The best advice I have ever been given about pretty much everything has come from multiple sources and in different words but the essence has remained the same.

Always begin with the end in mind.

As kids we worked maze puzzles.  Did you ever start at the end?  It wasn’t cheating.. it was smart!  Imagine planning a trip and having to pack without knowing where you are going..  We need to start any endeavor knowing how we want it to finish.  It’s about intention.  It’s about strategy.

It was no surprise to me when I first ventured into writing to learn that many successful authors also followed this formula.  Before they started to write, in many ways they had finished the book.  How? They knew what they wanted to accomplish.  They had a purpose and intention. That meant that the book had its origin at the finish line.  As I am working on my next book I come back often to my vision for the book’s message and what it will mean to the reader. It allows me to stay on track and (for the most part!) on schedule.

What are you about to begin? Can you see the finish line in your mind?  To end there, start there.  Best advice I’ve ever been given is now my advice.  Pass it on.