Don't Be Tempted To Turn Back

Starting something new is the exciting part. Finishing it is perhaps more exciting. But, it's what happens in between the start and the finish that is dreadful!

Think about moving from your old place to your new place. The exciting part is that you are finally moving on. Then you really get excited when you settle down into your new place. The dreaded part is what happens in between: packing up, paying for U-Haul, fixing everything that you broke so you could get back some of your deposit, and the stress of everything done on time. Then you get nervous about the whole move, wondering if you're making the right choice. The entire moving process could be very stressful -- as well as very expensive!

But what finally happens? You settle down in your new place and get to enjoy it.

Life works in the same way. There is a Start and a Finish, but there is always a Between. This "Between" is where you're tested. This is the place where you wonder whether or not to turn back and whether or not you made the right decisions to start in the first place. This is where frustration happens. This is where you're tempted to turn back.

I think about the ancient Israelites who lived in Egypt for about 400-plus years. The last part of those years were spent in slavery as a new Pharoah came to power. After Moses freed the Israelites, one of the very first things they did was have a party, full of singing. But shortly afterwards, the Israelites became discouraged because they didn't have anything to drink for three days! Then they started complaining, wondering if they should go back to Egypt. While they were slaves, at least they had all they could eat and drink.

They were tested for 40 years. That's a long time! A trip that should have taken about 2 weeks lasted for 40 years. The reason is because they just weren't ready to possess their own land yet. They complained too much and they were too immature. There was at least one time when a rebellion arose from the Israelites from some of their leaders. Their main reason for rebellion was to bring everybody back to Egypt. These were some tough 40 years!

But what eventually happened? They arrived at the "promised land" and settled down, no longer slaves to any nation.

In fact, there is a common trend with conquered nations who freed themselves. At first, the conquered nation rejoices that their captors have left them. But then there is a period of transition. This is when the freed nation figures out how to govern themselves. This period is filled with uncertainty and even rebellion, but finally the nation arrives at the finish line and settles down.

In the same way, you will be in a transitional period where you would question whether or not you should have started that project. See, we get excited about new things until we have to start doing those new things. Then the excitement leaves. This is where most people turn back. Only those with endurance will see the finish line and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Whether it's starting a new life, a new job, a new business, a new family, you will be in the Between period where you'd be tested. Always, always, always expect the period of transition. You will NEVER go from Start to Finish without any trials.

Coming to a fitness class is a great example of going from Start to Finish. You come to your first class and you're excited! Then the music starts and you wonder what you've gotten yourself into! I have seen people leave my classes early, perhaps because the work was too intense. I had one girl who left a class after the first two or three songs!

Understand that if you want to accomplish something, you need to be willing to endure the transition. No matter what you want to pursue in life, you WILL go through a period of transition. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you could easily move from one place to another with no oppositions.

Right now, my family and I are finally starting to settle down in North Carolina -- after ten years! We're not fully settled down yet, but we're definitely moving in the right direction. The exciting part was leaving New York City and starting a new life in the south. But then there was the long transitional period full of job loss, poverty, creditor problems, a legal suit, and lots and lots of questions about what it all means. But instead of running back home to New York City, we just endured and the smoke is finally starting to clear.

Sometimes, your transitional period is long -- very, very long. Sometimes, the transitional period is short. But regardless, the transition will happen. Success happens when you could get through that transitional period. 

Before you start something new, asks if you could endure the transition. If you can't, look for something else to do. But then again, there will always be transitions in life, and the only way to avoid that is to stay where you are. Do you know where you could go if you stay where you are? No where.