It takes 20X more effort to get started
than to keep going

Larry, Manager for a dental equipment manufacturer based in Newberg, OR told Session 7 of the Leadership Development Lab™ (LDL):

“About six weeks before I received my red dot at Session 3 of the LDL, my wife and I found out that my sister-in-law (Wanda) was coming home from the Philippines on September 26. She had been gone for 18 months, so my wife and I decided that we would have a big party for her when she got home. I told my wife (Vicki), ‘I should add on to our deck and maybe put some planter boxes and benches around the perimeter.’ Vicki thought that was a great idea and asked if I could get it done before her sister got home. My reply was, ‘I’ll try.’

“When we received our red dots on August 6th, I hadn’t even started on the deck project.  When Larry asked, ‘Can you think of an important project you have waiting to complete, or have talked about but never started?’ I knew immediately that deck addition would be my Red Dot 5X (Five Times More Enthusiasm) project. I had five weeks and the clock was ticking.

“Now, I put 5X more enthusiasm into this project. The very next night after work, I drew up the detailed plans for the 12’ x 12’ addition to our deck, eleven planter boxes and the benches that are suspended between the boxes. Before the week was over, I had cleared the ground where the deck addition was to go. It took most every evening after work for the next two weeks to build the deck. The existing deck (12’ x 24’), was then pressure washed, and both decks were stained and waterproofed. The wood was then cut and assembled for eleven 18” x 18” x 20” planter boxes. The boxes were then stained and waterproofed. The eight benches are not started yet, but they are on schedule and will be completed on time for the big party.

“The lesson I learned from this experience is that I need to take the first step and when I do, momentum is on my side.

“The action I call you to take is to start the important projects you have been talking about. Momentum will be on your co-pilot and soon you will check them off as finished.

“The benefit you will gain is the pride and joy that achievement always brings.”

Newton said that objects in motion tend to remain in motion. It takes far more energy to start motion than to keep it moving. Starting alone is half done.

“The secret of getting ahead, is getting started.”
– Mark Twain

How To Turbocharge You:
6 Steps To Tap Your True Potential

for more insight into how you can identify your potential, get in touch with your strengths, clarify your dreams and commit to your goals.

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