By Dr. John C. Maxwell
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.
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.
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.
