Ending Well

And there is so much else to think about as things start and so many possibilities as to where things might lead. Some might even see it as hubris or arrogance to think that you might be able to exercise that much control.Still, for some projects or enterprises, an endpoint somewhere in the near future becomes clear. It obviously isn’t the end of the world, but it can feel like one. At the Agathe Center for Entrepreneurship, we’re generally on the front end of the journey with most entrepreneurs we work with, but every so often, we find ourselves working with someone looking to end rather than start. They are with us asking some important questions and seeking guidance in applying their answers.Some of their questions:

• How do I responsibly and wisely wind down and end?
• What if there are commitments, even if only implied, that it will appear I am not keeping?
• How do I deal with feelings of failure given the project didn’t fully meet all its goals and fully fulfill its mission?
• How can I best be assured of carrying forward all the lessons learned into what’s next?

Sometimes, choosing to end something you’ve poured heart and soul, blood, sweat, and tears into is exceptionally difficult. It can take courage and humility, especially if you want to do it well. It’s a privilege to journey with people who have that desire. And sometimes a little humor helps. It is already morning in Australia. What’s next may be beginning with the light of the next morning’s sun.