Tenacity, stubbornness, grit, determination – do these words describe anyone you know?  Do they describe you?  When I work with people I often run into folks who want and need change, and they start out strong, but then they lose their focus.  They love learning new things about themselves, exploring their strengths and learning what holds them back, but then when it comes to following through with the changes necessary to make the breakthroughs in their lives, they slow down and even quit.  Since I am often one who wants to get to the punch line, so I can apply what I am learning, I find this puzzling.

For some, it is financial reasons that keep them from taking the plunge to change, and that is understandable.  I often urge them to move slower after the exploration phase, and have actually priced my services lower than many coaches because I really want people to finish.

However, for many people it is really about not wanting to commit to change and to stick with a program long enough to see the affects of their hard work.  These are people who just don’t finish well.  They don’t like discipline and accountability and they just prefer to stay where they are.

Many people are like this in all areas of life.  They are one class short of a degree, one lesson short of a badge, one date short of a proposal, one more call short of a sale, they just quit to soon to experience real success.  People in this category make me very sad.  They never know the joy of accomplishing something they once considered bigger than themselves.

Is that your situation today?  Do you fail to take the last challenge and miss out on the reward?  Is there something big in your life that you have always wanted to do but knew you couldn’t finish?  Are you on a path right now that you know you may not complete?  Don’t stop, press ahead.  Within your reach is your goal, it may be one day away, or one week or maybe even one year.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep walking.  The difference between who you see yourself as right now and great accomplishment is one more step.  Don’t quit too soon!