Do you complete what you start?
Many people start many projects and then complete some while leaving many incomplete. Some use the strategy of shooting in the dark with the hope that some arrows will reach the target. While this strategy may work if you have much energy to spare, a more focused, precise and accurate approach will be bull’s eye through time.
It is fine to stop doing something we don’t believe will work. However, if left unfinished, there is nothing we can look back to evaluate to improve. But what if this pattern happens over and over again? For example, let’s say you start a project. Midway, you realize it’s not what you expected and you stop it altogether. You start a second project and leave it hanging and then a third, fourth and fifth. Why is this technique inefficient and leading nowhere?
While working with clients and patients, I look into potential patterns that could be negatively impacting their success. This negative pattern prevents success by not allowing you to learn and improve after failed experiences.
When we are able to complete a task we are training ourselves - that is our minds, our efforts, our successes - to fully understand the process from the beginning to the end. In addition, we are also able to then judge the quality of the end product, whether we want to further pursue the whole project or whether the project will need a lot of work prior to going onto its next phase.
These are some helpful tips to help you complete your projects:
1. Design the project in your mind before getting started. This may include creating an outline of the project from the beginning to the end, mind mapping it in one sheet or summarizing it even before getting started.
2. So, you are the creative type and create as you go? While some artists will take this approach, many others hear the music before writing it, see their pictures before drawing them on canvas, create story before writing it, or construct monumental buildings in their minds before laying any brick on the ground.
3. Once you have a clear idea in mind, look at the pros and cons of your project, anticipating opportunities or challenges again, before you get started.
4. Break down the project in its entirety into different chapters, scenes, stories or whatever units are necessary. This will further give you a better idea of everything you need.
5. Now you are ready to start, follow through and complete your project. If you anticipated both challenges and opportunities well, you will hopefully succeed juggling unexpected difficulties as you go.
6. Avoid shifting gears mid project and try to stick to your original plan unless some unexpected factors play into the successful completion of your project.
7. Evaluate each project and list your lessons learned from each experience. This is the best way to build on experience and be ready for the next challenge.
