Years ago I had a bad habit of stopping short of finishing a task. For example, instead of walking a few more feet and hanging my bathrobe on the hook in the closet, I draped it over the tub. Folded clothes were set on the dresser instead of in the dresser. And minor mending projects piled up for years.
My reasons for not finishing were different. I would just need my robe again later in the day, so why hang it up? I cleared one area of the house of folded laundry, but just moved it elsewhere. And I intended to do the mending when I had a few projects so I only had to get out the sewing kit once.
All logical reasons to delay completing a task, but my procrastination resulted in a messy house and lots of stress as I rushed to get most things done at deadline. I used to say if it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.
Today I’ve got a devotion running on Encouragement for Today on the subject of finishing what we start. Although I’ve made great gains, it’s still an area I struggle with. But it’s one I work on continually because the consequences of not finishing well are more devastating than a cluttered house.
Although my examples at the beginning of this post were of common household tasks that don’t get finished, the pattern of not finishing well weaves through all areas of life. It’s not just a robe that doesn’t get hung, it’s a degree that doesn’t get finished. Or a new calling that doesn’t get answered. It’s not just mending that piles up, it’s good intentions to reach out to neighbors that aren’t acted upon.
I don’t want a life littered with unfulfilled dreams, wish-I-had’s and regrets. I don’t want to look back and say “I should have (fill in the blank)“! I don’t want to quit an important assignment because it got too hard, or too complicated, or boring.
Finishing well is a habit we can develop. And it’s one some of us must address if we want to be obedient to God’s call on our lives. Hopefully I can share some tips that will help you stay on track. And at the end I’d love to hear from you as well.
Tip 1: Get firm with yourself. I have to tell myself “Finish what you start.” I say it out loud or say it in my head when I find myself wanting to put off a simple task that I can easily do in the moment.
Tip 2: Evaluate the internal reasons why you aren’t finishing a task. As I said, my reasons are varied. But they aren’t usually wise. The more introspective I’ve become the more I can deal with the root of my issues.
Tip 3: Evaluate the external reasons why you aren’t finishing a task. Here’s an example of how I did this. I mentioned mending piled up. Usually it piled up in my laundry room (which is downstairs) where I tend to discover the problems. But my sewing kit is upstairs. So I created a small mending kit and keep it by my washing machine. Now it just takes a few minutes to sew on a button or sew up a loose seam.
Tip 4. Monotask. I’m easily distracted. It’s not due to any attention disorder, I just have a lot going on in my mind. So sometimes I need to simplify what I’m trying to do and rein in my focus on just one task. My daily to-do list only has a few things on it too, otherwise I get overwhelmed. You can read how I manage all my responsibilities with a project management planner.
Tip 5. Do less. All of you who know me well are probably scoffing at this tip. Because my friends and family know I manage a lot of things in my life. However, there is a lot I say no to. In fact, I just stepped down from a committee at church when its time demands exceeded my availability. My agent is waiting patiently for my next book proposal but my time has been consumed with family needs. And I don’t promote myself as a speaker because of those same family needs. I’d rather do a few things with excellence than many things with mediocrity.
Of course, as I mentioned in my devotion, the best model of finishing well is Jesus. So spending time studying His life is really my best tip. Seeking our Father’s will, being obedient and depending on His strength when ours grows weak is better than any time management or productivity book I’ll ever read.
I’d love to hear your thought on finishing well. What works for you? Please click here to leave a comment on my blog. And thanks so much for joining me today.
Grace & Peace,
Glynnis
P.S. Next Monday I’m starting a back-to-school series. For 10 days I’ll have a word of encouragement for moms who are having a tough time sending someone to school (including college moms), a Word from the Bible, and a tip for back-to-school organizing. My friend Karen Ehman (who wrote the “Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized”) will be my special guest for those two Fridays. I hope you’ll come back next Monday and join us.
