Do you have a lot of unfinished projects lying around whether that’s business or personal? Maybe you started a new business concept but didn’t take the steps to execute it. Or maybe you started learning a new skill but gave up half ways through. There are many reasons why people don't finish what they start, whether that’s procrastination or lack of motivation. Mostly it can be linked back to them not having themselves set up for success by having a long term vision and a plan for finishing what they started.

So how do you achieve your goals, and finish what you start? Here’s some things to consider.

Be selective with what you embark on

The first step to finishing what you start is to be selective in what you embark on. The more selective you are with your time and what it is that you are pursuing, the greater the chance for you to keep your vision and stay motivated! Trying to do too many things at once will only lead to frustration and a feeling of overwhelm. Be choosy about your projects and focus on the ones that are most important to you.

Estimate the resources that you need

The second step is to estimate the resources that you need to finish your project. This includes time, money, and energy. If you don't have a clear idea of how much time you will need to finish something, the more difficult it may be to make a plan for execution and stick to it. Break down your project into smaller tasks and estimate how long each task will take you. The clearer the timeline the easier it will be for you to follow through.

Budget your time and energy accordingly

Burnout and overwhelm can be real and it’s important to budget your time and energy accordingly. This means setting aside specific times for working on your project and making sure that you have the energy to do so. For example, if you know you only have an hour to work on your project each day, don't try to do two hours' worth of work in that one hour. You'll only end up feeling rushed and stressed. Make a realistic plan that you can stick to and that won’t overwhelm you!

Quit being a perfectionist

One of the main reasons people don't finish what they start is because they're trying to do everything perfect. They want everything to be just right before they move on to the next task on their list. This can be a recipe for never finishing anything! You have to learn to let go of perfectionism and embrace progress. A finished project is better than a perfect one that's never finished!

Commit to it and hold yourself accountable

It's important to commit to your project and hold yourself accountable. This means committing to yourself and perhaps even others that you will see this project through to the end. It also means being willing to accept responsibility if you don't finish it. If you want to achieve your goal, you have to be willing to put in the work and hold yourself accountable.

When you lose momentum connect to your end vision

If you find yourself losing momentum, connect back to your end vision. What is your goal? Why did you start this project in the first place? Keeping the end goal in mind will help you push through when things get tough.

Track your progress

Make sure to track your progress. This will help you stay on track and motivated. Seeing your progress will remind you of how far you've come and how close you are to achieving your goals.

Celebrate how much you have accomplished so far

Don't forget to celebrate how much you have accomplished and how far you have come! It's easy to focus on what still needs to be done, but it's important to take a step back and appreciate your progress. Congratulate and treat yourself often!

Follow the path that brings you the most joy

Finally, follow the path that brings you the most joy. This doesn't mean that everything will be easy, but it does mean that you'll be more likely to stick with it if you're enjoying the process. If you're not enjoying what you're doing, ask yourself if there's a different way to do it. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in perspective to find joy in what you're doing.

Remember:

be selective,
estimate your resources,
budget your time and energy,
quit being a perfectionist,
commit to it and hold yourself accountable,
connect back to your end vision,
track your progress, celebrate your accomplishments,
and follow the path that brings you the most joy.

Finish What You Start: How to Achieve Your Goals