Are You A Finisher?

I never used to finish what I started.

Check this out.

When I was younger, my Dad always told me that I, “Never followed through.”

I didn’t like to hear that, but he was right.

Generally, when things got hard, I had a tendency to give up. Especially in Junior High and High School.

“All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one… characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers.”

— Henry David Thoreau

But Work Was Different

When I started working-at the age of 15, my follow-through got a little better. (I was hired to wash dishes at a Chinese restaurant.)

After a couple of years washing dishes, I had an opportunity to move into the front of the house; the dining room.

I become very comfortable there. It was a fast-paced environment, and the busier it was, the more I made in tips. (I was a busboy.) And my follow-through became a lot better. And I finished what I started at work.

As the years progressed, I worked my way up to waiter, assistant manager, and general manager at various restaurants.

The topping on the cake was when I landed a position as Maitre’D in a Las Vegas showroom. Good stuff. It was a great job.

Except I had a tacky red tux that I had to wear every night.

A Pattern

I was starting to detect a pattern.

When I was going after something I wanted, like a better job, I was able to up my game. I was able to follow-through with whatever responsibility I had. I finished what I started.

But, when I wasn’t very enthusiastic about something, my follow-through was horrid. I never finished.

That’s because I just didn’t care.

I’m A Finisher Now

At this point in my life, if I don’t finish something, I feel guilty.

Heck, I started and finished writing a 262 page business book. That was a big accomplishment for a guy like me. A guy, who, at one time, had lousy follow up. A guy who never finished what he started.

I’m not perfect, though. I do have a few unfinished projects laying around.

And, I’m okay with that, because I’m okay with myself.

What about you? Are you a finisher?

Is your follow-through superb?

Or, does it need some improvement?

Is there something you need to finish?

And are you subscribed to my free VIP Franchise Newsletter?