Your comments on finishing hit home for me, as I’m sure they do for a lot of people. Sometimes life gets so “drugy”, it feels as if all we ever do is one chore after another with nothing that feels worth while. We look around and ask ourselves why. Then Jesus speaks to our heart and reminds us we were put here for a reason. Thank you for writing about this subject, I need the encouragement. God Bless you
Thank you for this. I have about 199 unfinished projects right now — children, home and business! It’s so easy to sit down and lose myself in a good book or do something that’s not a priority just so I don’t have to work on that list. Having a verse to finish what I start? Um, a little convicting! I’ve also looked at your project management planner and I love that idea! I can totally see my calendars, projects — everything arranged in here. Maybe I can even schedule days of the week to work in each genre. The Lord knows I have enough binders to easily get started on that! Thank you again. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Ask and you shall receive. Thank you for being Gods vessel to speak to my spirit.
Instead of “finish what you start,” I’ve been telling myself to “handle it once.” It usually works for me. Thanks for an article that truly speaks to me!!!
Being a school employee, I usually have most of the summer off. At the end of each school year, I compile that ever so overwhelming “TO DO” list. In all reality, if I were to actually accomplish everything on that list, it would take me every last second of my summer. UGH!! This year I had a few house projects, which sadly did not all get completed since many are not “one man” jobs and no one else had them on their list. I think you get the picture. Other things on my list that I am successfully accomplishing and am very proud of are #1 Reading the BIBLE in 90 days. . . today is day 81 and I am on track to finish this as scheduled!!! What an amazing experience this has been for me. I have read it in a year before, but was feeling guilty that I do so many summer reads and have never attempted this, so I made the commitment this year. #2 I am training to run a half marathon. Since the run is not until October, this is an on-going task that I am still hoping to “finish well”. I think the key to successfully completing things is to not make our lists to big and overwhelming and to prioritize those things on the list. . . which ones are most important to you. By doing this, I have still left some things undone, but I am so excited about what I’ve accopmlished that it doesn’t matter. . . I did the most important ones to me!!
Glynnis, thank you so much for this reminder. I started on a HUGE project while studying your book and am still working on it but I got side-tracked with being me. I have no excuse since my plate is fairly empty but I love reading and catching up with all my Facebook friends. Perhaps that needs a little limiting but my bible study gals are there soooo between a rock and a hard place.
I’ll have to pray on that one. I digress, thanks again, God bless and have a wonderful day.
OIh my goodness, is this for me or what? Yes. It is almost always difficult for me to finish projects – these suggestions you made make so much sense and are doable – thank you for sharing them with us!
I loved your post…..and was very encouraged by reading it. Interestingly, as I see myself in these MANY unfinished projects or ‘taking the shortcut’ on some things (like not putting something away), it gives me greater realization that my children are watching this in me too and this is likely the reason they do the same things. I am asking the Lord to help me finish the things I start so that I can encourage them (and walk with them) to finish the things they start. Thank you!
Thank you sooo much for your blog today. It really has spoken to me today as God is working on this very issue with me. Thank you for your tips and th project managent planner. I am making progress on many projects but it is time to look at why I don’t finish them and give it to God to help me. Glyniss -Your insight into organization and Gods plan gives us all hope that we can be organized with a little help.
I am in the midst of a 25 year project and I don’t know when the Lord will say I am done but I pray often to “finish well and with dignity”. I am a caregiver for my elderly mother and she just gave up living 25 years ago when my father died. She came to live with my husband and I and our family. It has been long and grueling at times. I fight feelings of when can my husband and I have our time. I don’t know why the Lord put me in this position but He has and I am trying – trying to “finish well”. Thank you all for letting me share this today and may His greatest blessings be on you all.
Praying right now for you that God will give you the strength and encouragement you and your family need to “finish well and with dignity.” God bless you for caring for your mother. I believe that this is a decision you will not regret in the long term.
