Finishing strong

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Usain Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 metres and 200 metres titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016).


His speed earned him the nickname Lightning Bolt. Yet, paradoxically we learn that he was a slow starter as one of the slowest runners off the blocks. He had faith in his process though, and knew that he would gain speed in the latter stages of any race.

Usain, as a slow starter, has left us with this lesson. Finishing strong makes up for shaky starts.

I was reminded this week by a very public shaky start, as I witnessed the bookies favourite for the Open, our very own Rory McIlroy. Rory had a nightmare of a round on Thursday. This most uncharacteristic and unfortunate poor round of golf meant he was well out of contention scoring  8 over par.

Friday was a different story though. Like a true champion he dusted himself down and scored an amazing 6 under par. Even though he just missed the cut, he demonstrated a resilient tenacity of spirit that left him within a whisker of making it into the weekend. No wonder his interview was emotional. This 'can do' attitude of our Northern Irish golfing star is worthy of a mention. Again a poor start but wow what a strong finish.

Sport is so like life.

It's not how we start that matters, it's how well we finish.

Don't let shaky starts and circumstantial setbacks wear you down. Refocus, recalibrate and be intentional of having a strong finish.

Remember the old adage "when the going gets tough the tough get going"!

Comments

  1. George Elliot21 July 2019 at 08:25

    24] But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. (Act 20:24 NLT)

    ReplyDelete
  2. George Elliot21 July 2019 at 08:29

    Shakespeare once said “ The good that men do is oft interred with their bones “ The only accurate judges on earth if I have finished strong will be my ancestors at my funeral, and the Lord Himself on judgement day

    ReplyDelete

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