It's Easier to Finish What You Start Than You Think

“Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~ Francis of Assisi

Our society is so goal-oriented that any unfinished task feels like a source of distress and shame. We tend to either avoid thinking about our incomplete projects, or, we feel tremendous guilt over them. Somehow, the option to allow it to lie there peacefully unattended doesn’t seem to be an option.

There is a rush of excitement and the allure of success when we first begin writing a manuscript, or taking singing lessons, or training for a marathon. However, the loftier the goals, the harder the work, and the greater the commitment.

Sometimes, the amount of work involved in a big undertaking backfires into a standstill. The fantasies we have of success turn into the nitpicking voice of perfectionism. The promise of realization suddenly seems very far away, and we feel lazy or discouraged when we think about how much we could have done if only we’d known how to continue.
More than anything, we all want to avoid being the kind of person who flakes out on an endeavor. Give yourself some time to analyze your approach to a mission. If you take the time to see the broadest picture possible, you’ll have more realistic goals about achievement and then, you’ll more easily accomplish exactly what you set out to do:

1. Do your research. There will be some challenges. Learn how other people have faced them when trying to obtain the same results. You will want to be realistic about your working style and your abilities, so that you don’t get discouraged. Plan for the slow times. What will you do when you become challenged?

2. You have a pattern. Look for when you start, when you stop, and why you decide to stop. These are all crucial pieces of information, so look at a few other times you’ve come to a halt on a project, and try to plan for those plateaus. Don’t judge yourself; just make plans to combat your weaknesses. Remember that negativity is your enemy!

3. Base your timeline in reality. The old adage that good things take time is an unavoidable truth. Whittle your goal down into small steps you work on consistently. Write for three hours, run for seven miles, draw a first draft –whatever the task, be smart by making your timeline deceptively achievable, and ignore your ego’s pushes to do more.

4. Be honest about your incentive. If your motivation does not come from within, then when your work gets difficult, it will be easier to give up. You want to know in your heart that you are passionate about the results, and willing to commit to the work. Having an accountability partner can also help you to stay on track.

We spend a finite time on this earth, and we have a million brilliant ideas to carry out. It would be impossible to accomplish them all. This is why the idea of infinity should provide some consolation. Do yourself a favor and take a realistic look at your goals, so that the next time you begin something, it comes to fruition in a flourish of stunning results.