The importance of finishing

Is your life made up of a bunch of unfinished projects and tasks?  

It is said that sometimes it's really hard to start a job, but some other times, it is even harder to finish it.

In my case actually, either I tend to procrastinate certain tasks until I have no choice but doing them, or I happily tend to get involved in many many things, jumping from one project to another, starting many of them, but leaving most of them incomplete. 

Image: telegraph.co.uk

Say for example, the last project I wrote about "The makeup drawer makeover challenge".  It took me almost a whole month to finish sorting what was left (what didn't belong to that category) and to definately getting rid of all the things I didn't need!  Also this blog is a great example: I started it very enthusiastically, wrote some posts during the first months and then I abandoned it for a long time. 

Of course I know I'm not alone and that this is very common in our human nature, otherwise the world would be full of perfect people, who'd accomplish their New Year's resolutions every year, highly cultivated for all the books they finish reading, fit and in shape because they'd never quit the gym and almost holy, because  their faith and prayers would never fail nor cease.  

With this of course, I am not trying to justify myself or to conform by any mean,  I only want to say that we have to acknowledge the fact that our nature is weak and we tend to give in to ease and confort; and the  reason why we don't follow through and finish many tasks, most of the time, is that it takes effort to do it.  

So that being said, let's get to talk about some possible strategies to cope with this issue.  Many of them I have already proven them, some have worked for me, some haven't worked yet that well (let's say I haven't tried enough). 

1.  Don't over-commit. Think of the "cost" of each project before you say yes:  If you are very impulsive and active, you will probably find yourself getting involved in so many things that you can even have account for. It's fun and gratifying to participate in a variety of activities, but at the end of the day, you will start feeling overwhelmed and your level of performance in certain areas of your life (sometimes the most important, like family or your own health)  will probably decrease. 

In order to deal with this, I recommend you that before you say yes to a new project, just say "maybe" or "I'll think about it" and really think about all the current projects or activities you are already involved in.  Wait until you finish them in order to take on a new one, or in case you are truly interested in the new offer, see how you can delegate one of the existing (or if it's not important at all, just cancel it) The point is not to eat more than you can really chew.

Image: forbes.com

I know this sounds basic, but it's soo hard to do it , especially if you tend to be impulsive and get super excited about new activities and opportunities.  

2.  "Tie the loop" or "sprint to the finish line" - In other words, make sure that you finish whatever you start. 

I love to read many organizing books and articles, and in one of them- unfortunately I can't recall the name - it mentioned that any project or activity (big or small) has to be thought of as a loop, and so we have to close them (or tie them). ALWAYS.  

For example: When doing the laundry, don't think only about putting the load on the washing machine, but also about taking it out, putting it in the dryer, taking  it out of it, folding it and putting it away.. and until then, you can consier that the loop (of laundry) was closed.  When doing the dishes: the loop will be closed until you clean them and put them away. Another final example: when organizing or decluttering your home, the process (loop) won't be finished until you get rid of the trash or donations (or else it will be cluttering another part of your house and the items could remain there forever waiting for the "perfect" moment to be delivered or disposed of)  

Let's talk about the "Sprint to the finish line": It's a quote that I  found in the book  "ADHD friendly ways to organize your life". I love it and  it helps me a lot, because it basically means that we have to think of the tasks we have to do as small sprints in which we have to focus and do our best to get to the finish line (as in a race) to accomplish that task

Image: stack.com

Very related to this, is the famous "one-minute rule" (well, there are many versions like two-minute rule or three-minute rule),  but the main point is that, whenever a task  can be done within that time, then it has to be done right away (and  by done, it means to be started and finished)

So go on and Tie that loop!  Sprint to the finish line!! 

3. Set due-dates + Divide and conquer.     The last strategies are really good for small tasks or simple projects, but what about long and complex projects?Just set due-dates!  

Even when a project, whether personal or professional, doesn't seem to be urgent, always try to set specific dates to have it finished by that time.   Many professional projects will have set their own due-dates, but even there, you can always set prior due-dates for yourself, to use them as a backlog in case of any eventuality. 

And also, as we have said, if these projects are too complex,  the best way to deal with them is to divide them into small tasks, set due-dates for each of those tasks, and again, sprint to the finish line!! 

Also, related to this, you can set specific days for specific tasks (eg: monday for  bill paying, tuesday and thursday for laundry and ironing, wednesay for errands, etc), and a firm rule of getting those tasks done on those days. 

4. Set a timer -  I personally love this strategy, and use it most of the time, especially on those moments when I feel very distracted by the smallest stimuli (or by my own rumble of thoughts within my mind), or when I need to be ready for leaving home.  

I normally use the timer of my phone, tablet or computer (depending on what activity I am about to do), and I set it for 10 to 15 mintes (that is my regular focus span) and then I do my best to "Sprint to the finish line" for that period of time.  If the task is not done by that time, I set it for other 10-15 minutes.  

The purspose of this, is to have more focus and control of your time (say you get distracted, then the alarm will go off at minute 10 and that will help you as a reminder to go back to work, instead of getting completly off track) so ultimately you make sure the task gets done within a certain period of time.

5. Don't give up.  - Ok, this one looks as a kind of basic and obvious one too, but it's actually really important!  As I've said before, finishing tasks and projects take effort and discipline, and as human beings,  we have good days and bad days, we will fail, we will probably go back to acting as slobs from time to time and we'll feel discouraged.  So with that in mind, don't lose hope and keep trying. Just get yourself back up. The more we try the  better results we will have, and the more (and the better) we will be able to accomplish. Not maybe  in one single shot, but probaby after a while.  

6. Offer it to God.  Last but not least. I know this could only apply if you believe in God, and I am also aware this tip is very private and personal , but since the goal of this blog is sharing our personal experience and thoughts, with all my respect and love I will share it with you because sometimes it is what I find the most useful (even I do too fail in this issue many times) 

As people who believe in God and Christ (I'm Catholic) we believe that any activity we are involved in, any struggle we encounter in our lives (small or big) is of great importance before God, and that these struggles and activities can contribute to three things:  our own salvation, to glorify Him here on earth, and to other people's good (as a way of prayer, God can use our effort and struggles as ways to assist them or provide them in their needs)  

Image: gracebelen.blogspot.com

 So everytime you struggle with getting something done, just hand it over to The Lord and have for sure that it will be of great benefit and relieve for you and others (although you don't notice it straight away) 

And that seems to be all folks!!  :)

 I'd  love to hear from you!!  What do you think about these strategies? Have you tried them before? If not,  I dare you to try them, and tell us how they worked :) Also, don't hesitate to tell us about other things you've tried  and are working well for you! 

See you on a next post, take care!! 

Alorsie