finish what you started and never quit

How many times did you start a diet, only to quit after a few days?

How many times have you started exercising, running or swimming, but after a little while later you stopped?

Did you try to stop smoking or drinking, but could not resist the temptation to smoke or drink again?

Quitting before achieving your goal is quite common. Just look at the New Year resolutions people make. Do they start carrying them out, and if they do, for how long?

It is so easy not to finish what you start. It is so easy to quit, and it requires no effort.

Why people quit what they set out to do?

Accomplishing goals and tasks requires effort.

It is always easier, and there is no effort involved, when you seek immediate gratification. Eating, drinking, smoking, going out and having fun require no effort, and it is something you can enjoy immediately, unlike losing weight or bodybuilding, which require time and effort.

What happens after you quit? You feel a bad about your lack of self-discipline, and then try to find excuses why it was the right thing to do.

After some time, you meet people that started to do what you did, but had enough self-discipline to continue and get results. This often, awakens envy and anger.

The difference between you and the people that finish what they start doing is self-discipline. They possess self-discipline and persistence and you don’t. You might say they are lucky, but this is not luck. It is self-discipline, and it is something you too can have.

After getting what they wanted they can enjoy it.

They were willing to sacrifice some pleasures, some laziness, and some effort, so that they gain something greater. They use their self-discipline to shape their body, lose weight and achieve various goals and tasks. Then, they can enjoy the results, and often, get the admiration of the people who never finish what they start.

There are people that study, earn a degree and find a great job.

Some spend time learning a foreign language, and others persist with swimming, running, or working out, even if it is difficult at the beginning.

Some build a business or a career.

All these people have the discipline to continue and not quit.

If you never finish what you start, how can you achieve anything? You need to undo this habit, and develop the habit of finishing what you start.

What can you do to get self-discipline and finish what you start?

There are several things you need to do, so you can finish what you start.

1. Think over and again about what you read here, until you realize how important self-discipline is.
2. Look at the people around you, who started a certain project or decision and followed through until they get what they set out to do. See how determined they are about that project or decision and how they behave.
3. Start with very small projects, or simple, daily tasks that do not require too much time and effort, so as to gain confidence. This will also help you overcome laziness, if you are guilty of it.
4. Practice self-discipline exercises. You will find a few exercises to start with in myarticle about discipline. If you need more guidance and advice and more exercises, you will find them in my book about this topic.