When It’s Okay Not to Finish

Almost every day I work with clients who have clutter because they didn’t finish what they started. Part of my job is helping them understand how their spaces got cluttered and encouraging them to complete tasks so the clutter doesn’t return. Procrastination is the greatest reason people experience clutter; they just don’t get around to finishing things.

Sometimes, though, it doesn’t pay to finish.

When you lose interest in a project, you don’t have to force yourself to finish it. If it has an impact on your health or safety, find someone else to do the job. If not, choose to let it go. All of us have tried a hobby or activity that we were enthusiastic about initially, but that didn’t hold our interest. It’s okay to admit that you don’t enjoy something. Acknowledge that you are not going to love everything you try, but don’t leave the tools and materials laying around, waiting to see if you change your mind. You don’t need a reminder of an unsuccessful effort.

Serial enthusiasts, excited by constantly trying new things, often spend a lot of money outfitting themselves for their new hobbies. When they get tired of the latest pursuit, they drop it and move on to the next one. If you recognize yourself in that description, consider whether you can find a way to try new things without investing a lot of money. You can borrow or rent equipment until you are sure that you want to stick with your interest.

Do you have a project or activity you don’t enjoy anymore? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us what you would like to stop doing.

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

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And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

When It’s Okay Not to Finish

Almost every day I work with clients who have clutter because they didn’t finish what they started. Part of my job is helping them understand how their spaces got cluttered and encouraging them to complete tasks so the clutter doesn’t return. Procrastination is the greatest reason people experience clutter; they just don’t get around to finishing things.

Sometimes, though, it doesn’t pay to finish.

When you lose interest in a project, you don’t have to force yourself to finish it. If it has an impact on your health or safety, find someone else to do the job. If not, choose to let it go. All of us have tried a hobby or activity that we were enthusiastic about initially, but that didn’t hold our interest. It’s okay to admit that you don’t enjoy something. Acknowledge that you are not going to love everything you try, but don’t leave the tools and materials laying around, waiting to see if you change your mind. You don’t need a reminder of an unsuccessful effort.

Serial enthusiasts, excited by constantly trying new things, often spend a lot of money outfitting themselves for their new hobbies. When they get tired of the latest pursuit, they drop it and move on to the next one. If you recognize yourself in that description, consider whether you can find a way to try new things without investing a lot of money. You can borrow or rent equipment until you are sure that you want to stick with your interest.

Do you have a project or activity you don’t enjoy anymore? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us what you would like to stop doing.

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on twitter  and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reading List

Even though I’m consumed with last-minute publishing details, I still have time to read other people’s work. Most of my reading lately has served as research for my book or has been about the publication and marketing processes. I'm looking forward to reading some good fiction soon, along with books that are marginally related to my work.

I created a wish list with Shelfari; you can see my virtual bookshelf on the left. I don’t usually like gadget-type things, but I’ve enjoyed seeing what other people have on their shelves. What’s on yours?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us what you're reading. 

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reading List

Even though I’m consumed with last-minute publishing details, I still have time to read other people’s work. Most of my reading lately has served as research for my book or has been about the publication and marketing processes. I'm looking forward to reading some good fiction soon, along with books that are marginally related to my work.

I created a wish list with Shelfari; you can see my virtual bookshelf on the left. I don’t usually like gadget-type things, but I’ve enjoyed seeing what other people have on their shelves. What’s on yours?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us what you're reading. 

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

A Look at the Book

As promised, here is a look at the cover of my new book. I anticipate it being available for sale at the end of May; until then, you can read excerpts here and here.  I hope you find solutions that will enable you to let go of the clutter that is keeping you from achieving success.

Thank you to everyone who has waited for the book and encouraged me to finish it. It won’t be long until you can hold it in your hand (or e-reader).

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on twitter  and facebook.
And if you like this info, share it using the links below!

A Look at the Book

As promised, here is a look at the cover of my new book. I anticipate it being available for sale at the end of May; until then, you can read excerpts here and here.  I hope you find solutions that will enable you to let go of the clutter that is keeping you from achieving success.

Thank you to everyone who has waited for the book and encouraged me to finish it. It won’t be long until you can hold it in your hand (or e-reader).

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on twitter  and facebook.
And if you like this info, share it using the links below!

Finishing What I Started

I have spent the last year working on a book, which I am proud to announce will be available for purchase on amazon.com later this month. I haven’t actually worked on writing the book for an entire year; some of that time was spent telling people I was writing a book. I let weeks go by without writing a word, but I told everyone I was working on my book.

I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to say and I read about publishing and marketing books. The outline was there and I’d write when I felt like it, but I wasn’t making much progress. Only in the past six months have I put any real, concerted effort in it.

What changed? I partnered with another writer who wanted to finish her book and we talked each week about our goal for the coming week. I also realized that I had to schedule an hour every day to write, whether I was in the mood or not. Sometimes the hour became two hours; sometimes I would quit after 45 minutes because I was just making formatting changes.

Once I got into the habit of sitting in front of the computer every day and writing, I started to think of myself as a writer, instead of someone who was working on a book. Writers have deadlines and publishers who expect them to finish so the book can be sold. I didn’t have an editor or agent or publishing house to report to, just myself. I missed three self-imposed deadlines to finish the book, which really bothered me. I accepted responsibility for not taking the project more seriously and got back to work. Now I’m looking at a release date this month.

I am extraordinarily proud of my achievement and wholly grateful to the people who helped me get this far. Next week I’ll give you a preview of the cover and a little taste of what’s inside.

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on twitter  and facebook
And if you like this info, share it using the links below!

Finishing What I Started

I have spent the last year working on a book, which I am proud to announce will be available for purchase on amazon.com later this month. I haven’t actually worked on writing the book for an entire year; some of that time was spent telling people I was writing a book. I let weeks go by without writing a word, but I told everyone I was working on my book.

I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to say and I read about publishing and marketing books. The outline was there and I’d write when I felt like it, but I wasn’t making much progress. Only in the past six months have I put any real, concerted effort in it.

What changed? I partnered with another writer who wanted to finish her book and we talked each week about our goal for the coming week. I also realized that I had to schedule an hour every day to write, whether I was in the mood or not. Sometimes the hour became two hours; sometimes I would quit after 45 minutes because I was just making formatting changes.

Once I got into the habit of sitting in front of the computer every day and writing, I started to think of myself as a writer, instead of someone who was working on a book. Writers have deadlines and publishers who expect them to finish so the book can be sold. I didn’t have an editor or agent or publishing house to report to, just myself. I missed three self-imposed deadlines to finish the book, which really bothered me. I accepted responsibility for not taking the project more seriously and got back to work. Now I’m looking at a release date this month.

I am extraordinarily proud of my achievement and wholly grateful to the people who helped me get this far. Next week I’ll give you a preview of the cover and a little taste of what’s inside.

Organized by MarcieTM: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on twitter  and facebook
And if you like this info, share it using the links below!