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The Curse of Unfinished Projects

Writer's picture: daynendaynen

Over the years I have probably completed a few thousand video projects. Many with friends, some with family, a good deal with talented and professional collaborators, and even a few by myself. But those completed projects don't even come close to the number of projects that I've started and never finished.


I've always struggled with finishing the projects I start. I inherited that from my super talented and creative mother. But as I near my 29th birthday and have about a dozen or two video projects I'd like to finish this year, I'm starting to look into ways to help. And from what I've found there are five ways that productivity experts have suggested we complete our long-term projects.


Step 1: Break It Down Into "Now-Tangible" Milestones.


This one is pretty self explanatory. The final goal is pretty far away and overwhelming. Most creative people with the ADHD need immediate feedback and a little bit of urgency. Here's exactly how we can break it down:


  • Break the project into small, action-oriented steps that feel immediately doable.

  • Set mini-deadlines for each phase (weekly or bi-weekly).

  • Use the "Two-Minute Rule"—if a task takes under two minutes, do it now to build momentum.


As an example, I have a short fan film that I am excited to finish, but still has a lot of things to do (the final cut, the score, 3D animating, compositing, coloring, etc) before I can post it. So in my case, I should:


  • Break the project into steps like, "finish the final cut," "commission the score," "gather my 3D assets," etc

  • Set a deadline for each of these steps: "I have one full week to finalize the cut of this short"

  • I might make a list of small tasks that can be accomplished in two minutes (or maybe more like thirty if I'm being honest). Like I might remove small lights or power lines in the background of a certain shot, or do the sound design around the moment where our main character punches down a tree.



Step 2: Externalize Accountability (Not Just Willpower).


I used to think that I could be accountable to myself and get things done, but obviously... I can't. So it's important to figure out a way to commit to someone or something outside of yourself. Here's some ideas:


  • Publicly announce your deadlines. This could be done by setting a release date or sharing with followers or a community

  • Work with a partner. Not necessarily someone who will be working with you, but a friend or family member who can hold you accountable for your progress.

  • Use timers and deadlines. Maybe you have a countdown timer on your phone that will help you finish a mini-task in the next hour.


Step 3: Optimize Your Environment


You should make your task SO accessible that it's impossible NOT to work on it. I know that a big turn-off for me is when I want to start editing something, but I can't find my headphones or something. It derails me completely. But if I can create an environment where everything I need is there, I am setting myself up for success. So basically:


  • Keep your essential tools at the ready. For me, that means having my software open and ready, as well as all the hardware working and accounted for.

  • Use visual reminders like a whiteboard or sticky notes

  • Work in "themed zones." Don't plan and edit in the same space. Heck, for a while, I edited in the same room I slept! Would you believe me if I told you that I struggled?


Step 4: Make it Fun (with Dopamine)!

Dopamine is basically what motivates our brains to do anything. Whenever we find something new, challenging, receive rewards, or (most importantly) finish a task, we get a hit of dopamine. So how can we use dopamine to help us finish our projects?


  • Gamify it. Checkpoints, progress bars, reward systems, etc

  • Work in sprints. Race against a timer and challenge yourself to finish a task in a short amount of time.

  • Change up the way you work. I might try editing very haphazardly without double checking anything and see what I make. Then I can go in and refine it later.


Step 5: Accept Imperfection and Push Through

Starting a project is not the hard part, it's the middle part where I lose all motivation. The imperfections start showing and the cracks in my idea begins to weigh down on me and lead me to just go start a new project. But here are some things to keep in mind:

  • EXPECT the dip in motivation. If you know that it's going to happen when you start, it'll be much easier to plan on it and push through it.

  • Prioritize progress over perfection. "Finish" the project as fast as you can, then refine it after.

  • Remember, finished is better than perfect. You are often your worst critic and a finished, imperfect project is far far better than an unfinished project.


I don't expect any of these tips to change my productivity over night. But I do think that implementing a little here and a little there will end up make a big difference in the long run. Like this blog post! I'm not trying to make it perfect. I'm just writing as I think and will (probably) go back through a refine it before I publish. But I'm super excited to start posting to Slack Shack and Gamers in the Attic again. We have a very fun and exciting project between the two of them that we are stoked about and will allow us to start putting more time and effort into this again. Until next time,


-Daynen

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