“Stop Starting and Start Finishing” in Work and Life

Have you ever heard of the saying, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”? This phrase perfectly captures the idea behind the discipline of “Stop Starting and Start Finishing”. The idea is that we tend to start many things but fail to follow through and finish them. This leads to a lot of unfinished work and unfulfilled promises, which can create a feeling of frustration and defeat. Personally, I’ve experienced this a lot in my life – especially when it comes to my creative work. It’s a big reason why I created this blog.

The term “Stop Starting and Start Finishing,” which is often used in software development circles, was popularized by Brian Tracy, a renowned motivational speaker and productivity expert. He stresses the importance of focusing on completing tasks, rather than just starting them. According to Tracy, one of the biggest reasons why people don’t finish what they start is due to lack of focus and discipline.

This discipline can be applied both at work and in life, and can help in several ways:

1. Increased Productivity: By focusing on finishing tasks, you can increase your overall productivity. You will be able to see the results of your work and be motivated to continue. This is in contrast to starting several tasks and never seeing them through, which can lead to burnout and decreased motivation.
2. Better Time Management: By prioritizing completion over starting, you can better manage your time. You will avoid the trap of starting many tasks and never finishing them, which can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed. Instead, you can focus on completing one task at a time and move on to the next.
3. Improved Focus: Finishing tasks requires focus and discipline. By practicing this discipline, you can improve your overall focus and ability to concentrate. This will not only help you complete tasks more efficiently, but will also help you in other areas of your life.
4. Boosted Confidence: Completing tasks and seeing them through to the end can boost your confidence. You will feel proud of what you have accomplished and be motivated to take on more challenges. This can also lead to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in your personal and professional life.
5. Better Results: When you focus on finishing tasks, you will get better results. You will have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done and be able to work more effectively. This will lead to better outcomes and a sense of satisfaction in your work.

So, how can you apply this discipline in your own life? Here are some tips:

1. Prioritize: Make a list of all the tasks you need to complete and prioritize them. Focus on the most important tasks first and work your way down the list.
2. Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable and realistic goals for each task. This will help you stay focused and motivated to complete the task.
3. Stay Focused: Stay focused on one task at a time. Avoid distractions and prioritize completion over starting.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate your progress and small wins along the way. This will help you stay motivated and focused on completing the task.
5. Hold Yourself Accountable: Hold yourself accountable for completing tasks. Make sure you follow through on your commitments and stay focused on the end goal.

By focusing on completing tasks, you can avoid the trap of starting many tasks and never finishing them. This will help you get better results and lead a more fulfilling life. I am personally dedicating this year to more finishing, and less starting. Why not join me and see where this discipline will take you?