THE DISCIPLINE OF FINISHING WHAT YOU START

By Pearl Loftlin | Moving Forward Training Solutions

Finishing is one of the most powerful professional habits a leader can build — yet for many of us, it’s the hardest to master.

I know this well.

I have been the visionary with brilliant ideas and strong starts, yet inconsistent endings. I have been the leader who meant well but let “later” become “longer.” And I have been the woman who carried God-sized ideas but hadn’t yet built God-honoring discipline.

But nothing changed in my life or leadership until I learned the truth:

Growth is not in the starting.
Growth is in the finishing.

The Three Emotional Phases of Every Idea

1. The Spark Stage

The beginning feels effortless — full of creativity, energy, and imagination. It’s easy to fall in love with the idea, the vision board, the plan.

But the spark isn’t mastery.
The spark is adrenaline.

2. The Oxygen Stage

This is where the idea needs structure, focus, and consistency.
It’s also where distractions, fatigue, emotional dips, and new responsibilities show up.

Many people quit here — not for lack of skill, but for lack of rhythm.

Finishing became non-negotiable for me when I realized my work carried weight.
People were waiting.
Systems were waiting.
Lives were waiting.

Completion became stewardship.

3. The Finish Line Stage

Finishing requires intention, responsibility, and resilience — but it rewards you with confidence, credibility, momentum, and mental clarity.

Completion is a breakthrough moment.
It stabilizes you internally.
It expands you professionally.

How to Build the Practice of Finishing

1. Define what “done” looks like

Completion must be measurable — not emotional.

2. Create a protected window

Finishing cannot survive in leftover time.

3. Close something before opening something

Completion before expansion.
Every time.

E³ Reflection

EQUIP — What project or commitment have you started but not finished?
ELEVATE — What would completing it unlock for you?
EXECUTE — What is one measurable step you can take this week?

The Change Agent Challenge

Finish one open loop this week.
Anything.
Something you’ve delayed but already know needs to be done.

Completion builds identity.

“Finishing is a form of self-respect. When you complete what you committed to, you honor the version of you who had the courage to begin.”