Starting things is easy.

Finishing -  not so much (but also not always necessary). 

How many times have I started to email you on this Simply in the Suburbs list only to fall off the wagon a week or three later? 

I'll get inspired. I'll write daily. Then I'll stop. Life gets busy. Maybe I'll be less confident because my topic here is some sort of personal growth thing, and I'm not always doing so great in areas that I wish I were awesome at. 

I kick myself when I think of how much better I'd be at writing if I'd just be more consistent over these last 8-9 years of on and off blogging. 

Maybe you can relate. The thing that is important to you - you start it. You waver in your commitment or discipline. You stop. You kick yourself. You shame yourself. Then some time later you get the guts to try again, only to go through the same cycle. 

I don't wish this cycle on anyone, but I'm guessing I'm not alone. Your reasons for finishing are probably different from my reasons. Valid all, but something worth fighting against.

The truth is that 'not finishing' things is a  habit. Just like any habit, it takes time to form and takes time to break.

When you're considering things like making changes for the new year, look at the changes as changes in habits. 

And start small so you can get in a habit of finishing. Start the small thing. Finish the small thing. Start a slightly less small thing. Finish that too. 

It's like playing Candy Crush. The first few levels are easy. They get you in the habit of playing Candy Crush. Then, at level 237, no matter how hard it is, you want to finish. And you'll do whatever it takes including losing sleep and getting fired from your job in order to finish that level.

The same can apply for more important habits and projects that need to be started AND finished.

Think about what you've started and how it might have been if you finished that thing. How do you feel, thinking about having finished it? What would be different?

It's not too late. Restart. But let's finish this time. 

Simply,

Brett

For past emails and blog posts, click here to explore Simply in the Suburbs. 
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P.S. If I link to products and services in these emails, the  links are affiliate links. This just means that if you click on the resources and eventually decide the program is for you, then I will get a commission. It helps keep the lights on for my blog and such.