By Tom Wilbur
J.R.R. Tolkien once was quoted as saying, “It is the job that is never started that takes longest to finish.”
St. Francis of Assisi while working in his garden, was asked, “What would you do if you suddenly learned that your life would end at sunset today?” and he replied, “I would finish hoeing my garden.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.”
There are a million of books waiting to be read on becoming a success, and I’ve certainly read my share. There are so many great ideas and opportunities to continuously learn, and grow—afforded us by some of the greatest minds ever—in the written word. In “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” the late Stephen Covey shares his ideas on certain habits and activities that can lead to a better life. In “The Road Less Traveled”, by M. Scott Peck, we learn about experiencing life to its fullest, and being willing to take the path others choose not to travel. And John Wooden developed a “Pyramid of Success” which included his tenets and directives structured as building blocks each of us should embrace to be successful.
Most people wish to be viewed as “successful”in whatever venture they choose to undertake. And success is an individual attribute, as your definition and my definition for success may be completely different, but that’s ok. However, regardless of your walk, and within the wheelhouse of those things most important to achieving any level of success, I doubt there’s any character trait more important than discipline.
Discipline is defined as ‘conscious control over a lifestyle— mental self-control used in directing or changing behavior, learning something, or training for something’. And ‘making oneself act or work in a controlled or systematic way.’
Successful people finish more of what they start. People are rarely judged on the number of attempts— typically only by the goals and objectives they reach. And the key component of finishing any attempt is having the discipline to see it through to its conclusion. Along the way a series of activities that resulted in failure, may ultimately lead to success— but perseverance and discipline generally pave the way.
During sports events, like the Olympics, we see athletes perform at what appear to be magical levels with incredible persistence, courage and strength—often confronted with the odds stacked against them. The event might be a sprint that lasts for 10 seconds on a track, or 60 miles on a bike. We are essentially eavesdropping on the culmination of an ongoing series of preparatory activities sometimes engaged in for a lifetime, and appropriately finished, in reaching the event’s conclusion.
The first step to competing may have been the primary defining moment. It was the first day that athlete got out of bed, put two feet on the floor, and started training. Each training session had a start and a finish. More training sessions were added to build strength and endurance. Starts and finishes. And ultimately the race was run— and won or lost. But it was finished. Successfully? Potentially, if one gave it their best.
Interestingly enough, some of the most successful creative people I know are also among the most disciplined. They have that special something that bonds ambition, pizzazz, and talent, and the end result is WOW!
Tomorrow morning, you and I have the same options afforded us. Tomorrow is a new day. We can start something new, and leave the past in the dust. We can build upon the series of activities leading us towards a greater goal. We can expand upon our capabilities and thrive. Or we can simply lie in the bed we’ve made. We can dream of the possibilities all we want, but until we take committed action, nothing of significance will happen.
Getting up requires discipline. Starting a new adventure requires discipline. Staying on track requires discipline. Reaching our own personal goals and objectives requires discipline. And being honest about your progress requires the discipline to evaluate and gauge where you are in the journey, and where you’re going.
I meet with lots of people who dream up ideas, many who never start and most who never finish. I hear things like: I’d like to write a book someday. I’d love to change careers. I’m thinking of writing a song. I’m considering moving to a big city. I just might tell someone I love them today, for the very first time. I may become a marine biologist. Learning a second language would be nice. Someday I’m going to travel. I’m thinking of taking classes to improve my skills with computers. Wouldn’t it be fun to fly a hot air balloon someday? I should try out for a play. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
And blah. That’s generally about how far they get. Blah, blah. But the production of hot air doesn’t help you reach many goals, unless of course, you’ve got that balloon ready to go.
Author Dave Barry once remarked, “My therapist told me that the way to find true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake, and I feel better already.” An interesting idea, but I’m thinking if you’re ready to launch, you might take that preliminary step of defining where you want to go, first. The Ready, Fire, Aim! approach rarely works out very well.
Write your goals down, and then follow through. Have the discipline to make things happen, and you will enjoy the fruits of your endeavors. Be accountable, and if that’s an issue find a friend who will hold you accountable— by sharing with him or her where you want to go, and how you’re going to get there.
Once you’ve set a target, engaged in the hard work, and reached the objectives you’ve set for yourself, you’ll be happier, more fulfilled, and more determined to continue to live life to its fullest. If along the way you can touch the lives of all you meet in a positive way, share your abilities, continue to pay it forward, and change the world— all the better.
As my friend, author Jeffrey Gitomer says, “Failure is not about insecurity. It’s about a lack of execution.” So, when are you going to start? Get out there, and execute your plan.
I know you can do it.
Blessings,
tw
Tom Wilbur is President/CEO of BANK VI, Salina, Kansas—a bank he helped start in 2005. He routinely writes for periodicals, magazines and blogs and has been published nationally. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and has been engaged for decades In serving others by his leadership of numerous non-profit organizations and initiatives in this area. He can be reached at [email protected]