Do you often struggle to finish the projects you start, even when you have every intention of finishing them? Are you currently struggling with a specific project (or ten) in your life that you can’t seem to finish? Let me guess, do you have more than a few household tasks on your to-do list?
Don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Many people struggle to follow through on their tasks. Believe it or not, this is a common problem that most people face. As we look into the very near future, we probably want to start setting goals for next year. Luckily, you can follow a few steps to ensure that you can become the type of person who finishes a project once you start it.
1. To finish what you start, Make A Plan
First and foremost, the number one way to finish everything you start is by making a plan before you start. It needs to be a plan which you write down. A mental note isn’t worth the piece of paper it is written on. You may want to jump in and start something in your excitement, but you might not realize all the work and challenges you will face.
When you take the time to make a plan, this will better prepare you for the task at hand, and you’ll be able to spot problems much more easily. A well-thought-out plan ensures you will be aware of the work your project requires and have an idea of how you will proceed. It is also a good time to break the project into smaller chunks to make it easier to conquer. Don’t forget to take some time to brainstorm potential problems you may encounter along the way.
2. To stay on track, Take A Break
If you find yourself getting overly frustrated or beginning to loathe the project because you’ve been working on it for so long, it’s okay to take a short break. This break will help reset your mind and focus. Get hydrated, move around, find some time to take in the present world around you. You might even be able to solve some of the problems you are facing while you take this little breather. Just make sure that when you set an endpoint to your break, this way you can hold yourself to it and not just abandon the project.
3. To make it more achievable, Make Small Goals and Track Your Progress
As you plan how you will conquer your task or project, break your goal into smaller mini-goals. Then, cross them off and reward yourself as you complete them. It will help keep you on task, and you’ll be able to feel as if you are making progress, even if it’s small. This progress will do wonders to keep your spirits high while working on the project. The little rewards you are giving yourself will probably help too.
Many projects remain unfinished because they are long, and you lose sight of the end goal somewhere in the middle. To maintain motivation, you need to track your progress on the goal as you go. You may even want to consider rewarding yourself for a job well done at certain points to maintain your motivation.
4. To stay focused, Identify Your Distractions
Maybe you’re finding every reason under the sun not to work on your project. It’s time to identify these distractions and how they may be affecting you. If the distraction is easily removed, remove it. If it’s more of a mental distraction, it may be time to look into something like meditation to help you clear your mind. Whatever your distractions are, it’s time to identify and eliminate them so you can focus on your goal.
5. To stay motivated, Visualize The End
Even if you are tracking your project, you may find that you’ve lost sight of your end goal. This is why you should frequently spend time visualizing your end goal in your mind. It will help you remember why you are working on your goal in the first place.
Finishing what you start is never easy. So next time you get excited about a new project or goal in your life, slow down a bit and make a plan, complete with smaller goals and rewards for yourself. Then, as you pursue the project, don’t be afraid to take small breaks if you need to recuperate. Chances are, thanks to these steps, you will be much more likely to finish your new goal than leave it abandoned.
BONUS –> The Top 3 Reasons You Don’t Finish What You Start
Do you feel as if you are constantly leaving a trail of half-finished projects in your wake? Are you the type of person who has one project in particular that you’ve always wanted to finish but just haven’t gotten around to it? If that sounds familiar, keep reading to find the top three reasons you tend not to finish what you’ve started.
1. You’ve Lost Motivation
When you started the project, your enthusiasm for starting something new first motivated you. However, if you haven’t seen any results in some time, this may have caused your motivation to lower. The best way to combat this loss of motivation is by breaking your project down into more manageable pieces and rewarding yourself along the way for steps well done. Conquering these more manageable pieces will help keep you motivated even when the project is long.
2. Negative Thoughts About The Project
Another reason you may find it difficult to complete a task is because of the way you think about the project. When it comes to mind, do you think you will never finish it? Or is your mind filled with thoughts of how hard the project is? Both are negative paths of thinking, and they will keep you from finishing the project. Instead, it’s time to transform your thinking to be positive regarding the project you are trying to complete. A more positive outlook will give you new energy and motivation to complete the task.
3. Lack Of Discipline
Another reason people can’t finish the projects they start is a lack of self-discipline. A person with self-discipline doesn’t give up when the going gets tough. They also tend to avoid procrastinating or slacking off. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s probably time that you work to cultivate self-discipline in your life. Boosting your self-discipline will ensure you can start finishing all the projects you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to finish what you start?
It is the sense of accomplishment when it’s done! Your cross stitch project is ready for the holidays in time; you finished the book club novel just in time; your closet has so much empty space in it.
What happens if you need to change the plan?
That is OKAY! Projects are fluid and evolving, especially large ones. I don’t know how often I’ve redesigned my fall vegetable garden and I’m okay with that. I will still end up with delicious lettuce and piles of cucumbers even if the cucumbers are in a pot instead of my raised bed.
What if you decide not to finish what you start?
Realistically, there are numerous reasons that this is actually valid. Maybe the project is no longer relevant; maybe it ended up requiring more resources that you realized; or maybe it didn’t turn out to be the project you had in mind. If the scope has changed drastically, then maybe change your perspective on the project — look at it like adapting with the project instead of giving up on the project.