The Journey of Completion: Overcoming the Challenge of Unfinished Drafts
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Unfinished Work
In the realm of writing, I often find myself as the quintessential starter—an idea generator constantly on the lookout for the next intriguing project. Can you relate?
If you identify with this, you might be the type who awakens in the dead of night, scrambling to jot down thoughts, or perhaps your notes app is overflowing with concepts and prompts that you can't even locate. The truth is, generating ideas is not the challenge; they pop into your mind like popcorn. The real struggle arises when you’re on the verge of completing a project.
A hint of perfectionism often clouds this process. The initial concept glitters with potential; you can almost visualize the sharp and clever sentences that will elegantly weave together an irresistible narrative. But then, the actual writing begins. It often feels like an embarrassing string of phrases. My mind tends to drift, leading me down unexpected paths where the story morphs into something unrecognizable. I consider abandoning it all to start fresh. Suddenly, a brand-new idea sparks in my mind. I’ll just jot down a few lines on that and return to the previous one. But wait, did someone just call my name?
Ultimately, my narratives end up resting in the graveyard of unfinished drafts. The count is staggering, and I’ve lost track.
As wiser individuals have advised, the art of completing a piece is a crucial skill for any writer. Without finishing, you’ll never publish or truly hone your craft.
I recognize this is a detrimental pattern, and yes, there are profound psychological and emotional reasons behind it. However, that discussion is for another time. I am determined to see this thought through!
Step one is to acknowledge your limitations. I am powerless to this habit I’ve cultivated, but I am resolved to change it. The next step? Formulate a comprehensive strategy to stop quitting.
Setting a Goal to Overcome Incompletion
The first step is to set a clear intention. Mine is straightforward: to finish every project I initiate. Of course, not everything deserves completion; I have my boundaries. What I mean is, whenever I embark on a new endeavor, I will ensure the first draft is completed. Once that draft is done, I can assess whether it’s salvageable or if it belongs in that vast graveyard of abandoned work. A first draft doesn’t need to be perfect; it can be brief and rough. It’s far better to produce something that can be refined later rather than crafting perfect paragraphs that ultimately lead nowhere.
Obtaining the Right Tools and Support
To navigate my way to a completed draft, I’ll need assistance. My mind tends to wander, and my body feels restless. Am I still hungry? Instead of letting the story stagnate, I must resist the urge to abandon it. Yelling at myself for my shortcomings is not a sustainable solution. Instead, I need to create an environment conducive to completion. I’ll dedicate time to focus on one story each day until it’s finished. While I don’t mean every single day, I’ll strive to write most days. Breaks are perfectly acceptable.
On those challenging days, I employ the Pomodoro technique—writing frantically for 25 minutes, then taking a break. This approach helps ease the burden when I feel overwhelmed.
In terms of tools, I utilize Scrivener for a comprehensive overview of my projects and Pacemaker Planner to schedule my writing sessions, especially for larger works that can’t be completed in one go.
On days when motivation is low, I’ll jot down some prompts to ensure I have quick wins. The joy of completing a smaller piece can motivate me to tackle more substantial projects later. It’s easier to achieve closure with a well-structured prompt than to wrestle with complex ideas that require extensive exploration. For now, I’ll focus on those simpler tasks to cultivate the habit of finishing.
Monitoring My Progress
I’m fully committed to this journey. Consistency is key, even when boredom sets in or motivation wanes.
I plan to check in with myself every morning and evening—not with harsh judgment, but with gentle reflection. Did I complete the draft I started? If not, can I recall why I aimed to finish it? This is my goal, and it is vital to me. Writing is my passion, even when it’s challenging. I am a writer—I craft and complete stories for others to read. And I’m on my way to doing just that!
The first video, "It's Time to Finish," emphasizes the importance of completing projects and overcoming procrastination.
The second video, "It's Time To Finish This ONCE AND FOR ALL | 1 Life 100 Days | Ep.10," provides strategies to help maintain focus and motivation in the writing process.