Have you ever watched a track and field race? Picture the final moments—the runners lean forward as they approach the finish line, giving every ounce of energy to reach it. They don’t slow down. They don’t jog in. They run through the tape.
That image stuck with me. And it made me think—do we bring that same mindset to our leadership, our work, and our goals? Or do we sometimes coast to the finish line?
This simple metaphor—running through the tape—offers a powerful lesson for all of us, especially as leaders. It’s not just about how we start; it’s about how we finish.
Running through the tape isn’t about actual sprinting. It’s about finishing strong. It’s about seeing the finish line and not letting up. It’s about giving full effort—not just until we see the end, but through the end.
And it matters. Here's why.
Four Reasons to Run Through the Tape
1. To Maintain Your Energy
It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes, expending more energy actually builds more energy—especially when you're nearing a goal. Coasting, on the other hand, tends to drain our momentum. And if there’s another “race” right around the corner (and there usually is), coasting leaves us unprepared.
2. To Lead by Example
As leaders, we set the tone for our teams. If we slack off or wind down toward the finish, guess what? Our team notices—and they’ll do the same. But if we push through and finish strong, we demonstrate commitment, resilience, and accountability. We model the behavior we want to see.
3. To Build a Habit
We encounter finish lines every day—project deadlines, meeting outcomes, the end of a quarter. When we make it a habit to finish strong, we train ourselves to stay engaged, focused, and driven. It becomes part of who we are.
4. Because There’s Always Another Race
That’s not meant to discourage you—quite the opposite. Every ending is a new beginning. Every finish line is also a starting line for something else. And how we end one chapter often determines how well we start the next.
When you see the finish line, do you coast or run through the tape?
The way we finish matters. In fact, it might matter even more than how we start. So let’s finish strong—not just for the sake of achievement, but to set ourselves up for what comes next.
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