Starting is easy, finishing the course is hard. Or is it?
Years ago I went to an author's workshop put on by Mark Victor Hanson, the Chicken Soup For The Soul guy. The first thing I remember was him asking audience of 1000 published and aspiring authors by raise of hands, who were good starters but poor finishers. I raised my hand and expected to see 1000 hands. It looked to me like most of the crowd raised their hand. Then he asked how many were poor starters, but excellent finishers. To my surprise, there were just as many finishers in the room as starters. He instructed us starters to make note of the finishers around us, and get to know a few. Every starter needs a good editor, and vice versa. Mark holds the Guinness Book of world records for most books sold. At the time it was 144 million. But I don't think he has ever written a book solo. Jack Canfield is his finisher and together they formed an highly successful partnership. He has written a lot of other books, but he's never the only one.
It is beneficial to know ourselves, and seek a partnership that can help us succeed, and where we can help our compadre push harder and finish the course.
Today I needed a partner. My "brother in Iron" (Mike) is in San Diego, sending me photos of fish tacos, while I'm trying to muster the gumption to go to the gym. I called my buddy Jacob. No answer. So I got all jacked-up on pre-workout supplements with intent to train in my garage. Then I farted around long enough for it to wear off. Kristen tells me there's a coyote chewing on something in the back yard. It's a moose bone. I can't say how the bone got there. I tried to save that moose bone from it's fate but my arrow grazed belly hair and the scoundrel bolted I lost focus and grew tired again. Jacob, my meat-head guardian angel called and saved me. We had a killer training session and stunk like dead moose when we finished That's a good indicator of a good workout.
Most pursuits I prefer to have a partner. I enjoy my own company just fine. I do a lot of things solo, but when I'm feeling weak, I really don't need a partner to push me, but I benefit having a partner to do things with. Then I come alive and can push them. It gives me purpose. And pushing myself comes natural. Today my purpose was to: Expend max energy at the gym and make Jacob throw up doing cardio.
The first was a success. I came close on the second. I heard the "P" word mentioned a couple of times. But he finished successfully. Maybe next time.