My husband and I have been caring for his mother – but from the other direction – we came to live with her – it’s been a challenging, gut-wrenching, yet growing and blessing-filled time! Biggest lessons learned – make boundaries, keep them – you don’t need to feel guilty for that – even Jesus laid down his boundaries and took time for himself in order to fulfill His purpose! Be good to yourself – put God and yourself first and it will amaze you how everything falls into place! Remember, your mom needs Jesus as much as you, and is His child as much as you – remembering that helped me in those trying moments! Laugh at least once a day and pray without ceasing!
Hits home – I am she of the 17 projects. I think delightful tools like Pinterest have increased my project count to about 175. For me, one tool is the discipline of exclusion. The other is just setting the habit of finishing a litle daily task. When someone on a blog said she had timed herself, and found it only took seconds to put away her morning routine items, a lightbulb went off for me, and now you seldom walk into my bathroom and see hairdryer, brushes, hairspray, or makeup out on the counter. I can clear them into their storage places, including the ones that are stored outside the bathroom, in less than 30 seconds.
Thanks this today, Glynnis! Reading your P31 post and your blog were like looking in a mirror. Starting, but not finishing — That’s me all over.
I am just reading this today as well as your post on Encouragement…I am feeling so overwhelmed by all the things I have to do – some out of necessity and others because I have volunteered to do them. Thank you for the reminder of looking to Jesus as the model for finishing and prioritizing. I want the Lord to say ‘well done” when He sees me. Please pray for me to focus, fixing my eyes on Him to show me the way.
WOW! I don’t know why I get amazed when God speaks so directly to me. He does it time and time again. This could have been written by me
I am SO like this. As I was getting my kids off to school this morning, my mind was swirling with how I was going to use my day. I knew I needed to walk and pray, and had even thought about taking a day for prayer and fasting up on the mountain to try to seek God for what my priorities were supposed to be and how He wanted me to use this next month. I prayed this same question while on a Mission Trip in July, and came back to have my job stripped away from me. Hmm? Coincidence? I started a blog a little over a year ago, and began trying to write my story of my journey with Thryoid Cancer. I have been struggling with whether or not to continue to invest my time doing this. I am a Physical Therapist and my part time income pays my kids private school tuition. I also have many 1/2 done projects around the house and many requests for ministry at my church which I need to give answers to soon, but am so afraid to commit with everything so up in the air. Thank you for this timely devo today, Glynnis. I guess I know what I need to do today. I would appreciate your prayers as I use this day to seek God for clarity on the work He has for me, and for perseverence to finish!
Thanks again!
Oh, and the verse ,” Do not throw away your confidence…” I used that for a devo with my daughter’s softball team last spring, so to have God ‘throw’ it back at me this morning, was so convicting
Wow this is so me. I have been reading more of these devotions and many I could identify with, but this one is as though I had written this myself. Thanks for letting me know I am not by myself.
So true for what you are saying. With your gentle reminder I need to rethink of my task again! My filing on top of my desk in my study etc .Thanks.
May God help me to identify more of my unfulfilled tasks and let me complete them !
I just said “no”to a ministry commitment yesterday at church and was feeling guilty this morning. Thanks for the reminder to listen to what god wants me to accomplish and not try to please others. This was so convicting as I sit here and look at my page long to do list. I need to be more realistic as well as more disciplined. Thank you for your honesty, Glynnis!
Thanks Glynnis, just last week I began to pray “Lord please allow my committment to exceed my excitement”. I get really excited about doing things but after the excitement wears off, I am left frustrated and wondering why did I agree to that. I am also really praying in the areas of procrastination and distraction.
Again thanks for the article.
Glynnis,
Thank you so much for your devotion this morning on Proverbs 31 Ministries, and for this blog today. This is the first I’ve read your blog and I was so blessed. It was exactly what I needed to begin this week. As tasks pile up in different corners and boxes are still to be unpacked–we have just moved my father’s belonging into our home after his passing–I often give up mid-task for internal and external reasons, left only with the daunting thought of finishing all the leftover tasks. Shoes are scattered across the living room that didn’t quite make it to the closet. Four or five dishes in the sink are left unclean because I just got too tired mid-wash. Laziness. Pure laziness. Thank you for helping me re-focus this morning. I needed this time of reflection on the tasks and your tips for success were incredibly helpful.
