Finish What You Start!

March 28, 2007

Let’s start with a good Biblical principle from Paul, “I have fought a good fight. I have FINISHED my course…” II Tim. 4:7

And add a German Proverb, “He who begins too much accomplishes too little.”

We live in a world without fences: a global community! We live in a world with few boundaries: at best the lines are blurred. We live in a world of multiple options! It is therefore very easy to get caught up in the “opportunity trap”. We take on too many assignments at work. We have too many social commitments and not enough covenants. We have too many people tugging at us from every angle. And, with the exponential growth of knowledge in the world today, who can say NO?

There’s a PRINCIPLE that we too often miss in today’s fast paced “get-all-you-can-as-fast-as-you-can” world. The principle can best be described using the two prepositions: to and from. As we move TO SOMETHING we must remember that most often, we’ll also need to move FROM SOMETHING. We can’t just keep ADDING things to our lives. Eventually we must face the reality that there is only 24 hours in the day and we can’t stay awake all 24! We must become more efficient and effective.

“The way to get things done is to not mind who gets the credit. “ Benjamin Franklin

Teamwork is needed in most ventures of life. It’s a way of instilling humility in us all. In working with others we can also find skills that compliment one another. Admitting that we don’t know it all or can’t do it all is a first step in excellence and promotions. What are our GIFTINGS and who has other skills that will work well with ours?

Most people are very successful the FIRST DAY of a new job, venture, or task. But, what about on day two, week three, and month six when the job has gotten tough or boring? The tendency is to find things or people to blame our lack of success on and then move on having not finished the assignment. Too often, we get involved in civic groups, church activities, or neighborhood projects and when it doesn’t fit our fancy, we bail out. Most often we don’t notify anyone of the exit. We just simply quit! And, all of those who entered into the task with us are like the grass in the African saying, “ When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”

“It’s a long road from conception to completion.” Moliere

May we have a reputation among our friends and co-workers that we are the person to give a job to IF you want the job completed! May the “line” on us be that, “you can count on them to go the distance and finish what they start”! The harder the job gets, the tougher we get. The Japanese proverb that fits here is, “fall seven times, but stand up eight.” We should be of the mindset that if we FAIL, it’s only because we weren’t allowed enough time. And, if given the chance again, we’d take it and win, not run!

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” Proverbs 22:1

I’ve learned much from a man named Og Mandino, who has authored many books. But, one of the things that he has said that has served me well all these years was, “So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough, I will win.”

If we undertook every task with the thought that we had to complete it before we could go on to another job, we’d be more selective about what we agreed to do. May we embark upon every assignment offered to us as though our future depended upon it because in reality, that’s a fact! May we not downplay or take lightly anything we AGREE to do. May our WORD be our BOND and our WITNESS!

Written by Ernie · Filed Under How to Get Promoted