Podcast summary: Master finishing projects

Written By Laura Manca

I would quite confidently say that I am a pro at starting new projects. But when it comes to finishing them….that’s a different story!

I found this podcast podcast episode (Master finishing projects by Growth Mindset Psychology: the science of self improvement) very inspiring. Here is a summary of my key take aways.

Key points:

  • Unfinished projects steal your energy: 

    • the problem isn’t starting too many things but hanging on the wrong ones

    • You don’t have to finish everything, especially old unfinished ideas

  • Start more of the things you do finish

    • list the things you enjoy, give you energy and do finish

    • Have a clear goal in mind, a clear target, 

    • not everything you do needs to be life-changing 

    • Things don’t need to be perfect, they need to be done! 80-20 rule

  • Identify your blockers, and identify the critical ones

    • Avoid all the little things that don’t actually matter

    • Blockers can be part of a bigger project you do like, these just need to get done or are essential for the whole project to make sense 

    • Don’t waste time trying to force yourself doing things you don’t enjoy and stop you from achieving your main goal

    • Learn to delegate where possible 

  • Learn to say no

    • Tiring yourself from doing work you don’t like doing will leave you energy deprived for the things you enjoy doing 

  • Pick one side project you like instead of chasing many ideas

  • Don’t go for the big blow right away, just go for small steps, don’t waste your time trying to be perfect.

    • The more of something you do, the better you become 

    • Rather be regular than perfect 

    • The more time you spend being creative the more creative you will be 

Actionable points

  • Make a list of tasks you actually finish

    • And which of those would create more value if you would do more of them

  • Make a list of your unfinished projects 

    • Which tasks within those projects are blocking you

    • What would make it possible for you to finish those tasks and move on with the whole project (delegate, ask for help, change time,…)

  • Look at projects you start and don’t finish but that would be damaging

  • Reassess your goals and prioritise things you enjoy doing

Laura Manca
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Happy 2025!