Close Doesn’t Count; You Have to Finish it!

Phineas Taylor Barnum is a little bit melodramatic, but we should expect that from a man who started a circus; known as Barnum & Bailey Circus.

How many have almost reached the goal of their ambition, but, losing faith in themselves, have relaxed their energies, and the golden prize has been lost forever.

P. T. Barnum

The truth here is that you get no credit until you have taken that thing all the way to finished.

Half-done doesn’t count. Three-fourths of a novel isn’t getting you any points. Almost shipped doesn’t impress anybody. No matter how close you are, if you let up and don’t make that final push to complete, you get no credit. Close doesn’t count.

You have only the two options: Complete or Incomplete. Done or Undone. Finished or Failed.

Now, once a thing is done (complete, finished), there are lots of other possibilities. It may be a flop. It may be a huge success. It may make you millions, make you happy, make your hair grow back. It may not (most likely not on the hair thing). But your job is to quit worrying about what happens after you complete and just complete.

Worrying about what will happen after you complete is how you start talking yourself out of completion.

It’s a TRAP. Most probably the bigger one!

Once you’ve begun, don’t waste any time questioning yourself. Just go ahead with it, for all the world like you are an infallible pillar of wisdom and experience. No matter that you’re not. If you create a track record of finishing what you start, you’ll become a pillar of wisdom and experience.

Are there questions of “what-if-this-is-a-flop” wailing in your head? Tell them to shut it.

Are you still hearing echoes? Turn on some music and get to work.

What action do you need to take to move closer to completion?

What your goal for the day?

You don’t have time for average; fear is average.

Overcoming the fear? Pushing through in spite of the fear? Kicking fear’s butt, and doing your best work despite the screaming voices of doom?

That’s above average. That’s exceptional. That’s what brings you success, the world at your door, and a free lifetime supply of your favorite cheesy crackers.*

*No guarantee on the crackers.