Finishing + Starting
I have a deep relationship with finishing and starting. You see, I have a thing for the endings and beginnings of things.
Ends of journals and starts of new. (Judging just when the appropriate time to sign out of one and scratch the first words onto the page of the new has arrived.)
The last day of the month and the first of the next. (Reflecting on the joys while anticipating the adventures.)
Year ends and year beginnings. (Careening with arms wide open and a heart filled with gratitude and a healthy dose of disappointment.)
As a result, I've learned there are 5 simple keys to finishing well and starting with strength. And today I'm sharing those with you.
Key #1: Reflection is the Starting Place
If you're like me, there's hardly time to take a breath on the day to day. Up early - work through the Ta-Dah list - zone out for a few - hit the bed - and start again.
I journal each morning with a cup (or two) of coffee in hand, so there's a bit of help there for me as I reflect over the day before. But honestly, I'm typically writing about what I need to do that day and how to make it happen. On rare occasions, I'll journal a bit more at night, but that's usually when something earth-shifting has happened.
Importantly, starting well means investing time at the end and gives me the opportunity to think about a few things.
Key #2 - Adjustments Based on Reality
Afterward, based on my answers in reflection, I may need to adust some of my priorities and activities. Maybe I need an attitude adjustment! (EEK)
Obviously, we can only make progress when we recognize where we're stumbling. For this reason, investing time to create an intentional list or declaration will help keep us moving forward instead of getting stuck or stagnant.
Sometimes we need an accountability partner to share these things with. And, if you do, this is the time to let them in on what you've discovered.
Unfortunately, I've also learned that Shame and Guilt want to have a voice here. Yep, sometimes we need to repent. And I mean REALLY repent. (Which means to turn a different direction.) But when we've done that, and taken these things to the Lord, He doesn't shame us. He welcomes us with arms of grace.
Yes, sometimes we bear uncomfortable consequences of our past decisions. But if we let Shame and Guilt have the primary voice, we will never move beyond our current state.
Key #3 - Future Visioning for Clarity
Whether you're starting a new week or a new year, investing time to consider how you want to BE in the next season is important.
And notice, I DID NOT say what you want to DO.
Being is a lot of work. We have to truly consider how we want to show up in the world. How do we want to love? When we are with people, what do we want them to feel? As we encounter difficult situations (which we will) what is the primary objective?
Learning to consider the king of person you want to be in all of your relationships and roles can help you see yourself, and the world around you in a different way.
I love the power of future visioning, especially at the end of the year.
For instance, I'm writing out my future self vision this week. And the statement I start with is, "It's December 31, 2025, and my life is..."
Key #4 - Thinking from the End
Starting well begins with Future Visioning. This practice gives me a landing space. An 'ending'. Now it's up to me to create the path to what I'm seeing.
I call it "Thinking from the End". And, it's not original with me. However, I see it as a way to partner with the Lord. Because, after all, He's the One who declares the end from the beginning.
'I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' Isaiah 46:10
If you don't know where you're going, how will you know you got there?
It's a process I use for myself, and I use with my clients.
There's too much to write here, but the basic premise is this...
- Decide the end goal.
- What is the step you'll need to take just before that last one?
- What is the step before that?
- Continue to the beginning.
Step #5: Release the Results
This step of starting is completely counterintuitive. Most life or business coaches will tell you that you need to create the plan and work the plan. And while that is true and necessary, as Christians, we have to learn to release the outcome to the Lord.
I'm hoping here that you've been doing all of this reflecting and adjusting in a prayer-filled way. And if so, we need to lean into the powerful truth found in Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
And Proverbs 16:3 says this:
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
And Proverbs 16:9 expands to this:
A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
The Lord expects us to make plans for the future, but He doesn't want those plans to become our 'god'.
We pray, we listen, we plan. And then we trust.
And then we start all over again at the next finish/start.
