Train your Brain to Finish What You Start – Make This Your Best Year – Part 2

The habit of finishing what you start is priceless. When you have a reputation for getting things done people trust you. They want to be a part of what you’re doing. They want you in their circles – at the party and in the room. Favor and opportunity follow people who others trust to finish strong. That’s why it’s so important to train your brain to finish what you start. Procrastination is not an option.

Training your brain to finish what you start begins with a keen sense of awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. For this to work, you must be honest with yourself. When you know your abilities and limitations, your goals are not just dreams that you hope to happen. They are plans that lead to actions directed toward goal completion.

Many people who declare their plans for success lack the skills and commitment to complete the task. They want it, but they won’t pay the price, engage the strategies or sacrifice enough to get it done. The moment they tell you what they are going to do, you know it is highly improbable. So, before you train your brain to finish what you start, consider the cost.

What sacrifices do you need to make?

What are you willing to give up?

Success has a price. The benefits are significant, but the work is hard. So, don’t just declare that you want it. Tell yourself that you will do what it takes to get it.

Have I described you and how you feel? If so, keep reading. Let’s train your brain to finish what you start.

First, think about what you want to accomplish. Then, break it down into small steps – actions you can control. Achieving goals requires knowledge, skills and habits that take time to develop. Allow the anticipation of a new life to inspire you. In time, and with God’s help, change is possible. Make your plans and set your goals. If you’re not perfect, make some adjustments, plan again and continue with your pursuit.

Next, think and pray carefully about your decisions. The difficulty is not just the decision, it’s the high level of change expected in a short amount of time. The secret to finishing what you start lies in your confidence that you already have what you need to finish. That doesn’t mean you have all of the answers. It means you will fight, learn, press and adjust. So, whatever comes your way, it won’t stop you because you are a finisher!

Training your brain to finish what you start is all about agreement. Look at your outcomes honestly and ask yourself, “What do I really believe?” If you accept not finishing or procrastination, it means you never took your goal seriously. Instead,

You agree with not finishing!

You agree with your state of being without the goal completed!

You agree with sitting on the couch, giving your time to TV or people and activities that won’t move you forward.

In other words, you don’t want it bad enough. You like the idea of the goal, but not the responsibility of the goal. Without embracing the responsibility, the goal is just an empty dream.

With that sobering truth in mind, go back to your goals. If you don’t want to pay the price, remove it from your plan and revisit it at a later time. If you are ready to pay the price, don’t allow any excuses. Instead, take these important steps:

1. Think about what you really want, when you want it and what it takes to make it happen.
2. Set manageable steps to get it done.
3. Divide your goals into quarterly stages.
4. Journal your progress, thoughts and challenges. Use the journal to make adjustments and plan better strategies for success.
5. Share your success with others who encourage and motivate you.
6. Make adjustments when needed.
7. Don’t allow yourself to stop or make excuses.

When you don’t complete a task, get mad at yourself.

People love to tell me, “You’re too hard on yourself.” That’s because I know the limits of my capacity. It may be too much for them, but it’s just right for me. That’s why I ignore comments that invite me to make excuses for not finishing.

Don’t embrace the limits of others. Operate based on your own capacity and push it as far as you can!

The final crucial component is to measure every completed task so your brain records your success. The goal is to create a mental environment that is not comfortable with incomplete tasks – a mindset that expects to finish! Move it, change it or get rid of it. But refuse to leave it incomplete.

An incomplete task that is not dealt with means you agree with your current state – without finishing the job. Instead, don’t give up! Go back to your journal, calendar or goals. Place every goal in a category – either back on your calendar for completion or in your trash saying, “I’m not really going to do that.”

Updates and changes are normal as you discover what it really takes to finish what you start. The more you practice finishing, the more you complete your tasks. That’s when you see the real results.

That favor and respect that we all appreciate, it’s coming, my friend! Get ready to feel the exhilaration of a job well-done.

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