It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish
It was Friday, May 6, just one day before the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Eric Reed received a phone call asking if he wanted to enter his horse in the Derby, because another horse had been scratched at the last minute.
The entry of Reed’s horse, Rich Strike, wasn’t expected to alter the results of the race. He went off as an 80-1 long shot – the largest longshot in the field. There was plenty of discussion on race day about who would win the Derby, but the name Rich Strike didn’t enter into any of them.
Rich Strike started the race on the outside, and immediately went to the inside. The horse’s jockey, Sonny Leon, waited patiently in the back of the pack for the first half of the race. As the horses entered the final stretch, Leon made his move. He guided Rich Strike through the pack, until his horse was on the inside battling against favorites Epicenter and Zandon in the final seconds.
Leon led Rich Strike to a three-quarter length victory in the second-biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history. Anyone fortunate enough to have bet on this unlikely champion was rewarded by a whopping $163.60 on a $2.00 bet to win.
Great stories like this are always chock full of valuable lessons, about sports and about life. As we approach the last three months of the year – the final quarter of 2022 – I’ve been reflecting on the thought that it’s not how you start that’s important, it’s how you finish.
I’m running a half-marathon in a few weeks, and I’ve been running more than normal to prepare for it. The biggest difference is the length of my run on the weekend, which will be as long as 12 miles leading up to race day. I’m not sure if you’re a runner, but 8 or 10 or 12 miles is a LONG way for me. And I don’t always start my run being super excited about the prospect of doing it. In fact, the opposite is often the case.
Fortunately, that feeling changes quickly. I usually feel like I hit my stride at mile four or five, and the rest of the run feels really good. Every single time – regardless of how I’ve felt at the beginning of my run – I feel great afterwards about having done it.
As we approach the last quarter of the year, I’d like you to look at the 4th quarter through that same lens. If you’ve had a great year so far, then continue the momentum, and make 2022 your best year ever! If the last three months haven’t gone as well as you would prefer, or even if the entire year has fallen short of expectations, you still have time. It’s not how you start that’s important, it’s how you finish.
90 days is a long enough period of time that you can achieve significant results. Like the last furlong (1/8 mile) of a one and one-quarter mile long horse race, there is still time to finish the year strong, and position yourself for a phenomenally successful 2023 – in every area of life.
Rich Strike wasn’t even expected to be in the Kentucky Derby. He galloped in the back of the pack at the start, and later in the middle of the pack before making his move. Then, against all odds, he won.
I hope you accomplish something similar in the remaining time we have left in 2022. When you do, please contact me, and tell me all about it. And, if you would like support along the way, just let me know what I can do to help you. Be great, and finish strong!
