Finish Strong

Finish Strong! We can't help but notice the year is ending! Yes, 2008 is drawing to a close. You may begin to think of what you hoped to accomplish this year; it may be the 3rd quarter and you're taking a look at the books; or it may have been such a difficult year, the fact that it's "ending" doesn't make much difference.

Here is a great video for you to watch called FINISH STRONG. It's a good video. I'm just sorry that it deals only with athletes.

This is sort of a 'thing' with me, harking back to my days raising funds for the homeless in San Antonio. Whenever it was time for a speech at a fundraiser, or for someone to visit the shelter, an athlete was always named. Yes, they are wonderful examples - if you can take them metaphorically. Believe it or not - I used to work out next to David Robinson when he was down at the Concord killing time, I guess. I could draw inspiration from the fact that he keep doing harder things, that he was there at all, that he kept at it, was sweating, was determined, but since his legs were longer than my whole body ... LOL.

Yes, for most of us its a stretch to draw inspiration from pro athletes, our chances of being one are so infinitestimal.

And also there are harder things in life that involve the spirit, the mind and the soul ... When you have to "watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools" or "hold on when there is nothing in your except the Will which says 'Hold on."...

I could name people in my own life, and in my coaching practice - so could you - who are struggling with things just as difficult, though they will never win Olympic awards, make millions of dollars, or even be mentioned in the newspaper. When you have to "watch the things you gave your life to brokwn, and stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools...

The 11 year old girl who had a stroke and cannot use her left hand, but
keyboards at 70 wpm (with one hand) and yearned to play the piano. No teacher would take her. I am now teaching her to play the piano.

My friend who lost her beautiful and exceptional 21 year old son and struggles onward. The minister read at the ceremony, "With all the generosity we can muster, we give him back to God and say 'thank you.'"

Mary Ann, 64 years old, who earns her money in an Internet business, helping others, the direst of others, whose right hand suddenly became paralyzed. She quietly moved the mouse over to the left side and started in. She's a client of mine. I never heard her complain. She just had some questions about marketing.

Jim, who came in last week and told me he had to fire 7 people "the day before Thanksgiving." And then there are the 7 he had to fire ... the day before Thanksgiving.

April who works full time for UPS, and then does the graveyard shift at a convenience store to make ends meet.

Richard, who is 55, who has just completed 10 years of sobriety.

Suzanne, who moved to a new city, with great hopes, but has been unable to get a job in her field for 8 months now and is running out of money.

Roann and Michael who are 70, and raising their grandchildren, who are 4 and 6 years old. I don't know the story. Nobody does. They're always grinning as if it were their greatest gift.

Patricia who finally managed to pass the math to get into nursing school.

Doug, 66 years old, who just lost 3/4ths of his IRA in the latest debacle.

John, 68, whose spine is crumbling (to quote the doctors), and was told that surgery could even make it worse, that there is nothing that can be done. He continues to work as a general practitioner, listening to people talk about allergies, flu, acid reflux...

Whatever you're struggling with now, it takes stamina. I encourage you to keep at it and FINISH STRONG. And BTW, it doesn't matter how long it takes. December 31st is not some magical date. Some of us are struggling with things that will not be resolved in one year, or even 5.

If you need a coach to help you do that, I'm just the one!

P.S. We also start thinking about New Year's resolutions. If the same ones will appear on your list for next year, let me help! EMAIL me.

If by Rudyard Kipling (not just for men!)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!