My Thoughts on Unfinished Projects

I was listening to Chris Oatley's Podcast today.  It was episode # 49: Projects That Pitch & The Fine Art of Finishing.  ( www.chrisoatley.com ).  It was about being able to complete a project from start to finish.  While listening to the podcast, a long lost folder named "unsorted" magically appeared on my computer.  Of course, it just so happened contained a huge pile of unfinished projects and forgotten illustrations.  I think either the universe and/or my computer may be trying to tell me something...

I'm not always good at completing a projects.  I have learned a few tricks though.  These apply to art as well as a lot of other things, such as going to the gym on a regular basis.

1) Plan it from Start to Finish  
This is not always the most fun part.  Well, at least not for me.  If I'm super juiced about an art project the last thing I want to do is start making lists and deciding how many weeks/months I want to spend on something.  Screw getting my feet wet, I want to dive in head first.  Err, this never seems to work long term.  As soon as something goes wrong, I want to give-up, start fresh, and throw my work out the window.  No.  Make a list, plan how long you want to take, and work out the details of what you have to get done and when.  This may include a list on things you want to get done in a day/week/month/year.  Just make sure to be realistic.  Do expect to much out of yourself, especially if your just starting something big.  If you bite off more you can chew you'll never complete anything.  Don't hold yourself up to anyone else's standards.  Just do what you can, and plan well ahead of time.


2) Write a Journal
I think making a journal is a great idea for completing projects.  Write about your work.  Write about what you want to accomplish and what you hope to do with your project.  Writing a journal really helps me to stay focused.  If I start to fall off the wagon I re-read my entries about what I want want to accomplish, and the effort I've already put into it.  I love making journals.  They keep me focused.  I read in a book a while ago, I can't remember the name of the book for the life of me, that people who keep a journal of what they want to achieve are 80% more likely to be successful in achieving what is was they set out to accomplish.  I don't know if 80% is accurate, but it really does help.


3) Tell People About Your Project
Telling people about what you're doing keeps you accountable!  If you tell people your making a life sized smurf out cotton balls, you're more likely to complete it.  It will get you juiced about a project, and help you to complete it.  It really works.


Really truly we all just learn as we go along.  It's time to tie-up loose ends and finish what I've started.