We are so used to instant gratification, that many people never learn the skill to finish what you start. Maybe it’s finishing that book you started reading or completing the DIY project that’s been gathering dust in the garage for 3 years, or finally clearing out the basement.
When we talk about finishing what you start, we tend to think about only the big things or projects. However, chances are that you if are someone who doesn’t finish the big projects you start, that it flows over into the smaller things too, like replacing that lightbulb or packing away last week’s laundry.
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Usually, people are very enthusiastic to start something new. They have lots of great ideas, but then life happens, and then they slowly start losing motivation and interest.
- You get all excited about your new project
- There are lots of things to think about, research, buy, build or change and this keeps you in motion.
- Then once the foundation is in place, the upkeep comes.
How finishing the things you start benefits you
Here’s the problem though – not finishing things keeps you stuck. Almost like being in a dream where your legs don’t want to move when you try and run away. Not finishing what you start keeps you energetically immobilized in the same way.
Developing this habit of finishing what you start has a few benefits.
- You feel satisfied and have a sense of accomplishment
- Your brain builds success neural pathways, making it easier for you to finish more of the things that you start, more often
- You become more internally motivated, no longer relying on outside events to influence you.
Reasons why you don’t finish things or procrastinate
These 3 points can contribute to why we end up procrastinating or giving up:
- Staying in your comfort zone is the path of least resistance. There is no need to train your body or brain to think or feel differently.
- We compare ourselves to others who have more experience and come out feeling second best.
- We are overly self-critical and our perfectionism makes us afraid that others will judge us too.
How to make sure you finish what you start
Decide on your goal. What do you want to finish, or see through? And the second part to this – how will it make you feel when you have accomplished this? How will your life be different?
Break the goals into smaller parts. When you see that you are losing interest, set a new goal within your overarching goal to keep you motivated to finish.
The key is to learn how to manage projects without feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of it.
Remind yourself WHY you have this goal, and HOW it will make you feel when you achieve it.
Now, I want to hear from you! How will your life change when you no longer procrastinate but when you finish all those things you start? Is there anything that you will finally finish now?
Learning to finish the things that you start is a habit that anyone can learn. Share this with someone you know who struggles to finish things and help make a difference in their lives!
With love,
