This post is going to be all about the ability to finish. I call it close. How do you close the deal? How do you close the book? How do you finish something that you started?

In today’s society, in today’s environment, a lot of us suffer from attention span deprivation. I don’t know if that’s a real term. I’m going to call it attention span deprivation. We are deprived of having a long attention span because there’s so much short form content via TikTok and Instagram Reels and even, like, a lot of microwave mentality type things with Uber Eats and weight loss pills and weight loss surgery.

I kind of elaborated on easy ways to lose weight on last week’s Live Better Now podcast or two weeks ago’s episode, about I had someone email me a question about how he wanted to lose weight, but he was lazy. And I gave him three options on how he can lose weight if he was lazy. But those three options are not really sustainable long term, and they’re not the right way to do it, and they’re not the healthy way to do it.

The healthy way and the right way to do something great is to work hard, be consistent, and if you are good at something that you are doing for a long period of time, you will get great results. That’s how life works.

It’s 2023 and the pendulum is starting to swing in the other direction away from having it right here, right now. Because TikTok and Instagram Reels and Delivery Dudes and Uber Eats and on-demand Netflix and streaming platforms make it so easy for us to just get what we want right here, right now. As far as, like, a dopamine fix goes, if we want a shot of Dopamine, we just open Instagram. We want a shot of Dopamine, we just go to Netflix. We want a shot of Dopamine. You can get it very easily. It’s accessible. It’s not hard and complicated to get quick entertainment or get a quick hit rush of dopamine. And that’s not a good thing, it’s really not a good thing. Our attention span is being more compressed and compressed over time.

So what I want to talk about today is our ability to finish, okay? Your ability to finish something that you started. For example, if you start writing a book, your ability to finish the book. If you start reading a book, your ability to finish reading the book. If you start a project, your ability to finish the project. And this is something that I struggle with, too. We all struggle with the ability to close. But the message lately around social media and the personal growth and self-development space, which I agree with, about urgency and just trying things, throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks, I think that’s the saying is, throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks.

Think less… Do more

Now, I am a huge proponent of just starting things, of thinking less and doing more, jumping in headfirst. Do not test the water. Do not dip your toe in the water and see the temperature of the water. You just jump right in and you figure it out over time. I am a huge proponent of that.

A lot of the successes around the projects that I’ve started, whether it’s the Live Better Now podcast I started, as an example, when I started the podcast, I didn’t have all the details figured out. I didn’t have a perfect plan or a clear roadmap. I just knew that I wanted to share my thoughts and ideas with others and hopefully make a positive impact. I jumped in headfirst, started recording episodes, and learned along the way. I made mistakes, faced challenges, and encountered obstacles, but I kept going. I didn’t let the fear of imperfection or the uncertainty of the outcome stop me from moving forward. And that’s the mindset I encourage all of you to adopt when it comes to starting and finishing projects.

Develop the ability to finish

However, while it’s important to start and take action, it’s equally important to develop the ability to finish what you started. Starting is just the beginning, but finishing is where the real value lies. It’s what separates the dreamers from the achievers, the talkers from the doers.

So, how can we improve our ability to finish? Here are a few strategies that can help:

Set clear goals: Clearly define what you want to achieve and set specific, measurable, and achievable goals. This will give you a sense of direction and purpose, making it easier to stay motivated and focused until the end.

Break it down: Large projects or goals can often feel overwhelming, leading to procrastination or giving up halfway through. Break down your project into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. Focus on one step at a time, celebrating small victories along the way.

Develop discipline and consistency: Building discipline and consistency is crucial for finishing what you started. Set a schedule or routine that allows you to work consistently towards your goal. Even if progress seems slow at times, keep showing up and putting in the effort.

Stay accountable: Find ways to hold yourself accountable for your actions. This could be through accountability partners, mentors, or even publicly sharing your progress. When others are aware of your commitment, it adds an extra layer of motivation to follow through.

Embrace challenges and setbacks: Understand that challenges and setbacks are part of the journey. Instead of seeing them as roadblocks, view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Adapt, adjust your approach if needed, and keep pushing forward.

Celebrate milestones: Celebrate your progress and milestones along the way. Recognize and reward yourself for the effort and commitment you’ve put into reaching each stage of the project. This positive reinforcement will keep you motivated and energized to continue.

Remember, finishing what you start is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. It requires a combination of mindset, discipline, and perseverance. By adopting these strategies and cultivating the habit of closing what you started, you’ll not only achieve your goals but also build confidence in your ability to take on future endeavors.

So, I challenge you all to embrace the mindset of a finisher. Start with intention, work diligently, and cross that finish line with pride. It’s time to overcome attention span deprivation and become masters of closing. Let’s finish what we started and live better now.

I hope you found some value in this post, thank you for subscribing and for more on this and many other topics and interviews with masters of their game, check out the Live Better Now podcast with Life Coach Zach available on all podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify. It’s a free resource for everyone and I’ll catch you next time.