Remember Endings Follow Beginnings
Excitement for the beginning is great. It unleashes the energy and gets things rolling. Every customer order, every project, and even your career has a beginning and an end. Remember endings have just as much importance as the beginning.
When things start, it is often hard to keep in mind that things will end. The optimism and excitement of the beginning often gets everyone engaged in the flow. Flow means momentum and momentum is hard to stop.
After the Beginning
Your latest personal technology device is super cool on the first day or week. Eighteen short months later and it has often lost some of its luster.
It is similar for a new outfit, a pair of shoes, and a car. Awesome at first, but later not so much.
Certainly, it is similar for your job or your career. Even the greatest start is followed by an ending.
Unless it is the finale of something great, like a fireworks display, the end is often not desirable or attractive. In fact, it is a distraction.
At the same time having the foresight and recognition that often even the best things come to end is important for your career.
Remember Endings
Endings follow starts.
Starts are important, so are first impressions. Yet across time impressions and opinions often change.
How you navigate between the beginning and the end will continue to shape your reputation and your personal brand.
How you end will be remembered.
While you’re navigating your day keep in mind that what you do becomes part of the reputation that follows you. The beginning, the journey, the end.
It’s true for this day, and every day thereafter.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
