This is something I’ve believed my entire life — “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”
It applies to just about anything — your music playing, your career, your relationships, and simply your life.
My second post for this weekend’s motivational minute is simple…
Never lose sight of the finish line. Paul says it best when he writes, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
That’s the kind of spirit we should all have.
Don’t worry about your shortcomings.
Don’t worry that you weren’t on the same playing field as others.
Don’t worry that things didn’t come as easy for you.
Don’t worry if you suffer with a handicap or disadvantages others don’t have.
It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.
And I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s all “relative.”
In other words, your “start” and “finish” are not my start and finish. So don’t get too caught up in what everyone else is doing (…that’s only if watching others tends to discourage you — if you find it empowering and it inspires action, by all means, do so).
I know it’s a cliche but we can do anything we put our mind to. We’ve sent folks to the moon. We’ve built technologies to fly us from one side of the world to the other. Who knows what we’ll be doing 50 years from now. The point is, these are creations of those who understood the power of potential.
So if you ever feel the need to make excuses and “woulda-shoulda-coulda’s,” just remember…
It’s not where you start. Heck, it doesn’t matter where you are RIGHT NOW. It doesn’t matter if you almost finished and had to start all over — as long as you get there!
Press on!
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November 2nd, 2008 (comment#1)
Got to get back in the RACE< Keep the motivation coming………..
You put a lot of music into people’s Life and that is one of the greatest things you can do. Blessings, Sam
November 3rd, 2008 (comment#2)
Jermaine,
Man I really appreciate this one. I have been really in the dumps lately. I am minister of music at my church and I have gotten really discouraged by the progress of the choir since I took the reins. I have older people in my choir that aren’t always as cooperative as I would like them to be. I feel like I am walking in quicksand and always sinking the more effort I put into it. But, I read in the word about a very painful fruit of the Spirit…”LONG-SUFFERING.” I have never liked that one, and neither would anyone else in their right mind. lol But, I realize from this motto that you have shared that if I keep my eye on the prize it will all be worth it. Even in my effort to play better piano, and not just better music, I know that if I focus on the Lord that the pain now will make me appreciate the Victory later. I hope this testimony blesses someone else that may be just as bogged down. But, remember who we work for and remember the victory that was already given to us through prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane that the master prayed…Not my will, but thy will be done. Be Blessed family!!!
October 20th, 2009 (comment#3)
Thank you for this one jermaine! i know it’s old, but at this breaking point in my piano journey i always focus on what im doing now instead of where im going. Especially seeing how others are playing immediately well after doing the 300 pg. course and im still on it a year later and only in chapter 6. Thank you for all you done and for continuing to encourage your students. Pray that i will continue applying the 6 P’s and that i will reach my long dream of finally being able to play the piano!