God Bless!
Mary – I hear you loud and clear. I have loads of laundry clean, but not folded – dishes in the sink every morning from the night before – shoes littering the living room – blankets tossed where ever the kids were last and a pile of undealt with mail that will soon be as high as the Empire State Building. This post really resonates with me. When I get home from work, I just feel spent. I feel as if I have not one ounce of energy left to give and it’s all I can do to fix dinner. Drive thrus are popular at our house. I need to focus on Jesus – but when? Sounds like “poor me”. I too will re-focus! Blessings to you!
Just wanted to say thanks for your timely post. I wish there was a like button!..
Hope you have a great day!
Wow . . . are we identical twins separated at birth?
Thanks for giving doable ideas for tackling this monster.
Wow! I actually prayed about this very subject this morning! Thank you so much for this devotion because I needed it.
Thanks so much for your devotion and blog this morning..it definitely was God ordained for me. I have a professional sewing business and God is in the mist of elevating HIS business. He reprimanded me real good last week about “finishing well”..planning and organizing. It hurt, but i know He did it to prepare me for the next level. I printed your devotion and blog and plan to frame and hang them to remind me to stay focused. I also will use your project management system to keep track of my projects at work. God knows what we need and when..and im grateful for Him using you to help me. Blessings!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
God is amazing! Thank you for allowing Him to use you. Your expression spoke directly to my heart. I know the pain of the “unfinished” and I see my habit of putting it off being transmitted to my children! Thank you for pointing me back to Jesus who is our help and example in all things!!
I am reading a book called “Is it You, Me, or Adult ADD”.
They told of a woman who all of her life struggled with disorganization and procrastination. She tried for years to change it. She would open her cupboard and see an overwhelming mess and just shut them again. She was diagnosed as adult ADD. Once she got on the right medication, she was able to organize her cupboards easily. It was an issue of her brain not working properly. They said it is like someone getting glasses for the first time.
There are so many things I am learning that I wish I learned 30 years ago.
Praying that all those struggling with ADD get the right help and healing.
Glynnis, I’m copying this and the related devo to share with our First Place 4 Health (biblically-based weight-loss program) group. If our “plate is too full” of responsibilities, it causes stress, which can also cause us to have a dinner plate that’s “too full” as well. I’ve encouraged our group of guys and gals to choose the “best” over the “good” and even the “better”. Jesus did this. Early one day, our Lord was departing to a desert place, and the crowds He had ministered to sought to keep Him with them. He refused, saying “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43).
“He missed a great opportunity!”, we may say. And in our own lives, we quickly assume “open doors” are God-provided, when, in essence, they are time-stealers, getting us off track from “this purpose” (His purpose). And sometimes, I selfishly take on a “service-project” without praying it through because I think it’d bless me, and later see that it stresses instead of blesses due to my being over-committed.
Thanks for your post today. Being a “pure bred” perfectionist as both my parents were, I have a hard time finishing projects when I come to a snag. Something isn’t turning out perfect and I lose interest and put it away. Sometimes, I’m just reluctant to try a new thing because I might not be able to do it “perfect”. Know this is wrong but it’s hard to change……
Thank you for being so honest. I would LOVE if anyone reading this can get me to make my bed in the morning!!! I NEVER make my bed and therefore have never made my kids make theirs. I know this is terrible and shameful and it weighs on me yet it is not enough to get me to do it. And my saying is always I could lock myself in my house for a year and still not finish all my projects! We still have the original painter’s white paint on our walls after 5 1/2 years. My boys start school in 2 days and I am so sad. They are in 3rd & 4th grade. My now 3rd grader struggles so hard. My anxiety is in overtime. Still don’t have a strong enough faith to give it to God. Thanks!
