In 1997, Gary Winnick based World Crossing, an organization with the daring imaginative and prescient of laying undersea fiber-optic cables to construct a worldwide IP-based telecommunications community. It was an enormous infrastructure play, designed to kind the core transport layer for the web, connecting knowledge facilities and community hubs worldwide.
However as visionary because the plan was, none of it mattered with out one essential part: the final mile. That remaining connection to customers and companies decided whether or not the community may fulfill its promise.
World Crossing grew to become probably the most hyped firms in the course of the dot-com increase, peaking at a $47 billion market capitalization. The demand for web bandwidth surged – simply as predicted. However by 2001, the bubble burst. The corporate had overbuilt its capability and couldn’t generate sufficient income to cowl its money owed. In January 2002, it filed for chapter with $12.4 billion in liabilities.
The lesson? You might be early and even proper, however for those who don’t full the journey, the chance slips away. As progress buyers, it’s a reminder to take some earnings when pleasure runs excessive. Not each rocket ship reaches the moon.
Ah, these had been the times. I used to be buying and selling tech and web shares on the forty ninth flooring of 1 New York Plaza like a person possessed. Such a career-limiting transfer on reflection! I even traded GBLX however can’t recall whether or not I made or misplaced cash (most likely misplaced as a result of day buying and selling seldom works out).
Why Finishing the Final Mile Is Every little thing
If there’s one mantra my spouse is uninterested in listening to, it’s this: End the final mile. Wanting again, I didn’t totally respect how a lot World Crossing’s rise and fall formed the best way I function right this moment.
While you now not have a gradual paycheck—as I haven’t since leaving my finance job in 2012—there’s nobody to catch you for those who slip. No conferences? Improbable! But additionally, no paycheck or no accomplishment. Every little thing depends upon your capacity to observe by way of.
In distinction, as an worker, you might take two weeks off and nonetheless receives a commission. At massive firms, your absence may barely register for those who take a three-month sabbatical. However once you’re by yourself—whether or not as a retiree or solopreneur—the final mile is all on you.
With out ending the ultimate leg, all of the planning, effort, and setup quantities to nothing.
A Current Missed Final Mile That Bothers Me
I’m sharing this story as a result of I dropped the ball, and I wish to be accountable.
As a part of selling Millionaire Milestones: Easy Steps To Seven Figures, I supplied readers a novel likelihood for a 1-on-1 monetary session. The promotion: purchase 55 exhausting copies at a bulk low cost, which might complete roughly 40% lower than my regular consulting charge, and in return, get a customized session. Shoppers may reward the books, and I’d get to assist somebody straight. Despite the fact that I would make no cash, it is nonetheless a win-win.
This promotion ends Might 10 and doubtless received’t return till my subsequent guide drops in late 2027 or mid-2028. For those who’re , you’ll be able to fill out the quick kind on the finish of this web page.
One potential shopper accepted the provide. We exchanged emails, and he stuffed out the onboarding questionnaire. I reviewed his information, and he proposed a date and time. I mentally confirmed, opened my calendar, created a Google Meet invite, wrote a notice about trying ahead to the decision… and pressed save.
Sadly, I forgot to really ship the calendar invite!
Off we went on a five-night Tahoe ski journey. I even took a number of consulting calls throughout downtime and returned feeling recharged. However I didn’t notice till the next Thursday morning that I had by no means confirmed the assembly with him.
There was no e mail, no invite despatched. Simply silence on my finish, with the assumption I had a name lined up all alongside because it was in my calendar.
After I lastly responded and despatched the calendar invite at 7 a.m. Thursday morning, it was too late. His day had stuffed up. Worse, his final e mail to me was 11 days in the past. Think about paying for 55 books after which listening to nothing in return. I felt horrible.
Why I’m Now Unhealthy at Conferences (And What I’m Doing About It)
In my finance days (1999–2012), conferences had been every part. When serving to IPO candidates pitch to shoppers, I’d typically attend 7–8 conferences in a single day. Being punctual and ready wasn’t elective, it was anticipated. I would additionally typically meet with shoppers for meals or drinks. There was no method I may ghost them if I needed to construct good relationships.
