The summer is my favorite time of the year for a lot of reasons. However, near the top of that list is the NBA Finals. Every June, two teams’ hard work and discipline culminate in a face-off of (hopefully) epic proportions.

For the last decade, the Finals have been dominated by some of the game’s all-time greats. Curry, Durant, James, Jokic, Antetokounmpo. We’ve gotten extremely lucky to have witnessed some fan favorites become champions and it’s been great for the league.

But…2025 looks a little different. We’ve got two “small-market teams” from Indianapolis and Oklahoma City in the spotlight. But not only are the two teams new to playing meaningful basketball in June, one was viewed as a Goliath-like juggernaut before the series kicked off.

So what happened in Game 1? For a while, it was the beatdown everyone expected.

For 47 straight minutes, the Oklahoma City Thunder had their foot on the gas. Their defense was suffocating, they were in total control, and with a 15-point lead late in the fourth quarter? It was supposed to be lights out. A done deal.

But the Indiana Pacers refused to roll over. They just kept grinding. That’s the "Finisher's Mindset" in action. Down nine with under three minutes to play, they put together a furious 12-2 run.

Then came the moment. A missed shot by OKC’s league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Tyrese Haliburton gets the ball with the clock bleeding out. One pull-up jumper with 0.3 seconds left.

Game. Blouses.

The team that trailed for literally the entire night stole the win at the last possible second.

Sound familiar? It should. This isn't just a basketball story. It’s the story of every project where we let up in the final stretch, or every sales goal we almost hit because we started coasting too early.

We do the hard work, build the lead, and then subconsciously take our foot off the pedal, leaving just enough room for someone else to catch us from behind.

This week, we're breaking down that Finisher's Mindset. It’s that crucial discipline of running through the tape with full effort, making sure the victory you worked for actually ends up in the win column.

As most of you know, I’m in the middle of recovering from a rare injury. It’s been one of the most isolating experiences of my life. For someone who’s always thrived on being relatable and being able to connect with others on a multitude of levels, it’s been a challenge.

While I was searching for a nerve surgeon here in LA, I came across Sam Dever. Sam is a fellow “Illinois to LA guy” which would’ve already made us friends if we had met before. However, Sam and I also share another unique trait. We both dislocated our knees so bad that we needed nerve transfers to restore our qualities of life.

Sam recently launched Produce Your Passion and it is pretty damn cool. It’s best described as a platform to help people overcome obstacles to bring their visions to life and to become their most authentic self. I had the pleasure of not only being a guest on the podcast, but watching Sam work feverishly towards a successful launch.

With this week’s focus on “finishing the job”, I couldn’t be happier to have Produce Your Passion as our sponsor. Overcoming obstacles is a part of any game worth winning and Sam’s launch showcases the power of playing the game until the clock hits zero.

The story of the Pacers and the Thunder in Game 1 is the perfect lesson in why you can never let up. One team felt the win was certain and eased off the gas. The other stayed hungry and sprinted through the tape.

This isn't just about sports; it's about standards. It's about having the discipline to finish what you start, every time. So how do you build that Finisher's Mindset?

Let's break down the playbook with three keys.

Key 1: Lock In Your Focus (The Mental Game)

When a goal is 95% complete, it's easy to check out. Our minds trick us into thinking the job is already done. This is the most dangerous mental trap. It’s where mistakes happen and details get missed.

Think about the Thunder. Up by a big margin, the intense focus that built the lead likely wavered. A missed defensive rotation here, a casual pass there. Small lapses in focus create big openings for competitors.

In your professional life, this is the final review of a major report. It's prepping for the "final" client meeting with the same intensity as the first. It’s resisting the urge to just "get it over with" and instead, staying locked in on quality until the very end.

Actionable Tip: Create a 'Finish Line' Checklist

For any major project, create a specific checklist for the final 5%. What are the exact steps for final review, delivery, and follow-up? Don't rely on mental memory when focus is fading. A checklist ensures nothing gets dropped.

Key 2: Keep Your Foot on the Gas (The Action Game)

Mental focus must be paired with sustained effort. The Pacers didn't just hope for a comeback; they worked for it. Their stunning 12-2 run to end the game was a burst of maximum effort when it mattered most.

They didn't play "not to lose"; they played to win. They kept their foot on the gas until the final buzzer. This is what it means to run through the tape, not just to it.

In business, this is how market leaders get dethroned. They stop innovating with the same hunger. They scale back effort, assuming their lead is permanent (think Blockbuster).

Your competition, however, is always running. They are looking for that moment you decide to coast. I know some of y’all stopped short of the finish line in Mario Kart to troll, then got hit with a turtle shell and lost the match…

Actionable Tip: Redefine 'Done'

"Done" isn't when the hard part is over. "Done" is when the project is delivered and confirmed.

"Done" isn't when you hit your sales quota in week 11. It's after the final minute of week 12. Set your effort-goal past the perceived finish line.

Key 3: Remember Who's Chasing You (The Strategic Game)

A primary reason to finish strong? You are never competing in a vacuum. Someone is always chasing. The Pacers knew they had a chance because OKC was still on the court.

Complacency creates opportunity—for your opponent. Using your competition as fuel is a powerful motivator. Elite athletes know their rival is in a gym somewhere, working. That knowledge prevents them from taking a day off.

Professionally, this awareness is crucial. Constantly monitor the market for new players and shifts. Understand that your top position or secure client is what your competition is actively trying to take from you.

Let that awareness sharpen your focus, not create paranoia. Use it to validate the need for sustained, maximum effort.

Actionable Tip: Schedule 'Scouting Reports'

Once a month, schedule time to specifically review your competitive landscape. What are others doing well? What new threats are emerging?

Use this information not to copy, but to fuel your drive to stay ahead and finish strong.

Post-Game Recap : The Discipline of Finishing

The lesson from the basketball court and the graveyard of once-dominant companies is clear: success is temporary, and complacency is the enemy. The moment you ease up is the moment you become vulnerable.

It's a discipline built on three pillars: maintaining unwavering Focus when you're tired, sustaining maximum Effort when you think you've already won, and strategically Anticipating the competition that never stops chasing.

Whether you're closing out a game, a project, or a personal goal, your commitment in the final stretch defines the result. Be known as the one who always runs through the tape.

I hope these insights on the "Finisher's Mindset" help you stay focused and run through the tape on your own important goals! Remember, the final stretch is where commitment is truly tested and victories are secured.

If you found this newsletter valuable, the best 'assist' you can give is sharing it! Forwarding this email or sharing the subscription link with a colleague, friend, or connection who's also working on gaining their edge helps this community grow.

Finally, quick feedback helps me tailor these newsletters even better. Drop me a comment or reply to this with your thoughts! I love conversation, especially with you all.

As always, THANK YOU! See y’all next week 🏁