Interesting People Finish What They Start – The Power of Follow-Through

Many people start on the path to excellence and an interesting life, but very few persevere to the end.

Now the path itself is actually never-ending, but most never reach any level of true success.

People start reading books, create websites, join a gym or a martial arts class.

They may decide to join a group to learn a new skill or to socialize.

Few people though ever finish the book, have their website running for more than a year, go to the gym consistently for more than a month, or stick it out in their new groups or classes for very long.

People lose momentum and don’t follow through.

This can be seen in all of its glory every New Year at your local gym. During the first two weeks of January gyms are packed and full of new people.

By the time February rolls around most of the new people have stopped going.

By the time it’s March or April the gym is back to normal.

Why don’t people finish what they start?

One reason is the sheer number of distractions surrounding us today. It is very easy to get sidetracked by the Internet, social media, television and a lack of focus.

Many people also have brain fog from a lack of exercise, poor diets and bad mental habits. They are unable to follow-through because they never follow through on anything.

It seems the only things that people make sure to do and to finish are the things they are forced to do and finish.

People renew their Drivers Licenses because if they don’t they will lose it.

People show up to work and do what is asked of them because if they don’t they will get fired.

People get their mothers a card for their birthday because if they don’t she will be sad.

Most of people’s actions are done to avoid negative consequences; not to achieve a positive goal.

Now certainly this isn’t the case all the time with every person, but typically it explains the majority of human activity.

It explains the rampant lack of follow-through in this world.

Nobody is forcing you to go to the gym, so eventually you stop going.

This is one reason why it helps many people to get a personal trainer. They are less likely to skip a gym session if they have someone to answer to.

It is like most people are children and not able to act by themselves.

People need laws, bosses at work and maybe even a bossy wife at home to get them to do anything.

To succeed at any endeavor in life takes follow-through.

It takes self motivation.

Nobody is going to force you to exercise, socialize, read any books after formal schooling is done, or start a new business.

People may try to convince you to do some of those things, but nobody is going to force you to.

You need to have passion and even a bit of obsession in order to succeed.

This is what separates the interesting person from the mediocre masses.

Interesting people follow through. They hold themselves accountable. They keep track of their activity every day and take action until completion.

The boring masses talk about big plans, but don’t follow those plans.

The interesting few don’t need to talk about their plans because they know the world will see the results of their actions.

Follow-through is a habit. It’s a character trait. You need TO BE a person that finishes what they start. It needs to be part of who you are.

Anyone who succeeds at anything significant and worthwhile is accountable to themselves.

The last person they would ever want to disappoint is themselves. The idea of it is unthinkable. The idea of being a flaky dabbler is unthinkable.

Success in any endeavor takes follow-through. It is good in a way that the majority of people don’t have this trait. With just a bit of follow-through you will stand out brightly among the non-committed packs of others.

Do you finish what you start?

What things have you not finished that you wish you did?

Do you finish more things than you leave unfinished?

What can you do to increase follow-through?

Keep a journal?

Have an accountability partner?

Create self-imposed penalties or rewards for either failing or succeeding?

Every person is different so you will probably need to try many tricks, systems and life-hacks to figure out what gets you to the finish-line.

Keep trying until you get it right.

You’ll probably need to adapt your systems over time, but the end goal is worth it.

Any goal that you truly desire is worth it…

… and no matter how many times you fall off track, get back on.