No more guilt, girl! Invest in duvet covers! My saving grace! Just yank ‘em up and smooth before your eyes are even open! Use shams for pillowcases and you have your fancy pillows already! I gave up trying for the “decorator’s bed” and went for simplicity! You’ll feel so ahead of the game! A true blessing!
Thank you Kate!!! Just readying your reply – knowing someone cares – TOTALLY made my day! THANK YOU!
It truly is AMAZING how God works! I am subscribed to receive daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I woke up late this morning so I rushed out the house to get to work. Usually, when I wake up late I say a quick prayer and go about my day but today I arrived to work and felt compelled to drop what I was doing and read today’s devotional “Finish what you start” and WOW! These two pieces couldn’t have been sent to me at a better time! I have been struggling for months to study for the LSAT to fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer. This summer I started a prep class for it and I’ve been having doubts that I am smart enough to pass, that I am disciplined enough to become a lawyer, that I can accomplish something this great. I’ve been fighting with myself and I realized that this is a feeling that is much too familiar. I let my doubts keep me from finishing tasks because It’s easier for me to give up then to take a chance and fail. Bad habit! Reading this has brought my spirits up to keep trying
I know that this will be a process and I’ll have to take it one day at a time but through prayer, I will get there. Thank you so much Glynnis for allowing God to use you to minister to others!
Your blog today was a total confirmation of what the Holy Spirit has been dealing with me about. How can we bring glory to God and know/carry out the calling he has for us if our lives are such a mess! I’ve recently been so overwhelmed at the state of my life and the “unfinished-ness” that so typifies it. Projects unfinished, constant clutter because I don’t put things away. Recently I read,or read most of (of course), The Birth Order Book and found myself described in the discouraged perfectionist section. Your blog, plus what I read in Dr. Leman’s book, are just what I needed to get and keep the ball rolling in my journey to be a finisher, not just a starter, of tasks. Thank you for sharing your journey to encourage those of us who are just getting started. Now to find someone, other than my husband, to hold me accountable!
Well that was like a pinch of reality! I am so anal about everything…yet I do the same “cut corners” stuff. I am grateful for such a post today!
I have struggled with over-committing myself my whole life. Often I would get overwhelmed and felt I needed to “clear my plate” or at least minimize my portion. But it always seemed to get full again. But in December of last year I ” with a heavy heart” released one of my most loved and biggest commitments in order to focus on my two young children, my wedding business! I had become so overwhelmed I could never think straight. At that point I told myself I would do whatever it took to organize my life again. God knows what we need because shortly after I was introduced to you (then your blog) through the Proverbs 31 Ministry! I have been encouraged, learned, and implemented so many things from your blog and other P31 ladies.
I HATE CLUTTER and at the time when I was so overwhelmed I could not always address the issues that drove me crazy! So this year I have taken many steps to organize and de-clutter my home! My latest project was to participate in (for the first time ever) my churches yard sale! So these last two weeks I tackled my kids toys and old wedding inventory. I was able to set aside a truck load of stuff and organize what was left over. I even set aside a bin of my kids toys to rotate in order to minimize clutter in their play area! I am happy to report that this weekend I was able to sell a good portion of stuff, gave some away to The Good Will, and the little that is left I hope to add more for a round 2 de-cutter yard sale!!! It felt so liberating after the sale was over! I followed through!!!! Step by step I am working to Have an Organized Home!
On my list: To get and read your book “I Used To Be So Organized”! I’m gonna DO IT!!
Thank you Glynnis for your encouragement and wisdom!
