Chixe

It's tough. We think we know how to "finish what we start" but inevitably that finish line gets fudged, and we think That's good enough. Definitely something I always need to watch for in all areas of my life.

About your example with races in The Olympics, I laughed because I did that once in a Cross-Country race. I seriously was in the first pack for about 1 mile at regionals. Ended up in the bottom 15% because I burned out! :)

Yeah that's why I was never good at distance running, because I couldn't stand not being in the lead the whole way through.

The 80:20 rule I see. The last 20% will probably cause 80% of your problems. Be it physical or motivational/emotional. Still, think of the moment when you finally tick that last job off and quietly say to yourself (when no one is listening), "It's done. It's as close to perfect as I'll get it. Lets go." The sense of satisfaction is so much sweeter after busting a gut to get there as near as perfect as possible, it makes it worth it. Total satisfaction, as you put it.

There's the other side of the coin, so to speak. There are those who don't put a lot of effort into that last 20% (they lag behind, procrastinate, find reasons not to expend the energy), because then it will mean they have reached their goal or they have succeeded. There are a lot of individuals who are afraid of success, the responsibilities it carries, and how it might change them, their lives, and their attitudes.

Well Lori, I'd counter that there is a third side of the coin if you will. :)

Cut out what causes you the most grief. If 20% of your customers take up 80% of you time but generate 10% of your revenue, they are not worth your time. They are actually costing you more than they bring in.

Same can be said for relationships or websites for that manner. I think that we're often too short term goal oriented.

Yeah, I can hammer myself and finish that site but what would happen if I launch it with 3 fewer features. Will the visitors know any different or will they care. Can I now take that saved time and apply it to a new endeavor or yet another version of said website that might yield even stronger results.

It's easy to nitpick and live in some self imposed tunnel vision. I think most people could benefit from taking a step back every one in a while.

That's why I try very hard not to look at the goal, but instead look at all the steps I'm making one at a time. Before I know it, I've reached the end because all I've been doing is concentrating on putting one foot forward at a time and making sure I do it well.

Of course...occasionally I make the big mistake of looking up. That's where the final 20% looks like an eternity to complete.

MangoFalls: Yes, there can be a third side to the coin, I agree. :) And, there can probably even be a fourth or fifth.

I reach my primary goal by taking baby steps along the way, and each baby step is a goal in itself, stepping stones towards the final goal. I am very goal-oriented, and succeed in reaching my goals.

I ran and finished the L.A. Marathon a few years ago. That took a lot of determination, through daily running in order to build up my endurance (baby steps, or rather, baby miles). When the day came, and I was actually in the midst of the Marathon, did my motivation diminish...not at all. Did I want to quit at the 20-mile marker...no. I "hit the wall" at the 22-mile marker...but that feeling lasted all of about five minutes. I finished the Marathon, without stopping and without lack of motivation to continue on.

my Projects page is a pretty good proof of this.

http://www.wakingideas.com/projects/

:/ i really got to get some things launched and going

Congratulations, LorriM! I always say of the experience of crossing that Marathon finish line, that I can't think of any other time when my mind and body are in such opposite places. (I hit my wall around mile 23, too.)

I'm the opposite. I go into the first 20% and then shit out on the last 80%. That's why all I know of Russian is the alphabet. Once I get past that first 20%, I'm there 'til the finish line.

I've always equated this to being well balanced. Maybe you're a brilliant professor but you're personal life is in the crapper. Maybe you're married but still have self esteem issues that you can't seem get over.

But Scrivs you are right, once you get past those beginning stages, it is all about that last 20%. Unfortunately for some, a lot of people are just struggling to get by.

Thank you, estarla. I agree, lol, mind and body are miles apart, pun intended. The joy and pain of it all.

It's weird you picked 20% - 80% because in the social work world there is a rule called "80-20" that basically means 80% of all human resources, agencies, psychotherapists, caseworkers and funding on every level goes to 20% of the population.
A little off topic so back to your original comment. There are some people who are talented, skilled or learn very fast with an environment that strongly supports them; they grow up believing they can and will always succeed. The first 80% comes very easily, practically with no effort on their part and the last 20% takes effort. It is at that exact millisecond that true character emerges because there is a chance of failure. Failure is not death.

@auburn- You are so right. Perhaps it is the fear of failure that causes people to not approach the last 20% with the same gusto as the first 80%.

estarla: I'm sorry, I meant to congratulate you!! How rude of me. LOL

Congratulations!!

Aesop was brilliant at illustrating this truth in The Tortoise and the Hare.

Progress and growth are incremental, despite the energy and creativity we feel in the beginning. I need to remind myself that getting to that last 20% is about patience, endurance, and persistence.

Or remind yourself that there is still a long way to go. If you can trick your body and mind into believing that you still got 80% to go, won't it still push on forward regardless?

It works better for me if I keep reassuring myself that there is only ONE STEP away (no matter how far that 20% actually is).