Introduction“The first few steps are critical, but they aren’t the most important.”
Understanding and accepting miscalculations can often provide clarity. Acuff details his discovery that the best catalyst to success should be consistently finishing goals and not just energetically starting new endeavors. After publishing a 2013 book urging readers “to start” they began to pull him aside after events. The attendees often questioned; “I’ve started a million things, but I never finish them. How do I finish?” This question got to the core of a condition that permeated his own life. This trapping is exemplified by the comment “my garage is also a mausoleum to almost.” A University of Memphis researcher was able to assist deriving the answer to this question. The results changed Acuff’s approach to finishing and therefore life. Chronic starters who plan on grinding through work can become consistent finishers. Removing the crippling expectations tied to perfection increases productivity. He likens the practical lessons learned through the research to shortcuts. Unfortunately, there is often unfounded guilt associated with taking an easy route when attaining goals. Asking a local for a recommendation is a shortcut. Turning off Wi-Fi while working is a shortcut. Keeping sweets out of the house during a diet is a shortcut. In reality, shortcuts can be practically used to finish without guilt. Chapter 1“The day after perfect is what separates the finishers from starters.”
The day after perfect is described as the pivotal point for finishing. Acuff sees the largest drop off from his 30 day programs on the second day. It is clear once perfection leaves the realm of possibility most participants will not finish. The promise that gets broken is one made to oneself. Once enough of these promises are broken self doubt emerges. This negative momentum can seep into identity in a way where failure can seem inevitable regardless of the goal set forth. The chapter ends acknowledging this cycle but purporting to provide a blueprint to fight perfectionism. Chapter 2“That’s how powerfully destructive a wrong-sized goal is.”
During his research Acuff asked his participants to cut their goal in half after day 9 of the 30 day program. The results were notable; “[they] increased their performance from [past...challenges] on average by over 63%.” Also, 90% of participants increased their desire to work on their goal. Similarly, the medium of the goal may indicate a doubling of the time set for completion. This attainable approach is juxtaposed to higher intensity methodology that tends to minimize overall pace. An ability to pull data from the past to inform planning can help temper dangerous optimism and planning fallacy. These modifications may be easier to initiate personally than in a work setting but that will be addressed in a later chapter. It is still noted that “few things demoralize a workforce like a leader who doesn’t pick the right sized goal.”. Chapter 3“The only way to accomplish a new goal is to feed it your most valuable resource: time.”
Acuff uses a vivid and self-deprecating description of his lawn upkeep as an allegory for choosing what to bomb. Prioritizing his family with young children over his home’s exterior appearance is a clear example of picking between two options. The options are provided: Attempt more than is humanly possible and fail. Choose what to bomb and succeed at a goal that matters.
In another frame Acuff is presenting a choice between shame and strategy. Choosing to feel shame over small and inconsequential failures will only hinder overall success. He outlines his four personal points of strategic incompetence; tv, social media, email, and yard work. All of these were chosen with a strategy of assigning a red light and green light category to activities that would hinder or promote progress respectively. The same process can be applied to relationships and time spent socially. In action, using the word “No” for a short duration can be the easiest way to prioritize time. Lastly, bombing can take the form of simplification. Even something as uncomplicated as recurring online grocery orders can be instituted for a period.
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