Unfinished Projects

Today I want to talk about unfinished projects. While this blog is directed at writing projects, it can be applied to projects ranging from crafts to home improvement.. With three unfinished manuscripts, half a dozen unfinished short stories, and a pile of notes on projects in the development stage, I’m an expert on unfinished projects!

The first step is to identify why you don’t finish your projects. Once you identify the why, you can tackle the how. The final step is to actually complete the work. In this post I will talk about the three barriers that prevent me from finishing a project: distraction, boredom, and fear.

Distraction

In a perfect world, writers would sit down at the same time every day, approach their work in a focused manner, and complete every project they start. The reality looks quite different. I sit down to write with the best of intensions. Then . . .

The phone rings.

I’m compelled to look up a word to make sure I’m using it correctly.

I meander through the internet doing “research” on my topic.

I have to check the news.

Or Facebook.

Now I have to check my email.

And texts.

Oh, and the Group Me app that tells me if my buddies are playing pickleball today.

And before you know it, an hour or two have slipped away and my project is no closer to completion.

Boredom

After working on a project for an extended period of time, (due in part to multiple distractions, no doubt), I sometimes become bored. Rehashing the same material dulls the senses, extinguishing any glimmer of creativity. When the creative spark is gone, unfinished projects languish in the to do pile.

Fear

By far, my biggest obstacle to completing projects is fear. What if it’s not good enough? What if I’ve been wasting my time? What if I make a fool of myself? What if, what if, what if? Here’s the thing. If writing soothes your soul, it brings you joy, or you just like playing with words, it’s not a waste of time. Maybe your writing today isn’t publication ready. That doesn’t mean it’s not good enough. It just means you have some editing and revision ahead of you. As for making a fool of yourself, as long as you exude confidence—real or imagined—people will respect you for following your passion.

Unfinished Projects

 So, now that I’ve identified my barriers, it’s time to knock them down. Google turn off distractions or try these links: avoid distractions and writer monkey.

If you’ve become bored with your material, maybe it’s time to rekindle that creative spark. Approach the material from a different angle or try changing where you write. Middle grade author Rosanne Parry writes in her backyard treehouse. That will change your perspective!

 It’s important to understand your own tolerance of fear and act accordingly. If you can swallow your fear, and just move forward to complete your project or submit your manuscript, great. If not, you have to find what works for you.