Opinion: Why Practising the Ending Matters More Than the Beginning

Developer and writer Serguey Asael Shinder argues that most people — musicians and professionals alike — neglect how they finish their work. In music, bands typically rehearse the opening bars repeatedly while leaving the ending unrehearsed, resulting in awkward, forgettable conclusions. Shinder draws a parallel to professional work, where final details like project wrap-ups, documentation, or renaming files are often rushed or skipped entirely. He contends that endings are not accidental but deliberate decisions that define how the entire effort is remembered. His central advice is simple: practise the ending, because it is the only part the audience takes with them.