Stop Starting and Start Finishing

A couple of weeks ago hubby and I attended a workshop titled "Agile Software Development Methodology and Project Management" {or something real close to that}.  Good date night activity, right?

Hubby is a Corporate Project Manager and in my previous {corporate} life I lead a software / technology project or two, so I tag along to professional development workshops. Besides, I can be really geeky and I love a good lecture even if I don't previously know anything about the topic.

I'm not certain if David regrets or rejoices my attendance at this particular workshop because since that night my mantra has been ...

"Stop starting, and start finishing, to get more done."

{Beaver says he's going to finish his nap while I'm ranting on my soapbox}

One more time, slowly and with feeling: "Stop starting, and start finishing, to get more done."

I've internalized this principle as:

If you're working on a lot of different things, and finishing nothing, what are you getting done?  

Where's your sense of accomplishment?  

Where's the renewal of energy that comes with completing something that you need to get a real good start on the next project?

So they must have secret cameras in our house because they have my number dead on.  I've always been a real good starter and an eventual finisher on home projects.

Mine isn't a lack of motivation or "stick to it-ness" but rather a problem solving technique: I hit a snag / road block / impossible situation and I walk away to think of a new approach rather than just working harder and hoping to "break through".  In the meantime I'll start another new project ... or two ... or ten ... it all depends on how long it takes my muse to speak and tell me how to solve the issue on the previous {previous} {previous} project.

And then I realize I have compounded this problem by how I've defined my project: put the house back together.  Thinking this way, I don't recognize that I'm starting something new because I think everything I do is a way to finish / complete my goal.  So painting a room while rearranging furniture in another room while shopping for curtains for yet another room while redo'ing the laundry room while trying to decorating the dining area, well heck, I'm not starting multiple projects I'm just trying to finish one!  OK, those pillows I want to sew, I'm willing to admit that's a new and separate project.

So yesterday I finished arranging the bookshelves.  Gosh, that felt great to say.

And the day before I finished painting the walls in that same room.  I'm feeling empowered.

I have two more tasks {one rather large} in that room and it will be finished :) ! yay

I hope you'll play along with me on this finishing game.  I'd really love when you finish a project you've been struggling with if you'd leave me a note with a link to your project ... I think finishing begets finishing, and if I see that you can do it, then it will reinforce that I can too.

But for now, how about sharing any projects you have underway and soooo wish were finished already!  If you've hit a snag or just need a little "you go girl / guy" encouragement, maybe we can help!

And here's a peak at the beachy vibe I'm working on ....

We can get it done :)

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