January 30, 2023

“Victory is given to the one who finishes, not the one who starts.”

Everyone starts; few finish. The difference can be described in one word: “commitment.” That’s the difference between a daydreamer and a dream achiever.

Dreams are free, but the journey isn’t. Your mind can take you anywhere and have anything, but only action will allow you to achieve what your mind desires. Nothing is easier than saying words, and nothing is harder than living them out.

Commitment is measured by action. At the starting line, runners talk about what they will do. At the finish line, runners show you what they did. Crossing the finish line is a commitment with a payoff.

People that demonstrate commitment begin with the end in mind. The finish lines of your life will define and underline your commitments.

Starting is easy; finishing is not.

At the beginning of the race, there are many starters. The longer the race, the more commitment is required. Dedication separates starters from finishers.

Starters want immediate gratification. They don’t want to wait for their reward. They want the finish line to be close to the starting line. It never is.

Finishers are willing to stay committed until they cross the finish line. They know that the finish line is far from where they started. They make no excuses, and they remain in the race.

Starters often think that life should be easy. They believe life is downhill; it’s not. They think they should be good at their first attempt; they are not. They believe dreaming is enough; it’s not. They think success is luck; it’s not.

Finishers know that life is difficult. They know that life is uphill; it is. They know they will not be good at their first attempt; they are right. They know that a dream is not enough. They must work for it; they are right. They know that success is not easy; they are right.

“Intentionally Own It!” Reflection: Get a piece of paper and write two words on it: Keep Going! Post it where you see it often.

Think about something you want to do with intentionality. Use this statement as a reminder to keep moving in that direction. Growth and improvement can be a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up.

*Adapted from iLead