Keep Going

I would agree that sometimes it is hard to get started, but once you do get started you have to face the second challenge. The challenge of continually making progress after the initial enthusiasm has worn off.

You have to admit, that we sometimes get excited about that new thing we have started. Whether it is the book we wanted to write, the blog we wanted to write; or there could be a dozen different things that someone like you has finally got started on.

Unfortunately, there comes a time when you lose the feelings that came with starting and you have to reach down inside and find a new strength to continue to make progress.

Now, I am not saying that is will always be easy, because we have already stated that there are times of let-down, when you do not feel the initial encouragement. However, it is possible to take your project beyond the initial stage.

Below is a list of the few things that I think of when I need a little encouragement to keep making progress:

1. Examine, revisit why you are doing this in the first place. (Now I realize that asking this question may cause you to lay some things aside and not do them anymore, but it will also allow you to focus on the good reasons why you started your new venture.)
2. Remember that old saying, “Rome was not built in a day.” It will take some time to get where you want to go.
3. Keep going even when you do not feel like it.
4. Make a plan, and inside that plan make checkpoints where you can measure to see that you are making progress, no matter how small it might be.
5. Keep going even when you do not feel like it.

And I finish with these two statements by John Maxwell:

1. When you do what you know to do, you eventually feel motivated.
2. Motivation is not the cause of action; motivation is the byproduct of action.

Now let me ask you a question; Do you feel like you do a good job following through, or do you struggle to finish too. What things do you do to get your discipline to keep going?