Who wants a weak finish? No one! Everyone wants a strong finish. But, what does the term “strong finish” mean? Why are there 2 types of strong finishes? Why is a strong finish important? When should we not bother with a strong finish? How might we set up action plans to execute strong finishes?

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Contents

Opportunities for a Strong Finish Everywhere
1234The (almost) Perfect Cup of Coffee
1234After the Coffee
2 Types of Strong Finish
1234The External Version
1234The Internal Version
Why is a Strong Finish Important?
1234The External Strong Finish
1234The Internal Strong Finish
Internal Culture
When is a Strong Finish NOT Important?
Identifying a Strong Finish
1234The External Strong Finish
1234The Internal Strong Finish
1234Conflicting Conclusions
A Strong Finish of Life
Action Plan
1234Small Tasks
1234Large Projects
12341234Exam Preparation
12341234Sports Event Preparation
123412341234During the Events
12341234Dichotomy of Control
Tracking
Parting Message

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Opportunities for a Strong Finish Everywhere [top]

You can spot opportunities for a strong finish everywhere you go.

The (almost) Perfect Cup of Coffee [top]

I do not drink alcohol but on most days of the year my late morning cup of coffee is at a bar beside an open-air swimming pool. The young bartender is friendly and knows exactly how I like my coffee. I do notice something negative though. In the very final fraction of a second, as he is placing my coffee in front of me, he has already turned his gaze away to turn back to his work area. On a few occasions, there is a slight spill of the coffee into the saucer. I deal with that without a fuss. I also noticed that he does not make the effort to turn the cup such that the handle is correctly aligned for either a right-handed or left-handed coffee drinker. I simply observe this quietly and turn the cup myself to take a sip. The young man serving me is friendly, I get my coffee, but it is not served with the strong finish that might have made my coffee experience of that day a perfect one. Nor does it signal that his future will be bright.

After the Coffee [top]

A coffee experience is just one tiny example. We see the need for strong finishes everywhere we look. The parting words at the end of a job interview, the concluding remarks in a report to a client, or the end of a movie that wants to be a blockbuster, the universe is full of possibilities for a strong finish to help us.

2 Types of Strong Finish [top]

I believe that there are 2 types of strong finishes – the External and the Internal.

The External Version – We observe a strong finish in ourselves or in others when we experience a performance in the final stage that is better than in prior stages – the External Strong Finish. [top]

The Internal Version – We experience a strong finish internally when the effort we experience in the final stage is significantly harder than in the prior stages – the Internal Strong Finish [top]

So, a critical difference between the 2 is one of outcome versus effort. Although an external strong finish may be important for some reasons, I believe that an internal strong finish is the more important one for personal growth.

Why is a Strong Finish Important? [top]

The External Strong Finish – The human brain has a cognitive bias, called the recency effect, such that we tend to remember the final moments of an experience more vividly than earlier parts. A strong finish is essential for creating a memorable, impactful, and satisfying experience that leaves a lasting positive impression on others. People are more likely to respect and value your contributions when they see your commitment to completing tasks effectively. If you are a public performer, be it sports, music or the arts, your fans will appreciate and respect a strong finish.

If an External Strong Finish is important for your activity or event – not working to ensure a strong finish will hurt you, often in some manner that you will not even be able to observe. [top]

The Internal Strong Finish – Place yourself in the position of the external observer and the same reasons apply to you but from an internal perspective. Completing tasks or projects with a strong finish gives you a sense of fulfilment and pride in your work. Successfully executing a strong finish can boost your motivation and confidence, encouraging you to take on new challenges. [top]

Internal Culture [top]

In the continuously evolving process of nurturing your internal culture, keep a permanent place for a desire to have a strong finish in whatever you do. When having a strong finish becomes part of your identity, you will find that you automatically think and act towards achieving a strong finish in most things you do. You will also develop the ability to quickly judge when a strong finish is not relevant or important.

When is a Strong Finish NOT important? [top]

There are occasions when a strong finish is not relevant. To be consistent with our internal culture of seeking a strong finish we can replace “strong finish” with a more general idea of an appropriately strong finish. For example, an easy effort run in the last few days leading up to your marathon race. If you go to a yoga class, you will notice, the last few minutes are appropriately relaxed. When you come to the end of your day and are meant to sleep, the appropriate finish is one that includes relaxing activities, not one connected to high mental or physical performance.

Identifying a Strong Finish [top]

How do you identify a strong finish?

The External Strong Finish – an external observer should be able to experience it with their senses. [top]

The Internal Strong Finish – only you will know if you had a strong finish, no matter what someone else observes, as it is something you will feel. [top]

Conflicting Conclusions – can be easy to resolve. If someone observed that you did not have an external strong finish but you know that you did execute the process for an internal strong finish, then, for your internal growth and development, it does not matter too much that the external finish observed was not strong. What matters more is the internal growth from the internal strong finish. [top]

A Strong Finish of Life [top]

We target a strong finish to our years of formal education. We target a strong finish for our years of earning external wealth. Only a lucky few have a strong finish to life – to have over 10 decades of living, with the last years also being ones of independent living and free of pain. Perhaps, the true mastery of strong finishes is demonstrated by such a life. Keeping that in mind, it would be good to have a life plan that includes a strong finish. Life is unpredictable and we are all works in progress. It is not too late to start working on a plan to have a strong finish to your life.

