Struggling To Finish Your Project? Try These 8 Techniques

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy diving into new projects. There’s so much joy and excitement in having a new idea and working to turn it into something real. The zeal and energy keeps you going.

However, let’s be honest, the enthusiasm fades. It’s no longer fun right? What was once an exciting, new project turns into a chore. And before you know it, you find yourself moving on to something else, your previous project abandoned in the pile of unfinished work.

Your project languishes on your to-do list for months, becoming something you’ll “get back to when you have time.” But that time never seems to come, does it?

How do you break this cycle? In this article I share tips to help you finish that project that’s pending in your to-do list. Let’s start;

Employ Time Limits & Deadlines

Giving yourself unlimited time for a project can thus be detrimental; there’s always more work to do if you have more time.

To overcome this trap, you should impose time limits and deadlines. When do I need to be done? What work can be done first?

Limit Your Project’s Scope

Don’t be over ambitious and bite off more than you can chew. Start handling simple tasks and move as you go. Here are a few examples of how you can limit a project’s scope: If you want to write a novel, try writing some short stories first or If you want to develop a web app, start with a couple of smaller programs.

You get the idea? Limiting your project’s scope will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and giving up.

Track Your Progress

Monitor your progress so you can see all the parts of the project you’ve completed rather than focusing on what work remains. You can use project management software or listing-making programs to track tasks and mark them as finished. Review your progress weekly to determine what percentage of the project is complete and whether you are on track to reach your next goal. By monitoring your progress, you’re more likely to be accountable for it.

 Avoid Distractions

When working on a big project, particularly during the last stages, minimize distractions that might interrupt your progress. Ways to avoid distractions include: Silencing your phone or putting do-not-disturb messages on your email and messaging applications

Get an Accountability Group

Sometimes, we struggle to finish projects because we’re working in isolation. While working alone is necessary for many personal projects, having a group to hold you accountable for your progress can be a powerful motivator.

Regularly meeting with the same group of people to discuss your projects will keep you on track, as well as help you get feedback on your work.

Accept Imperfections

The desire for perfection can prevent you from finishing a project. Focus on creating quality, accurate work without trying to be flawless. If you find yourself redoing or rewriting parts of your project constantly, try creating a draft first. An imperfect draft can inspire ideas and content for your project, so it can progress on time. You can review, edit and improve the draft once it’s complete.

Ask For Help

If you’re having difficulty completing your project alone or need motivation, ask your coworkers for help. Colleagues who haven’t been working on the project might have useful ideas or can provide the feedback you need to progress in the right direction. Similarly, if you encounter a project task a colleague is better skilled at, such as graphic design, ask if they can guide you through it.

Work When You’re Most Productive

Find the time of day you work best, and dedicate that time to completing your project. If you’re most productive and energized early in the morning, for example, set aside an hour or two free of distractions to work on the project. 

Go And Finish That Project…

Now that you’ve learned some techniques for finally finishing that project you started, what are you waiting for? Don’t procrastinate a moment longer.

Looking to successfully manage and finish your projects but aren’t sure how? Sign up for this Practical Project Management course as a start!