However now? I common perhaps one business-related assembly per week. I restrict consulting to 1 session per 30 days to guard my freedom and vitality. That’s why you received’t discover my consulting web page except you seek for it. The demand is overwhelming, and taking it on would recreate a full-time job, inflicting my way of life to say no.
The consequence? My “assembly muscle” has atrophied. Generally I neglect appointments which are in my calendar. Alerts pop up, and I’ll nonetheless mentally dismiss them, as in the event that they had been invisible. Since 2012, my mind has been rewired to function on my schedule, not another person’s.
So right here’s what I’ve began doing since February 2025:
- Verify my calendar each morning
- Set two alarms for each assembly: half-hour earlier than and 5 minutes earlier than
Why two alarms? As a result of I’ve missed conferences earlier than after the 30-minute one goes off. Oh boy… the rewiring for conferences takes time.
Success Comes From Closing the Loop
You possibly can brainstorm, plan, and put together endlessly, however for those who don’t full the ultimate step, none of it issues. The final mile is the place outcomes occur. Listed here are some widespread examples:
1. Job Looking
Plan: Construct a resume, analysis firms
Miss: By no means apply or skip interviews out of concern
End result: No job, no progress, no cash
2. Health Objectives
Plan: Purchase gear, get a coach
Miss: Don’t go persistently
End result: No transformation
3. Beginning a Enterprise
Plan: Construct a website, safe funding
Miss: By no means launch
End result: No clients, no income, no breaking from from a job you dislike
4. Writing a Guide
Plan: Draft 90%, revise
Miss: By no means attain out to brokers, by no means get printed
End result: Zero readers, zero affect
5. Investing
Plan: Do analysis, perceive the dangers and rewards
Miss: By no means make investments
End result: Cash stays idle, slowing lagging behind inflation as your friends get richer
6. Training
Plan: Cross exams, attend class once you’re not hungover
Miss: Solely attend for 3 years and drop out to start out a band
End result: No diploma and $60,000 of scholar mortgage debt
7. Relationships
Plan: Got here up with a witty opening line to succeed in out
Miss: By no means name, meet up, or ship the message
End result: Missed connection, no pleasure, no love, no youngsters, solely extra loneliness
8. Monetary Planning
Plan: Create technique, rent a monetary skilled, or reap the benefits of my promotion
Miss: Don’t implement
End result: Nice plan, no outcomes, and being stuffed with remorse once you’re 65
The End Line Is The place the Magic Occurs
Everyone knows individuals who begin with unimaginable vitality however by no means observe by way of. I’ve been responsible of that extra instances than I’d wish to admit. However right here’s the reality: the actual worth, the expansion, the reward—all of it lives within the final mile.
Whether or not you are constructing a enterprise, planning for retirement, or just attempting to maintain your guarantees: end the final mile. The world rewards follow-through.
Readers, are there belongings you’ve began however didn’t full that essential final mile? If that’s the case, what held you again?
Generally, not ending is an indication it’s time to maneuver on—and quitting can truly be the smarter alternative if progress has stalled. Do you will have any examples the place strolling away turned out to be the higher resolution?
A realization after the very fact: After a 10-minute sit-down with my spouse on the eating desk, she helped me notice a few issues. First, the potential shopper I forgot to ship the invite to had by no means truly ordered the 55 books—which is big! That made me really feel loads much less unhealthy about forgetting to ship the calendar invite. Second, the potential shopper may have adopted up too after a number of days. Communication goes each methods.
Order A Copy Of Millionaire Milestones In the present day
Large because of everybody who’s pre-ordered a tough copy of Millionaire Milestones: Easy Steps to Seven Figures up to now. From what I see, Amazon at the moment affords one of the best worth with a lowest worth assure.
This guide is my try at writing a modern-day model of the basic The Millionaire Subsequent Door. Instances have modified, and so have the numerous other ways to attain millionaire standing.
Sadly, because of inflation, $3+ million is changing into the brand new $1 million—and by the tip of this decade, $5 million may take that title. With out correct saving, investing, and calculated risk-taking, constructing outsized wealth is just getting tougher.
Fortunate for us, we’ve got the data and sources to outperform. I wrote this guide that will help you obtain monetary independence sooner, so you’ll be able to reside life in your phrases. I hope you benefit from the learn!
