It is estimated that every American has an average of over 300 hours of unfinished projects! That means that if you worked on nothing else but projects eight hours a day it would take you almost 38 days to complete them!
Here is a list of projects that I most often see on my client's abandon project lists:
Scrapbooking
Home improvement projects
Learning a second language
Starting a business
Writing a book
Craft projects
Sewing projects
Business partnerships
Learning to cook in a new style
New exercise programs
Learning to play an instrument
Getting financial records or other paperwork in order
Gardening
Organizing a certain area of your home or office
Starting a new hobbies
Starting a new sport (especially ones with a lot of equipment like diving or golf)
Etc...
A lot of projects and opportunities sound like a good idea at first. You get inspired and purchase all the equipment or supplies needed to conquer the new project.
Then, what happens? Did life's normal demands, old habits and schedules get in the way? Was there never distinct times set aside to work on or complete the project? Did you jump in during a moment of excitement without really thinking it through?
Or, did you start the project because of someone else in your life - it wasn't what you really wanted to do?
If we just take a few moments to slow down, stop, and evaluate all the abandon projects that have come in and out of our lives they would give us tremendous insight. I've included a downloadable "Abandon Project Worksheet" on my website. Print one out for yourself and see the patterns that emerge.
Taking a look at your abandon projects isn't meant to make you feel guilty or bad. It is meant to show you patterns on how you operate and what makes you start and then quit things. Knowing these can save you a ton of time, clutter, money, energy, anguish and guilt in the future.
Every time you attempt to start something new or quit what you've started what has been going on in your life?
Is it around a birthday?
A break-up?
A new year?
A death of a loved one?
A new relationship?
Summer?
A move geographically?
To impress someone or attract someone?
A meeting with an old friend?
A holiday?
A home improvement or craft show?
A reunion?
The school year starting?
After a networking meeting?
A friend's wedding?
What was going on when you got inspired to start a project or get involved with a new opportunity?
And, on the flip side, what was going on in your life when you abandon the project?
List everything on the downloadable "Abandon Project Worksheet" and see if there are any patterns.
The "Abandon Project Worksheet" is meant to prevent you from taking on similar projects in the future without putting some thought and awareness into them and actually figuring out if you have the opening in your schedule for them. This will also save you a great amount of money (and future clutter)! You won't run out and buy all the equipment needed for the new hobby or project.
My suggestion is that you rent or borrow what ever you need to try the new hobby or complete the project instead of jumping in and purchasing all the materials. Then, if it "sticks" you can get your own customized stuff.
Now, if the "Abandon Project Worksheet" has made you realize you need to quit something to make time for something more enjoyable - go ahead and get rid of all the stuff that was involved with the project or hobby. There is no use in letting those thing hang around and clutter up your space and at the same time make you feel bad for not completing or sticking with something.
Next, I would suggest planning out exactly when you will work on your future projects and put them in your planner.
It also helps if you have a friend or coach to either do these projects with you to make them more enjoyable or that can act as your accountability partner. Sometimes just knowing that someone else is aware of what you are not getting done is all you need.
For the projects that you still want completed on the sheet, maybe it is time to delegate or outsource these so they will actually get done. No one said you had to do everything - you just wanted them done, right?
The best use of the attached "Abandon Project Worksheet" is using the insight against future opportunities that come your way. Just because you didn't complete a project before and now a similar one came up doesn't mean you won't finish it this time. But now you are aware and can make a more educated decision to take it on or not before you even start.
Lastly, don't feel guilty about quitting something. Our lives are constantly evolving with new interests, inspirations and opportunities. There is no bigger waste of time than to keep doing something just out of guilt, obligation, or because you spent money on it. You'll never get they money back anyway. You'll never get the time back. Just let it go.
Now that you've recognized the patterns of why you start and then quit your abandon projects - just rip it up and toss the list and don't worry about them anymore.
So, what is on your Abandon Project List? You can list them in the comments below. Sharing will get it outside of yourself and make it easier to let it go.
Erica Duran, CPO, is a published Productivity Expert/Coach, Web Designer & Certified Professional Organizer. She has been an entrepreneur and consultant for over 20 years.
Erica works with new entrepreneurs who are just starting their business and have a ton of questions! She also works with those who have been in business for years but long to be more productive, organized, and "get their life back" by doing what they love and make a profit at it.
If you've liked this article, you'll love Erica's dynamic courses and programs to help you get productive, organized, & profitable and stay that way.
Learn more and claim your FREE gifts at http://www.EricaDuran.Co
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