Winners don’t quit! And quitters don’t win!
Sometimes, people have ideas of what to do, but the problem is how to start. Some persons start a project, only to quit halfway because they did not take time to plan and estimate how much resources is needed to complete the project whether financially, mentally or otherwise. Before you embark on any project – such as exercising or dieting to lose weight, getting a college degree, a building project, business venture etc. – let it be something you are passionate about and would do anything to be committed to, to connect with the end vision and achieve results. Starting a project is the easiest for a lot of people, than continuing and finishing, particularly if there are no external penalties. For instance, for somebody that wants to lose weight, it requires time, commitment and personal effort through dieting and/or exercise. However, it is so easy for this individual to quit if he/she thinks that there is no penalty for not continuing with the weight loss program.
Finishing is hard for a lot of people. To complete a project successfully, it requires proper planning, passion, self-discipline, perseverance, diligence and success consciousness. Most people are excellent starters but poor finishers. Let’s not always be in a hurry to start only to quit halfway! In the words of Mary Kay, “A strong beginning is a good thing when coupled with a strong finishing.”
Recently, I was invited to address some college freshers on the need to start, continue and finish. It’s so easy to finish when you can identify with the end result and the benefits of getting a college degree. What matters is not just to graduate, but graduating with good grades, for that’s when you can say ‘I finished strong.’ Below are some of the points I shared with the freshmen:
- The real joy in life is not in arriving, but starting and continuing the journey with enthusiasm until you get to the final destination.
- Start with Christ, continue and finish with Christ.
- Redeem the time. If the duration of your course is 3 years, make sure you graduate within the time space of 3 years.
- As you move from first year to higher levels, it may get tough, but be patient and persevere until you achieve your purpose. If you are tempted to quit, ask yourself this question ‘how did the snail manage to get to Noah’s Ark?’ it was through perseverance.
- Associate with friends that will spur you on to greatness and not distract you from your studies. Make friends with your fellow students that you can benefit from intellectually and morally.
- You must be diligent. Create time to read what you have been taught and work hard to achieve good grades. Reading time cannot be substituted with frivolities.
- Be confident and carry yourself with dignity. You are a student and not a servant.
- Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
- Believe in yourself, and don’t compromise your faith or standards.
- Lastly, everything begins with a decision. Decide today that you will start well, continue and finish strong. Don’t ever think of quitting.
Lesson: it’s a good thing to start, better to continue, but the best thing in life is to finish strong. Never quit!
