NASCAR drivers know the importance of starting in the right place. Before a
race even begins, they compete with one another in the hope of earning the best
starting position. At qualifying runs, held the week prior to the official race,
each driver speeds around the racetrack in a timed performance. The driver with
the fastest time earns pole position—the right to begin the race in front of the
other cars. A driver in pole position doesn’t have to be concerned about passing
anyone in order to win the race. All he or she must do is hold the position in
order to win.

Conversely, a driver who does poorly in the trial run must begin the race in
the worst possible position—the very back of the pack. Stuck behind the other
racecars, the disadvantaged driver has virtually no chance of winning. To finish
first, he or she would have to pass every other car on the track during the
course of the race.

In addition to starting strong, a NASCAR driver understands that his or her
performance depends on finishing well. In a 500-mile race, leading for 499 miles
is meaningless if a driver isn’t in front at the checkered flag. Regardless of a
driver’s skill maneuvering the car early in the race, if he or she crashes or
loses focus toward the end, the driver will forfeit the lead and lose the race.
Nobody wins points for their position in the middle of the race; rather, each
driver is assigned a place based on how he or she finishes.

THE BOOKENDS OF SUCCESS
Great leaders understand the
two bookends of success: starting and finishing. We generally think about them
in terms of doing a task or project. However, what’s true in our approach to
projects is also true in our approach to each day. How we spend our mornings and
evenings has a tremendous bearing on the course of our leadership.

I use my morning to set up a game plan for the day. During this time, I allow
no interruptions. I never schedule breakfast meetings, and I isolate myself from
distractions. I do not permit myself to strategize years down the road or to
project my thoughts months into the future. Rather, I narrow my focus to the
upcoming 24 hours. I ask myself: “Just for today, how can I be a success?”
Viewing life in 24-hour increments, I place a premium on each day. I try to make
each one a masterpiece.

During the evening, I reflect on my day. By reflecting, I translate my day’s
experiences into learning opportunities. This process solidifies in my mind the
lessons I’ve discovered or bits of knowledge I’ve uncovered. Reflecting also
gives me the space to assess my progress on the goals I made during the
morning.

Relaxation is another important part of my evening routine. I make a point to
put my leisure time into activities that replenish me by refueling my energy.
For me, such activities include spending quality time with my wife, reading a
book, or studying Scriptures. Relaxation puts me in a good emotional state,
lifts my spirits, and reminds me of the joys of life.

When I neglect to carve out time in the morning to plan my day, I notice
adverse effects. First, I don’t live my day on purpose. Instead of choosing
where to invest my time, I cede control of my schedule to whatever circumstances
happen to arise. Second, I squander my energy. Since I don’t outline clear goals
for my day, I float from one activity to another without getting anything done.
Finally, when I skip my morning planning time, I feel overwhelmed. Since I’m
ambitious, I have a propensity to bite off more than I can chew. If I don’t
focus my attention, the weight of my numerous involvements begins to drag me
down.

When I am not intentional about setting aside evening time for relaxation, I
encounter negative symptoms, too. First, I get uptight. My times of reflection
and relaxation act like valves that release stress from my life. If I don’t
guard those times, I get tense, my thoughts are more negative, and my health
suffers. Second, I lose passion. My leisure times fuel me. If I am not
intentional about putting time into my favorite activities, then life loses its
luster. Third, I miss chances to grow. When I don’t reflect on the meaningful
moments from each day, I rob myself of the benefits of experience.

SUMMARY
Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is out of reach.
That’s why today matters. Leaders who value each day know the importance of
starting well and finishing strong. In the mornings, they focus their energies
on key tasks, and in the evenings, they replenish themselves. By mastering the
bookends of success, leaders position themselves to make an impact every
day.

From: www.yoursuccessstore.com