How to Finish Anything

Do you have a project that you’ve been working on for a long time, but seem to be stuck on? It’s been on your to do list for years, but you haven’t made any progress lately?

Here’s the secret: do at least a little bit every day. One day you can outline the things that need to be done on the project in small steps and each day carve out at least 5 minutes, ideally 20, and work only on that project you’ve been meaning to finish.

You don’t have to commit to working on it until it’s finished, although that is a nice way to finish it. I do find that a short term commitment to work on the project everyday for a week is a good way to make some headway.

What are you not actively working on? What’s been on the back burner that you’d like to slide off your plate? Tackle that project with a streak: doing at least a few minutes every day until you’ve made some progress. Perhaps the progress will inspire you to not break the streak or maybe it’s time to abandon the project and work on something else. I found it radical when my assistant suggested I complete a project by saying I wasn’t going to work on it anymore, and instead I worked on it most every day until it was finished. Finish it or put it in an I’m not working on this pile and see how important it is to you.