Have you ever plunged into a new project with great enthusiasm, only to find it slowly losing steam until it’s just another abandoned idea in the pile? 

Maybe it’s a new instagram account, a fitness goal, a morning routine, a meal prep plan. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone. 

It’s easy to label yourself a “quitter” or call yourself “weak-willed” and then dwell in feelings of guilt. 

But what if we told you that not finishing everything you start is a perfectly normal human experience, and sometimes, it’s even the right thing to do?

It’s understandable to feel frustrated, disappointed when you don’t see projects through to what you perceive as their “end”. 

Many people struggle with this, particularly when there are no external consequences for quitting. 

Though the harsh critic in you might link it to a character flaw, there are other strong influences.

Factors like changing interests, the challenge of sustained focus and attention, life’s practical demands on your time and even the approach and process of taking on the project itself. 

Here are some common, real-life reasons why projects often go unfinished, and how a slight shift in perspective or approach can make a world of difference.

Natural Shift in Interest

Honour it. Explore the shift in interest. Ask yourself if you’ll be at peace with switching gears and stopping halfway.

How would you feel if you continued? 

Interest can be long drawn or short lived. It’s up to you. Everyone is unique. Not every experience has to culminate in an official “end”. Take what you can from the experience. 

The Perfectionist in You

You might envision an ideal or perfect product or ending.

Sometimes, the process and journey gives you some clues as to how it would turn out. 

Have you ever heard “Oh it’s not great, I might as well stop now. I already know how it will turn out. What is the point of completing it?” 

This might be a self-protective mechanism that saves you from the fear and shame of not meeting your expectations. 

So rather than completing the process and getting something that could be 60% of what you expect, you rather give up. 

Consider honouring and enjoying the progressive journey rather than being fixated on the outcome.

Are you giving progress enough credit in your books?

Projects that start out ambitious might be intimidating to tackle. 

It becomes challenging to identify starting points to map out the way forward. 

Dreaming big during the brainstorming session might translate to embarking on something that sounds good on paper, but is challenging to undertake. 

Being intimidated or overwhelmed can also discourage you from finishing the project. 

We recommend breaking down large goals into very small steps and to focus on one thing at a time. 

Starting with the goal in mind can also help reverse engineer the little steps you need to get there.  

Are we there yet?

The part between starting and ending is underrated. 

It takes consistency, check ins with the original vision and continuous effort and resolve to move through the project. 

This is where people’s initial enthusiasm fades and progress is slow. 

A way to keep going is to take breaks in between to recharge, keep the end goal in mind and work alongside a project timetable to track your progress.

This helps keep your motivation in check. 

Are you limiting yourself?

How you speak to yourself is so powerful.

If you believe that you are a consistent quitter of projects, it is easier to abandon projects halfway. 

That belief becomes part of your identity.

If so, I would think of all the positive examples where you start and finish things. They do not have to be big projects – even small daily tasks count. 

Track these and have that be present and centre in your focus radar. This will help you recognize your daily completions and give you the confidence and self-belief that you’ll be able to finish the project you started. 

Being mindful can make you aware of how you relate your behaviour to the projects you undertake.

Here at Scripting Life, we are advocates of scripting your own unique path. Whilst we believe in making the best of any situation, if you are ready to write a different script for yourself, you can check out these resources. They are here to infuse you with inspiration and courage to take action. 

If you’re inspired by examples of people crafting their own path, do subscribe to our monthly newsletter.