Why the picture of Michelangelo's David? Michelangelo was a finisher. David didn't happen overnight. Willpower, perseverance.
It is October 1st. For those of you in business, this marks the beginning of the final quarter of the year. The time when the gas pedal might need an extra tap and there are mounting priorities…both in and outside of work, that just, aren’t, getting done. Period.
So here’s the question…are you a starter or are you a finisher? Or…do you repeatedly start the same thing again and again and again…and never seem to get it done?
I’m guessing that the answer might be “it depends”. Right? I get it. Take a couple of seconds right now to quickly think about a response to the following prompts below, in your head, trusting your first response or memory that comes up.
Think of something you want to start but just haven’t quite gotten around to it.
Now think of something you have started, maybe more than one time, but just can’t seem to see it through.
Now think of something you did finish.
Notice what comes up for you as you think about each of the scenarios above. Maybe the different feelings or thoughts that each gives you.
We are all creatures of habit and that can be a good thing and a bad thing. Good when we are getting what we want and not so good when we aren’t. This is human.
Now imagine how would it feel to be able to set and achieve a “mini” goal before 2018 is done? To actually start and complete something. Doesn’t matter if it is personal or business (because that’s personal too…). Just think of the “boost” you will get when you are able to achieve something before, the end of the year comes! You can end 2018 primed for success.
So often we think that we need a huge win in order to get our juices flowing again and really, that isn’t necessarily true. Often times, it is the little wins that provide us with the willpower to go after the big wins.
I recently gave a talk on willpower and the take home message was that having “mini-goals” was key to achieving bigger goals down the road. Small “wins” add up and help build the willpower necessary to persevere when things go sideways. Notice that I said “when” and not “if”? It is kind of a given that when we are working on something meaningful, we will hit a few roadblocks. How are you going to keep going when this happens? Willpower is part of that and so is having a plan.
Ask yourself the following questions;
Are you clear on what you want? In this case, something small.
What is the roadblock to getting what you want?
What plan do you have in place to manage the roadblock?
I’m guessing that if you had this all figured out, you would already be doing it and you would be a “finisher” all the time! If this isn’t you then you are in luck! I will be running a series of workshops in November focused on getting you clear on what you want; identifying at least one roadblock and then doing some work to manage the roadblocks. Three evenings. 90 minutes each. Interested? Message me. Go to my website. Call.
Let me help you finish the year off with a bang!
