Sure, we've all done it:start something new, leave it and never finish it. There's nothing wrong with that, unless it's a frequent pattern. Think about the guitar lessons you started and stopped, the book you planned to write but didn't work on for months or years. Or the blog you started and on which you sincerely hoped to post regularly. Successfully completing a project requires good planning and conscious action. If you've ever started anything, you know that each goal/project comes with its own set of challenges that are not visible when you first start. Here are some tips on how to finish things you start.
1. Be selective in what you start
When you start something, make sure it's something you're passionate about. Otherwise it will be a waste of time and you could have used your time and resources better for something else. If you set the bar too high for what you want to do, the completion rate will also be higher. If you're not sure if this is something you really want to do – try it on a small scale and see if it's what you're interested in.
2. Think about what you need
Make a plan about how much time and effort this idea will take so that you have an overview. It doesn't have to be extensive. Only a short summary helps. The point is to have something to guide you.
3. Budget your time and energy
After you have created your outline, you should have a realistic idea of how much time and effort you will need to complete it. Plan your time and resources accordingly and integrate them into your schedule/task list. Also, give yourself some buffer, in case of unforeseen circumstances. A big reason for loss of enthusiasm or energy is when people overestimate the amount of work required to bring the goal to life.
4. Stop being a perfectionist
How many of us keep putting off work because we want to get it just right? Perfectionism can be good, but if your desire for perfectionism prevents you from getting things done, then it's good to challenge it. Try this:First, break the task down into many small steps, then focus on one part at a time. Second, give yourself permission to make a draft. This means there is no need to get it right the first time. Making a concept, even if it's a crappy one, is better than if you didn't do anything at all.
5. Dedicate yourself to it
Once you start, you have to commit to it. Whatever you have planned, do it. Give yourself the opportunity to leave something for what it is if it really isn't in line with your vision, but otherwise keep your word.
6. Connect with your end goal
You may have experienced this. When you start a new project, you are full of energy and enthusiasm. Later, this energy fades little by little. You're still excited about the overall project, but you're not that impressed with the small tasks that make up the job. But all this little work is part of what ultimately leads to your beautiful vision. Every little bit of what you do now counts towards realizing that final vision. It's just to lose sight of that, because you've gotten caught up in your day-to-day life. Surround yourself with anything that reminds you of your end goal, such as your vision board, photos of others who have reached the same goal, and objects that represent the goal.
7. Follow the path that gives you the most pleasure
The easiest and most effortless ways to complete projects is to be flexible in your approach. For example, most people will complete the tasks in their to-do list in the correct order. First task 1, followed by task 2, then task 3, etc. Sounds simple and easy, doesn't it? This is not always the most effective method. For example, some days you might put off doing something because you feel like you're doing task 3 instead of task 1. If you give yourself a little more flexibility about what to do, working on the project becomes a great adventure. You do what makes you happiest at that moment. When you do this, you automatically become productive at work.
8. Track your progress
Tracking your progress can help you better understand how you're doing and have a goal to reach. This makes it easier to keep up with the moment. Create a schedule where you record your goals and your current status. Then check your progress every week. What percentage of your end goal have you reached? Is it on schedule? What is your goal for the next week? This makes you responsible for your goal and helps you stay on track.
9. Celebrate what you've done so far
Sometimes we get discouraged by all the things that need to be done. It seems that no matter how much time we spend, it's impossible to finish it. The amount of work overwhelms us. Everything you've done so far has been an achievement! Give yourself a pat on the back. Celebrate the process, the rest, the doing, the completion, everything. When you're done, continue what you were doing.
10. Don't force it if it really doesn't work
Sometimes it just happens that you lose interest in the target, and it's normal. We change, our interests change and we get new ideas and inspiration all the time.
It may seem like a big waste of everything you've done, but it's not a big deal. You are able to achieve much more than you think. Give yourself the permission to let it go if it doesn't work out, and you may find many new things right away to get you started.
