|
So close, and yet so far. That's how I'm feeling right now as I continue working on a massive project. It's about 86.4% finished. I can sort of, almost, kind of...if I squint...see the light at the end of the tunnel. The hardest part is over, yet the remaining 13.6% is likely going to involve a lot of stress and a lot of work. The last mile is so often the hardest mile; the last 10% of a project can often feel like the most daunting piece of the
puzzle.
So, what can you do when you are nearing the end of a major project and you feel your enthusiasm melting away like a Chunky Monkey ice cream cone on a hot summer day? A few thoughts, well, five to be precise:
1. Choose your self-talk wisely. Two weeks ago, on this very Bat-channel, l wrote about how asking the question, "Can I make it to the finish line?" creates a more positive mental response and mindset shift than asking, "Can I keep going?"
2. Celebrate and reflect on how far you've come. Talk about the lessons learned along the way! You need to intentionally focus on the progress you've made and on how far you've traveled, rather than just focusing on how much there is still left to do.
3. Be realistic, don't sugar coat things. As tempting as it may be, don't oversell the idea that the end is but a hop, skip, and a jump away. Don't create false expectations. Talk openly about the obstacles you'll still have to surmount as you approach the summit.
4. Remember why you started. It can be easy to lose sight of why you are doing this, so now is the time to keep your eye on the proverbial prize. Remind everyone of the ultimate goal and of the myriad of benefits awaiting everyone when you cross the finish live.
5. Celebrate! Now you might think celebrating prematurely could be, well, premature. And of course you're going to celebrate wildly once you've crossed the finish line, but this is also the perfect time to throw a much-needed "Light at the End of the Tunnel Bash," a "We're So Darned Close We Can Smell It Party" or a "If I Squint I Can Almost See the Summit Event" as a way to celebrate your progress, re-energize the troops, and
refocus on your ultimate goal.
 |
|
|