Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Learn why letting go of perfectionism is the fastest route to crossing your finish line

Jon Acuff

2017

8 Key Insights

About This Book

Most of us are masters of starting projects—but finish lines? We barely see them. This guide shows you how to transform from a chronic starter into a consistent finisher. You’ll discover why missing one day doesn’t doom your goal, how cutting objectives in half skyrockets success, and which habits secretly keep you hiding. Filled with counterintuitive shortcuts—like treating fun as a must-have, celebrating imperfect progress with data, and calling in a friend at the last mile—this material gives you clear, step-by-step actions to outsmart perfectionism, stay motivated, and actually finish what you start.

About the Author

A bestselling author and speaker, John Acuff has helped hundreds of thousands of people slay perfectionism and finish their goals. Drawing on PhD-level research, real-world experiments, and his own habit-filled life, he turns complex behavioral science into clear, actionable guidance. When he’s not writing or speaking, he’s often found wandering Costco aisles looking for bargains—or actually finishing a speaking tour.

Biggest Takeaway

• Develop tolerance for imperfection and keep going after small slip-ups • Break down overly ambitious goals into achievable milestones • Eliminate distractions and strategically choose what to stop doing • Infuse enjoyment into your process to boost both satisfaction and success • Use simple data tracking to celebrate real progress and make smart adjustments • Crush secret rules that sabotage your efforts and overcome last-minute fear • Build accountability through friends so you cross the finish line