Finishing the Job

Last weekend, many of us sat mesmerized watching Tom Watson make history. What are the chances that a 59 year old golfer would make history and win the British Open? He played consistently all four days. As you may know, he was leading by one shot as he teed off at the par four 18th hole. First shot, down the middle-perfect. Second shot-a little long, on the back fringe just off the green. Third shot-again, hit a little hard and went about eight feet past the hole. Now, he has an eight foot putt to make to win the 2009 British Open. It never had a chance and the rest is history.

How often does this happen in the business world? You go through and do everything you need to do except the last item that will finish the job. Sometimes we lose concentration, sometimes we get moved into another role, sometimes we get tired and assume others will pick up the slack. Often, the difference between good and great is just finishing the job!

This is not limited to work. How many books are partially read? How many home projects are in various stages of completion? How about the lawn, garden or kids projects? The bottom line is that it's easy to get distracted and move on to something else that has more promise, is more exciting or has a higher priority. Most of the time, this problem is self-inflicted and we accept more than we can handle.

In order for us to succeed, feel a sense of accomplishment, and eliminate stress from our lives we must learn to finish the job. We must learn to say no, remain focused and make sure any job we take on is completed before we move on to the next one. That doesn't mean we can't be working on several things, but it does mean that we stick to a deadline and stay with a task or project until it's finished.

This is not meant to be a dig on Tom Watson. What he did last weekend was truly remarkable. The bottom line is that he didn't win the tournament and he won't go down in history as the oldest golfer to win a major. I'm sure Mr. Watson would agree, he didn't finish the job!