loosing interest towards the end..

[prats]

I have this problem. I am a very good starter, very enthusiastic about things..but when I see the solution or when I complete the crux of the issue ..I immediately loose interest in that, as if I were to proove myself If I can achieve the task,once I get an answer I know I can and thus loose interest..

Does anyone else feel thsi way? If you want examples..if in development of a software product,I loose interest once the prodcut is developed,some else has to test it for me..I simply cant set my mind to test..After my pregnancy as soon as I fit into my pre-preg jeans I lost interest to shed off the extra pounds..While talking with someone I only talk and try to solve issues, general nice-isities doenst interest me..

What in your opinion is my problem? Am I lazy ? How do I improve my situation and treat the whole thing till the end as one task ? Help

[Dan.Linehan]

I am the same way. A lot of people talk about the great feeling they get when they finish a project, I generally don't feel that way. When I do finish something I just have to move onto something else.

[Trezker]

Thirded. It's a huge problem. My portfolio is quite empty because of this.

[Keith]

Just as a matter of interest, do you know what your Myers-Brigg's personality type is? This is apparently a common INFP trait (there's a thread about that around here somewhere).

Regardless, I don't think there's anything wrong with you. Finalising tends to be boring administrative stuff that just isn't as fun as the 'crunchy bits' of the project. (But then, I'm an INFP. ).

One solution is to find work where you get to use your preference for the middle bits as a strength. Just as you would rather do that, there are people out there who are better suited to (and enjoy) the steady finishing work that you consider dull.

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by prats

I have this problem. I am a very good starter, very enthusiastic about things..but when I see the solution or when I complete the crux of the issue ..I immediately loose interest in that, as if I were to proove myself If I can achieve the task,once I get an answer I know I can and thus loose interest..

Does anyone else feel thsi way? If you want examples..if in development of a software product,I loose interest once the prodcut is developed,some else has to test it for me..I simply cant set my mind to test..After my pregnancy as soon as I fit into my pre-preg jeans I lost interest to shed off the extra pounds..While talking with someone I only talk and try to solve issues, general nice-isities doenst interest me..

What in your opinion is my problem? Am I lazy ? How do I improve my situation and treat the whole thing till the end as one task ? Help

Same here Prats - you're not alone. Not only am I a lousy finisher, I never follow through or stick with anything.

I can probably name a dozen things in recent memory where this has been a problem:

1. Losing weight
2. Quitting caffeine
3. Reading more
4. Staying organized (ie. GTD, etc)
5. Exercising
6. Small/home business

And so on....

I wish I knew what to do to change this pattern of behavior, but I'm at a complete loss. Of course, I read all the self-help, personal development stuff and, as you might guess, never follow through with any of it.

Dave

[smartile]

Hi prats,

I can relate. I'm a great starter and sometimes I loose my motivation when it's time to finish. When I'm having trouble reaching the finish line I think about this quote by T Harv Eker,

"The way you do anything is the way you do everything".

When I'm at work and I complete 80% of a task, show up late to my meetings and spend a lot of time by the water cooler, I'm setting a precedent for other areas of my life. This translates into putting an 80% effort at the gym, 80% effort into my part-time business, and 80% into my relationship with my wife. The results show up very clearly; as a lack of energy at the gym, a lack of results in my business, and a missing connection with my wife.

Just like Harv says, the way I do anything is the way I do everything.

If you want to improve your completions, consider the impact this is having in other areas of your life. Take one task and do it 100% and see what happens. Change your habits and you change your life.

Want to learn more? Check out,

How to Super Charge Your Productivity

Stephen Martile — Personal Development Made Simple

[thecubemonkey]

There was a test I took a few years ago that told you whether you were a good starter or finisher. Though you likely know what you are it was interesting. I was a great starter but not a good finisher. My wife is a lousy starter but a great finisher (maybe that's why we work so well!).

One way to finish is to get help from a finisher. I solicit the help of my wife and she makes sure I finish.

I also noticed that the more passionate I'm about something the more I'm likely to finish it.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by smartile

When I'm having trouble reaching the finish line I think about this quote by T Harv Eker,
"The way you do anything is the way you do everything".

Wow that sounds like absolute rubbish. The way I do things I don't give a stuff about is the way I do things I do give a stuff about? Just no.

[EDIT] That was probably a bit overharsh. Building general capabilities is often useful. That quote comes across as a gross oversimplification, though.

[prats]

Thanks All for the wonderful inputs. I do believe in what "smartile" has pointed out.

"The way you do anything is the way you do everything".

I am sorry if anybody has taken it too literally. That makes perfect sense to me.