S:0076 Distinction: Complete vs. Finished

Published on: March 12, 1997

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

It feels good to finish a task or project. Your to-do list probably contains many items you want to finish. To be finished means you’ve done your best given the resources you have.

To be complete is to be finished plus have systems in place so that something doesn’t come back to bite you for five years; it’s when you have anticipated what might happen to unravel your work and you’ve got it covered.

 
Coaching Point: You know it’s complete when you have virtually no thought about it nor any degree of concern. It’s done.

 

Copyright 1997 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.