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Starting strong is easy. I begin with a vision, a dream, and a desire to be known for something good when I am done. The truth is, I often struggle with finishing well.
Leaders must start strong and finish well. Finishing well requires self-care, intentionality, focus and dedication, and support.
Give attention to these four areas, and you can leave a lasting legacy you can be proud of.
I purposely placed this step first. Too many leaders do not prioritize their self-care. Without strategic self-care, nothing else matters.
Prioritizing your health and well-being must be your first priority. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally gives you energy and focus for finishing well. Prioritizing your health and well-being should be an ongoing practice, not just a one-time event.
Prioritizing your well-being is critical because it ensures you have the energy and focus on achieving your goals. It helps you to avoid burnout and stay motivated.
Leaders might prioritize their health and well-being by taking a moment of silence early in the morning, developing a spiritual practice, exercising regularly, practicing good sleep hygiene, and taking regular breaks throughout the workday.
Taking care of yourself sets a positive example for others and makes you a better leader.
The first step towards finishing well is to define what it means to you.
This step involves taking the time to reflect on your goals, values, and priorities. What legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to be remembered?
Answering these questions will help you envision what finishing well looks like.
A CEO of a for-profit corporation might define finishing well as successfully transitioning the company to the next generation of leaders. In contrast, a non-profit leader might define finishing well as leaving the organization financially stable with a solid team to carry on the mission. Defining your definition of finishing well on the front end ensures you are taking proper action steps along the journey.
Taking time to reflect on what finishing well means to you is essential. This helps you create a clear vision, which you can use to guide your decisions and actions. The vision ensures you focus on what is important and avoid getting sidetracked by things that do not align with your goals.
As you embark on your journey to finishing well, remember that reflecting on what finishing well means to you is essential. Creating a clear vision will guide your decisions and actions and ensure that you remain focused and avoid getting sidetracked by things not in alignment with your goals.
Once you have defined what finishing well means, the next step is to create a plan to achieve your goals.
A plan should include specific and measurable actions to help you reach your desired outcome. It's essential to break down your plan into manageable steps that you can realistically achieve.
Creating a plan is critical because it helps you to chart a course toward your desired outcome. It also allows you to identify potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them.
Having a plan ensures that you are making progress toward your goals and not just drifting through life.
Suppose your goal is to transition the organization to the next generation of leaders. Your plan might include identifying potential successors, providing them with mentorship opportunities, and gradually delegating more responsibility to them.
Creating a plan is critical. It helps you to chart a course toward your desired outcome.
Planning enables you to identify potential obstacles and develop strategies for overcoming them. Having a plan ensures that you are making progress toward your goals and not just drifting through life.
Finishing well requires a robust support system. Surround yourself with peer leaders, coaches, and friends who will hold you accountable, guide, and support you.
This support system should include both personal and professional relationships.
Building a solid support system is essential because it helps you to stay motivated and focused on your goals. It also provides you with a sounding board for your ideas and a source of feedback.
Having a support system ensures that you are not alone in your journey and can draw on the expertise and experience of others.
A leader might have a coach who provides is a sounding board and a close friend who provides emotional support during challenging times.
Building a solid support network helps you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Supportive people provide you with a sounding board for your ideas and are a source of feedback. A support system ensures that you are not alone in your journey and can draw on the expertise and experience of others.
Finishing well requires intentionality, focus, support, and dedication.
By defining what finishing well means to you, creating a plan to achieve your goals, building a solid support system, and prioritizing your health and well-being, you can leave a lasting legacy you can be proud of. Remember, finishing well is a journey, not a destination.
Take the first step towards finishing well today!
Remember, finishing well is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, effort, and dedication to achieve your goals. But by following these four steps, you can leave a lasting legacy you can be proud of. Good luck on your journey to finishing well!
Now you know the four steps to becoming a leader who finishes well, it's time to take action.
Start by defining what finishing well means and creating a plan to achieve your goals. Then, build a robust support system, prioritize your health and well-being, and continuously learn and grow.
Remember, finishing well requires intentionality, focus, and dedication. By following these four steps, you can leave a lasting legacy you can be proud of.
Are you ready to take the first step toward finishing well?
Let's work together toward becoming successful leaders that positively impact our communities and organizations.
What steps will you commit to today?