Blessings, Melissa
I completed a blanket I started over 6 moths ago. I know it’s a physical thing, but I didn’t know why I didn’t want to finish it. I thought about it all day. I’m tired, I just don’t have time weren’t the real reasons. I was scared of failure and the person I am making it for would not like it. I pushed aside the calling God ave me to use my talent to minister to others. I must say now that it is complete, the person’s opinion doesn’t matter as much. I want them to like it and I am sure they will, but following God’ calling was more important. Thanks for this post. I can now look at things a little different.
Glynnis, I along with everyone before me needed your post today. I too, have a severe problem of not finishing projects & I am always fighting against time. You have certainly endouraged me!
Finishing well has to do with proitizing your work. My contribution is like an addition to what you said. When I joined my organisation,I had problems with time , waking up early to get prepared was a problem. I told myself, if others can to do it why won’t I. Today , that decision has really helped me. There was a time in my unit I was doing the work of four persons and in that situation I closes before ever body in the organisation . If you are a banker in Nigeria you will understand what I am saying by posting salaries of more than 1000 people of differnt organisation .I don’t think I have any work undone both at home and in the office
I know all too well about time un-management. I had many addictions in life that kept me from being focused on the right things early in my developmental years, and now as an adult, I am re-learning how to love God and myself and how to take care of myself. I used to say a big “YES” to everybody and everything, because I wanted to please all of the time for fear of rejection and guilt. I know understand more that in God I am valued and loved for who I am, and that is already good enough in Him, and that I do not have to do anything more or special to earn love or respect. Out of this introspection and acceptance of myself, I have started to be able to be a cleaner person, a more aware and focused person, I do things when I say that I will do then, I am more balanced, and I know more when to say “No” to people, projects, places and things. I am definitely not where I would like to be in life, but thank the Good Lord I am not where I used to be!! I am going to Heaven when I die, and I am ever so Grateful about that and the never-ending Love and Grace that God has shown me!!
Thank you for your wonderful story and for letting me share mine,
God Bless and Keep you all,
The same day I read about finishing well, I also read on Roo Mag about making life easier by Darlene Schacht. I found the first point so simple and brilliant.
Pray. Women often waste time over-discussing our problems when going to prayer with them is far more effective.
The best way to finish well is to start the day (and every interaction) off right! Go to the Lord with prayer!
Glynnis, the elder of my two daughters called to tell me about your column today and your project management planner. Great help for those of us who are organizationally and time-management impaired. I told my daughter she needed to share that with her sister and I thanked her for sharing it with her mother. I think it’s a genetic condition!
I was on the conference call tonight and I just had to tell you Glynnis, this has been the absolutely BEST class I have ever taken! It was so exactly “where I am at!” A year and 1/2 ago I retired, then my Mom died and 5 months later my 32 year old daughter-in-law died. I have ended up with a 9 year old special needs child at my home a LOT! I have seven grandkids but this little girl is with me all the time! The chapter on Priorities was JUST WHAT I NEEDED! I knew the Lord was giving me permission to quit a volunteer position I had, and I felt immediate relief! I have resigned, at least for a awhile and they keep asking me to come back and I still feel so guilty! I probably need to go back to that chapter and reinforce what HE wants for me! The Lord has “gifted” me with the Proverbs 31 girls and I am so thankful! I loved the call tonight! I had been anxiously awaiting that call! Thank you and Melissa and the rest of the girls so much and God Bless You! I can’t thank you enough!!
Lynda – I am so glad you were on the call tonight and did the study too. And I’m glad the Lord has woven your life with ours. You have been through a lot, and are still going through a lot. It’s an honor to walk through this with you, and be an encouragement to you in the midst of some very hard things.
I’m praying the Lord gives you joy as you care for your granddaughter, and peace and contentment with where He has placed you now.
THANK YOU for posting a comment tonight so I could pray for you!!!
This has been a theme in my life right now. I’m really struggling with it. The Lord showed me that part of the problem was a fear that an end meant there would be nowhere to go and nothing new to do. He helped me see that if I saw it as a pause–a break where we can sit and have a picnic on the edge of the cliff, enjoying the view–I could begin to trust that He has more to come.