How to Have a Good Start

It isn’t every time that speed determines success. I am fond of the rabbit and turtle race fable in which the rabbit explodes in great speed leaving the slow turtle moving at the best speed it can behind. Close to the finish line the rabbit discovers that the race wasn’t a contest by any standard and decided to rest his feet under a tree before winning. Unfortunately he falls asleep and loses as the turtle crept through the line with the rabbit still asleep.

The story brings to life the maxim: “Pride cometh before a fall” – which is true, but doesn't negate another profound truth which is that a good start is priceless. I argued in an article, The Swift Achiever, that, although the fastest runner doesn’t always win the race it is good to be the fastest. Who would you rather be on a 100m race track, Usain Bolt or Yusuf Leinge? I would rather be Bolt!

A determining factor to swiftness is a good start – the take-off – it is the foundation to victory. The way you start anything goes a long way in your overall performance. It is true that the end is more important than the beginning but many have misinterpreted this to mean that you can start as lazily and casually as you think and would still finish at the strongest possible way for you. This paradigm is a fable in itself and believing it is the same thing as ignoring all contrary evidence in athletics, academics, politics, and even religion.

To have a good start you must train for it. It was Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, who said, “Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.” It may be okay to be a slow starter for now but if you must make progress in your success journey you must allow training transform you into another person. Your training will including reading and expanding your mind.

Second, you should maintain the right mind-posture for the take-off. Your heart’s disposition shouldn’t be one of laziness but of rapt attention to the approaching opportunities. This would ensure that you indeed spring forth when the need arises.

Finally, when the opportunity comes, drive as much force into your take off as you possibly can. Don’t take it lightly on this. Opportunities, in their unique nature, come only once. Take it with all you’ve got because you will not get exactly the same opportunity again.