All you need is a growth mindset, coupled with the humility to recognize that there is always room for improvement.

Action Plan [top]

It is the time dimension along which we can split any task. From coffee seed being prepared for planting, to coffee in a cup in front of me. Within each part of the supply chain, a strong finish can be expected. The coffee grower must deliver the best coffee beans. The coffee distributor must deliver shipments on time. The barista must place the specific coffee I requested in front of me at the right temperature. Then, a fresh chain of tiny events starts with my first sip of that coffee and finishes with me remembering to tip the barista appropriately.

Remembering that life is the biggest project we have, and that we must finish well, we can split our lives into a zillion smaller projects. Sometimes it is about exam preparation. At other times, it is about delivering a report to a client or launching a new software product. To stay fit, we might train for events like tennis club tournaments or recreational marathons. Each of these will have its own broad strategy, and its own detailed tactics for an overall good performance, and a strong finish will be an important element of them.

Small Tasks [top]

For small tasks, especially those that occur frequently, just focus on getting it right each time. Take, for example, serving a cup of coffee to someone. Make it a non-negotiable to deliver a service to others at the highest level of quality that you can deliver despite the external circumstances. Each time you do not deliver at that highest level, you are feeding the wolf that is happy to eat away at your personal growth. Keep that wolf starving by engaging in deliberate practice. Greater mindfulness does not need seated meditation if you can do your everyday tasks mindfully. All you might need to do is slow down, not feel rushed, and watch the magic happen from within you.

Large Projects [top]

For large projects, often the opportunity will not repeat itself. Life is the largest of such projects! Remember, that ensuring a strong finish is only partially about the finish. You are going to need mindfulness in both the planning and execution of the entire path to end up with a strong finish. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

For large projects that do get repeated a few times in your life, you have multiple opportunities to learn from earlier attempts to have a strong finish. Make it a point to plan an even stronger finish for the next one.

A common problem experienced by those who want a strong finish is that they face physical, mental, or emotional fatigue and end up peaking too early – as a result, the performance in the final stage is lacklustre – a weak finish. Think about those who work ridiculously hard all their lives at the cost of actually living. The finishing years of life, once they are older, is then one of a severely constrained existence – a high price to pay for working for too many more dollars than needed.

Exam Preparation [top]

You may want to study material to truly understand a subject. Closer to the exam date, the objective switches to performing well on the exam. You will have to decide on which date you make the switch from “truly understanding the subject” to “performing well at the exam” so that you have a strong finish – a strong pass.

Strong Finish Exam Prep Power tip #1 – sleep especially well on the 2-3 nights leading up to the exam.

Strong Finish Exam Prep Power tip #2 – do not review material you find difficult to handle 2-3 days before the exam.

Sports Event Preparation [top]

The idea holds true for any sport but I will explain with the example of a running race event. Having trained hard for many weeks, the best thing you can do with the greatest ease is to ensure that you arrive at the start line with fresh new legs. So, you must cut down on training in the days leading up to the event and sleep slightly longer than you normally do. With less training happening on those days, you might find your sleep requirement also drops, but be mindful of the need to sleep a little extra than your body might signal.

During the Events [top]

A competitive structured sport like a badminton or tennis match may not require you to plan for a strong finish. Your game strategy may well be to get ahead from the get-go. On the other hand, every point that you are playing for in a tennis match deserves the attention for a strong finish. Think about it, the player with the stronger external finish at that specific moment wins that specific point in the match!

During an endurance event, like distance running, one gets to experience the harsh truth of not preparing for a strong finish. In a competition against others – we have seen people come from behind to overtake and win – a strong external finish perfectly executed – but by someone else. If you are running only to achieve your personal target time, your many weeks of preparation should rely on a race day strategy of a steady start and strong finish rather than a strong start and weak finish. [read: Genetic Potential Fitness]

Dichotomy of Control [top]

Do not complain about what you were endowed with at the start. Do not complain about your performance this far. From wherever you are currently, you must rework the plans to ensure a strong finish. You cannot control the weather or terrain, but you can adjust your attitude and adjust your execution plan to continue to work towards a strong finish.

To the extent that the activity you are working on does not require others for execution, external events notwithstanding, you have 100% control of your execution pace for the entire path including the finish. Plan carefully for any gear or equipment you require, for any required fuel or food. Wars are not won by generals who do not plan for every possible eventuality.

Tracking [top]

Keeping a quantitative record and qualitative note of your progress in life and for each project of interest will help you achieve excellence sooner. Time is a non-renewable resource, so, use it well. Journal regularly to reach your goals sooner. Do not go for a small ROTI when you can have a large ROTI!

Parting Message [top]

For every article I write for you to read, I plan a strong finish. I do not know if I always achieve an externally observed strong finish, but I do feel the internal strong finish.

If everything you do is consistent with your core beliefs and desires, then a long and healthy life of joy is pretty much guaranteed to be yours. If you want to be guided in detail, you know how to reach me, and if you found this useful, please do share it with others.

Puru

Dr Purnendu Nath spends his waking hours focusing on helping individuals and organizations reach their goals, to make the world a better place. He speaks, writes and advises on topics such as finance, investment management, discipline, education, self-improvement, exercise, nutrition, health and fitness, leadership and parenting.