By cultivating the qualities of self-belief and perseverance, individuals can learn to finish strong in both personal endeavors and in life.
“Finish well,” I told myself while practicing a passage from Mendelssohn’s Variations Sérieuses Op. 54.
The end of each measure in Variation 8, a quick variation with four sets of triplet sixteenth notes in each measure, continued to trouble me.
I practiced this passage using all the tips and tricks I knew, gained from years of experience. And yet, I still heard misaligned notes.
“Finished well,” I repeated.
The Importance of Finishing Strong
I believe, any task worth doing needs to be seen to completion with the same effort I initially gave to the task (if not more!)
I have this tendency at times to start things well and later become distracted and not finish quite as well. (You should see me attempt to cook skillet dinners!)
As a person with unending creative business ideas, I must discipline myself to maintain focus and work with excellence until the task is complete – just as I must do with this passage of music.
Overcoming Mental Barriers
Sometimes, the final stage of the project, or in this case measure, contains the most challenging efforts. That is where attention, determination, and intensity of focus must persist.
I have to develop the stamina to see it through by practicing sustained focus and believing in my ability to conquer the challenge.
The Power of Belief
That word, belief, is key.
I have to believe I am capable of completing the task with excellence.
I have to believe in my abilities and give my best effort instead of giving up.
I have to believe the effort is worth it, either for my personal benefit or the benefit of others (or both!)
I have to believe I am worthy enough to receive my efforts to reach my full potential and dreams.
I know these thoughts might seem a bit existential and lofty to propose when reflecting on half a beat of music I may never perform for others.
But I think there is a truth here that goes deeper.
I must believe I deserve to be my best for myself and others. I must not give up when life gets more challenging. I must maintain focus and determination to see my projects and life to completion because I and my efforts are worth it.
Positive Self-Talk
And you know what?
After that little heartfelt chat with myself, I began to play the music with greater precision and speed – better than ever before!
Sometimes, I’ve found that simply giving myself a pep talk is all I need to clear up a passage (after also putting in the technical work).
In this case, that was the mindset I needed to keep my focus and intention through the entire measure. I didn’t allow myself to give up mentally simply because the last half beat of the measure was more challenging than the beginning.
I saw the passage through all the way to completion and finished well.
Food for Thought:
What is one area of your life you’ve been giving up on?
Envision how it would feel to finish well in that area.
I encourage you to consider your mindset and the underlying beliefs preventing you from finishing well. Try reframing your thinking and see how that impacts your ability to finish strong in all areas of your life.
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