I'm a great starter (projects), I rarely finish. Help!?

Question

I always get projects going. I have great ideas all the time. I can never finish them though. It is as if I get bored too quickly. This has been an issue for me for a long time. Serious answers only please. Thank You.

I compose music. I can get great songs going but never finish. Sometimes I feel like it is a creative disease. I also write. Draw. Right brained stuff. I am really good with computers though as well...

For "Tab H" , I am a Pisces (Sun sign) and Pisces (moon). I fit a Pisces quite well actually.

Answer 1

Lots of good advice for you in this thread.

It's hard to tailor the solution without knowing a little more about your personality and what exactly happens.

Some behavior can be changed, some behavior must simply be compensated for.

For example, some people are "idea-oriented" and quickly lose their enthusiasm during the implementation phase. The details of finishing the project can become tedious. In those cases, having a partner who is good at the finishing touches and can "clean it up" is VERY helpful.

If details aren't necessarily a pain but you have trouble knowing how to get to the goal, you probably need to "block out your task" better. Basically, figure out the specific goal, divide your task into its separate components, then give yourself a reasonable timeline for each piece. Someone who is good at task management or organization can be very helpful for you here.

I'm sure people have suggested some form of ADHD, as it's the cliche nowadays. There's some truth to it -- some people exhibit ADHD signs that are controlled by medication enough so that they can finally focus and organize themselves enough to finish tasks. It's always an option to see if there's any biological component, but I would look at the other things above first.

Right-brain is "big-picture" oriented and visual in nature. It's not detailed nor is it not linear -- and for the purposeful production of "finished works of art," you need to be somewhat detailed and linear in nature.

Computers are funny because they can involve both left- and right-brain thinking depending on the task at hand. You will see both types of brains involved in development work -- but your right-brainers will be better at seeing the big picture, the overall view of the project, while the left-brainers will probably find it easier to finish the task but might gloss over some important pieces along the way or find that the solution doesn't meet all the requirements of the task.

In any case, probably the best solution is involve someone else with the traits you lack, to cover your weaknesses. Allow someone else to finish your task. For music, switch into a "performance" outcome instead of "polished recording" -- do live fresh recordings rather than finely detailed and structured ones, just enough to get the ideas down, and then try to get others to buy into your songs and "re-finish" them for you / with you.

For your art, do not try to be a detailed immaculate artist. Try to find a style that allows you to make broad strokes / conceptual /evocative drawings -- things that tailor to your generalist, broad, non-detailed side. Or have someone else flesh out your "roughs."

Yes, you can develop these others sides of your abilities, but it'll never be second nature, and you're already having trouble doing it simply because you are NOT linear or detail-oriented. Find others who can fill in for your weaknesses, or change your goals a bit to not demand so much detail work.

Answer 2

My husband is just like this. He is very talented and smart, and has these big ideas that he follows for a little while and then gets tired of it. But even if he doesn't follow through, he is always very passionate about what he does, and I wouldn't change that. He is not so passionate about school so he doesn't make the grades I know he can, but refuses to work doing things he thinks are not worth his time.

I am opposite, I am totally left-brained, no creativity, but I do well in school , but anyway, my point is that I am not sure that there is much you can do, it may just be a part of your personality. All I can recommend is to keep trying, maybe when you get that perfect song, or the perfect piece of art, you will be able to finish. Don't change what you are, don't just settle for something you are not happy with, just keep getting those great ideas and following the best ones and you will probably be a lot happier at the end of the day.

Answer 3

attention deficit? It's not necessarily purely about distractibility. Some people are motivated by the attainment of the goal. I think of those as the overachiever, the Martha Stewart types. Some people are motivated by the seeking itself and the goal is not so interesting. They can often be underachievers despite being very skilled or brilliant. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter you might want to research. Some people break it down faster, some people maybe not fast enough.

Answer 4

Happens to me too. the only way i could deal with it is by not being too exited in the beginning of the project. for instance if i wanted to write, i'd rather write all the plot summaries first, then start writing all the details later. that way i'd know exactly what the project was going to be like. this works (sometimes:) but then, anyway, sorry if this doesn't help much

Answer 5

Make a list of your unfinished projects and any ideas that you have to complete them. Then make it a priority to finish one project at a time. Good luck

I am dealing with the same issues, lots of home improvement projects started. I need to finish them

Answer 6

Create a timeline and time deadline for your project.

Before you begin also draw up an outline of the beginning, middle, and end of the project. Next, please break the assignment/task down into smaller parts. Then do each part of the project one by one.

Finally, you may want to reward yourself when you complete the project(s).

Answer 7

I think this is like a diet. You have to decide you are going to finish and keep working until you do. However, I know there is writer's block, so there may be creative block.

I wish you luck. I don't think any of us have the "golden" answer for you.

Answer 8

i do this too...i found what works for me is i only start one thing at a time...that way i finish because i know i wanna go do something else...but i dont allow myself to do this, until the 1st project is finished..this seems to be working for me..and i am less stressed out as well because i dont have 20 projects all at once.

Answer 9

ah it appears that you are the total opposite of me. im a 'worker' not 'idea generator'. i suppose you might need a help of someone close to you to give you a push to finish all your ideas. best friend perhaps? or your lover? someone who likes wat you do and will always be there to encourage you to finish what you started.

or simply try to force yourself to finish one solid idea. frm there you might get a mental boost that you can actually finish something that you started.

get that creativity juice flowing!

Answer 10

Hey buddy I really understand. In- fact just the other day I was,,,