Mike 
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to finish well. We tend to think of retirement, or the end of our earthly lives, as the “finish line.” With this mindset, finishing well focuses on the tributes that might be offered at a retirement dinner or the classic question, “What will be said in your eulogy?”
While those are important, such a limited perspective can cause us to overlook other important finish lines. In truth, a person may encounter many finish lines over the course of a career. And for every finish line, there is a danger of getting tripped before you reach it. These include:
- Focusing too much on moving up the career ladder. This is especially an issue early in a leader’s career. If you’re only thinking about tomorrow, you’ll miss the opportunity to make your best contribution today and to learn important lessons for the future.
- Giving up during a difficult season. A fatalistic attitude can creep in – “I can’t change anything” or “it’s all ‘their’ fault.” You can’t finish well with this mindset, nor can you experience the personal growth that God may want for you.
- Believing your own press. In a season of great success, you may begin to feel as if you’re in complete control and that nothing can stop you. Unfortunately, that’s the moment when leaders often take their eye off the finish line and lose the race.
- Coasting toward retirement. This may occur because of a loss of energy or a fear that taking a bold risk will hurt your legacy. A mental shift is inevitable when retirement is looming, but you can consciously keep asking what is best for your church or ministry.
