the race—we’ve trained hard, feel strong, and have an optimistic attitude. We’ve put on our gear, laced up our shoes, and are standing at the starting line.
What’s different this time, though, is that when the starting gun fires, we do take off. We move on down the road. We have our eyes on the prize. We keep moving, even when we’re tired. We find a path around, under, over, or through our barriers.
It’s obvious that this is the only way to break the tape at the finish line.
Again, as with our last article, not exactly rocket science. Yet, it’s amazing how many don’t finish what they start!
I’m guessing none of us can sit in judgment on anyone else in this area, as we’ve probably all bailed on some project, endeavor, or journey at some point in our lives.
Why do we do this?
To be clear, I’m not talking about those wise decisions we’ve made to cut our losses and end something that isn’t working, or is harmful in some way. That’s just smart decision making.
What I am talking about are those times when we quit too soon! We stop running. We step off the track and disqualify ourselves when we actually could have finished.
Why do we stop pursuing the prize in those situations when it’s in our best interest to finish the race, and when we actually have the ability to finish?
If you’ve read my Special Report “7 Killer Mistakes”, you’ll see 7 possible reasons that people don’t finish what they start.
I’m sure you have your own theories about why people don’t finish what they start.
Whatever the reasons, here’s the bottom line: keep running until you break the tape at the finish line!
Application:
1) identify some goal or pursuit where you are tempted to stop, or are already in the process of stopping.
2) is this a goal that’s truly important to you, or not so much?
3) What’s your biggest cost of not finishing the race? What’s your biggest gain if you do finish?
4) what’s your biggest barrier to staying in the race and seeing this project through to the end?