How You Can Focus and Finish Strong (Introduction)

“That is where the explorer Vasco de Gama learned to sail.” 

That’s what my friend told me as we looked down on a small sandy bay filled with colorful fishing boats in Sines, Portugal. Later that day, we traveled north to Lisbon where the Sea Discoveries Monument honors the voyagers who, 500 year’s earlier, departed Lisbon harbor and set-out in search of places no European had ever been before.

No other professional has faced more risk and uncertainty then an explorer.  Christopher Columbus, reflecting on his exploits said, “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” Concentrating on what these travelers faced can give us insight for our own challenges and help us focus and finish strong. So what were the obstacles faced by Columbus, de Gama and the other “original entrepreneurs”?

Small ships on a big ocean.  Columbus’s favorite ship Nina was 65 feel long. That’s only a few feet more then the distance from home plate to a pitchers mound.

Not enough money.  If not for the King and Queen of Spain, Columbus’s journey would never have happened. 

Lack of provisions.  An explorers first expenses went toward obtaining ships and crew.  Whatever was left was used to purchase food and drink.

No maps.  That’s right…nobody had ever been there before.

Productivity lost to sickness.  Cramped quarters were stressful and promoted a breeding ground for disease.

Frightened crew.  “So Captain, since you’ve never been there, how do you know that you know what you’re talking about?”

Crew revolt.  Months of not seeing the fruits of success made for tense times to say the least. Mutinies or near insurrections were not uncommon.

Each  of  the  obstacles  that were  faced by these voyagers parallels the challenges we encounter in starting our new ventures or growing our organizations.  So, like the explorers, how do we prevail over obstacles, and distractions and focus and finish strong?