Move the Starting Line Up

Move the Starting Line Up: Why Starting Early Changes Everything 

Torn.  Achilles.  A tough injury and an even tougher rehabilitation process.  During that rehab a few years ago, I faced a challenge: how do I increase my run distances to get back to where I was before the injury? At first, I tried extending the finish line—pushing myself to go farther each day. It was often discouraging – my body wanted to stop at yesterday’s finish line. Then I changed my approach: instead of extending the end line, I started earlier. I moved the starting line up. Suddenly, the increasing distances felt easier because the extra distance was at the beginning of my route instead of at the end.   

That simple shift in mindset made all the difference. And it applies to business projects, too. 

The Business Parallel: Big Projects Feel Harder When You Start Too Late 

When companies think about major initiatives—like implementing a new ERP/CRM/WMS system, tackling a digital transformation, or executing a merger / acquisition —they often overly focus on the finish line: the go-live date, the transformation milestone, the TSA target. But they burn precious time at the beginning by dragging out decisions on which software or partners to use and failing to mobilize quickly.   

As Todd Fisher often says: 

“The two hardest things to do on a project are to start and to stop.” 

Starting early creates momentum, reduces risk, and streamlines the entire journey. Delaying the start and squeezing your timeline?  That’s like forcing yourself to sprint your last mile up a steep hill at the end of a run—you’ll feel every step. 

Now Is the Perfect Time to Move the Starting Line Up 

Right now, most organizations are setting budgets for next year. But here’s the challenge: how do you accurately budget for a major project if you haven’t done the planning work yet? Without a clear roadmap, your budget is a guess—and guesses lead to surprises. 

If this sounds like your organization, a Fisher Planning Project, Software Selection, or our new AI Maturity Index Assessment can deliver: 

• • A clear understanding of where you are today. 
  • A defined future state with organizational alignment. 
  • A prioritized roadmap for how to get there. 
  • An informed, realistic budget for your strategic initiatives. 

This isn’t just planning—it’s risk reduction and cost control. 

Ready to Start? 

Don’t wait until the end-of-year panic sets in. The best move you can make right now for your most important upcoming project is to START. Contact Fisher today and we can help!   

 

About Adam Smith