… not just a starter.

How many books have you started reading, or

projects you have started implementing?

How many of those have you finished?

Often we start things and don’t finish them.

We excitedly start reading a book or a project and then mid-way or even before mid-way, we get distracted, lose focus, get bored and don’t finish.

Granted not all books deserve to be finished, but I’m sure those that you liked deserved to be finished.

We are always encouraged to start things.

When we interview people, we always look for those who start, those who take initiative.

We write books about The StartUp Revolution encouraging those who want to start, to start.

We write blogs about StartUp Tips.

We have quotes gallore about starting:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao-Tzu 

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. – Arthur Ashe 

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

The idea of getting something started is important. It takes courage, effort, and energy to start.

But you know what might be more compelling?  Seeing a CV or profile that says “finisher.”

Most start, but few finish.

We start with excitement, then fatigue sets in, the halfway part drags on and on…

The temptation to stop grows.  Who would notice?  Who would care?  This is tough; who would blame you? And then you stop.

Starting is the first test; finishing is the second.

Scarcity is in the finishing.

You don’t typically hear people boasting about a marathon they started but didn’t finish.

At the end of the end of the day, you need to get across the finish line.

Using the metaphor of the Comrades Marathon at his inauguration in 1999, former President Thabo Mbeki said:

“Those who complete the course will do so only because they do not, as fatigue sets in, convince themselves that the road ahead is still too long, the inclines too steep, the loneliness impossible to bear and the prize itself of doubtful value.”

Sure it takes guts to start something.  My hat’s off to you.  But the real feat is finishing something.  Because sometimes it takes even more to keep going.

Close that deal [don’t just initiate talks]

Finish that book [before starting another one]

Close that relationship [before starting another one]

Finish that report [before starting another projects]

Send that proposal [before working on another one]

Finish your food on your plate.

Finish your medication [don’t stop because you feel better]

“There are better starters than me, but I’m a strong finisher.” – Usain Bolt

Be a finisher, the world has enough starters.