“Nothing is so fatiguing than the hanging on of an uncompleted task”.
-William James (philosopher)

When I first read the quote above a couple of years ago, it just rang so true to me. Indeed, sometimes you get tired not by your actions but just by the thought of all those pending projects!

Since I normally handle a couple of projects at a time, I have to make a conscious decision not to stretch myself too thin. By this I mean I always have to get a grip on myself that I don’t get too excited on new ideas and start new projects before I close existing ones. In short, I always aim to be a FINISHER.

So, how do you ensure that your tasks move at a pace that will get you to the end? Read on.

Define the project and what the finished product should be.

Projects can be long or short so this means it can take just one day or even a week or a month. Whatever it is though, don’t start a project without at least a tentative deadline. Also, define what the finished outcome should be. Otherwise, how will you know if the project has been successfully done?

Assuming you’ve specified the project, determined the results, and listed down action steps leading to the achievement of the goal, it’s time to follow-through.

Wake up really early.

I don’t know about you but waking up late during the day makes me lazy the rest of the day. So if I have a certain goal in mind, I set the alarm clock to a very early time.

Exercise and then shower.

To clear my thoughts and put it in the right ‘action frame of mind’, I exercise. The energy boost I get from running or jogging clears my head and pumps up my blood so much that I feel I can handle anything! A quick shower after wards wipes my body and mind clean, enabling me to can sit down and think clearly.

Breakfast and coffee.

Well, a rumbling stomach does not feel good and just gets in the way of what I need to do so I get a healthy breakfast and bring a nice big cup of coffee to my desk. Somehow, a steaming mug of caffeine always creates the right setting on my work desk.

Just do it!

At this point I do not even entertain anything else rather than the task or project I have made up my mind to do. As such, I avoid all calls and don’t even check my Inbox. Depending on the project I want to finish, I would be in this ‘zone’ for the rest of the morning or the rest of the day.

Here’s a great mental tip: make sure you have a list of those things you need to do to finish a project and cross them off after you’ve done them. The mind registers just how much you are finishing and sort of eggs you on to accomplish more, faster.

Keep at your list and before you know it, you would have accomplished what you set out to do.