Why You Never Finish Things (and how to fix it)

Summary

This video explores the challenges of staying accountable to creative projects and habits, sharing personal experiences of struggling with productivity. The speaker details how they developed an accountability system with their partner, using weekly check-ins to track progress and celebrate wins. The speaker emphasizes the importance of breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, reducing friction in the creative process, and allowing time for rest. The key takeaway is to slow down, reflect on your achievements, and create for the joy of it, rather than the pressure to constantly do more.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace the excitement of starting new habits, but be mindful of the challenges in maintaining accountability and follow-through.
• 😀 Establishing an accountability system with a partner or a friend can significantly boost productivity and help keep creative projects on track.
• 😀 Weekly check-ins, like setting shared goals and reflecting on progress, are essential to stay focused and maintain momentum.
• 😀 Attach rewards to your accountability system (e.g., going to a coffee shop after a check-in) to make the process more enjoyable.
• 😀 Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and make the process as accessible as possible to reduce feelings of overwhelm.
• 😀 The Pomodoro technique and short time blocks can help reduce the friction of starting tasks and increase productivity in a short time.
• 😀 Regularly reflect on the tasks you're not completing and ask yourself if they are truly important to you or if they are societal pressures.
• 😀 Reducing friction in your environment (e.g., keeping tools or materials within easy reach) can make creative projects easier to start and complete.
• 😀 Don't rush into the next project without acknowledging and celebrating the progress you've made, no matter how small.
• 😀 It's okay to let go of habits or tasks that no longer serve you, like reading when you're simply not feeling it, and give yourself permission to focus on what truly matters.
• 😀 Strive for balance by allowing yourself time to rest and reflect. Slowing down can help create meaningful work and prevent burnout.

Q & A

Why did the speaker take a year off from drawing?

The speaker took a year off from drawing because their creativity came to a halt, and they felt the need for a change to develop a better system for accountability.

What is the main reason people struggle with following through on new habits or projects?

People often struggle with follow-through because they believe that if they don’t complete a task within a set timeline, it means they’ve failed. The issue, however, is usually a lack of a solid accountability system.

How did the speaker create a system for accountability?

The speaker created a system for accountability by asking their partner to be their accountability buddy. They shared a Google Doc with goals and checked in weekly, tying the check-ins to a reward—a visit to a local coffee shop.

Why is it important to tie rewards to tasks or check-ins?

Tying rewards to tasks or check-ins makes accomplishing something that would otherwise feel like a chore more enjoyable, thus motivating better follow-through.

What are the key elements of the speaker's weekly check-ins with their partner?

During the weekly check-ins, the speaker shares their big and small wins, admits what they didn’t accomplish, and reflects on their progress. The goal is to acknowledge what’s been done, rather than focusing on what hasn’t.

What advice does the speaker give regarding setting goals and productivity?

The speaker advises against setting too many goals for the sake of productivity. Instead, the focus should be on setting realistic goals, reflecting on actual progress, and avoiding burnout by not overloading oneself.

How does the speaker handle their discomfort with idle time?

The speaker struggles with idle time but is working to schedule time blocks for doing nothing, learning to be okay with rest and allowing time for slow activities.

What is the speaker’s approach to breaking down large tasks?

The speaker advocates for breaking large tasks into small, manageable steps. They suggest reducing friction by making the task easier to start, such as by setting out materials or preparing the environment beforehand.

What role does the Pomodoro technique play in the speaker’s productivity system?

The Pomodoro technique helps the speaker stay focused by working in short, timed bursts. It reduces the pressure to work non-stop and allows them to accomplish more by breaking work into small intervals.

What should someone do if a task keeps appearing on their to-do list without progress?

The speaker recommends reflecting on why the task isn't being accomplished. If it keeps getting crossed off without progress, it may indicate that the task isn’t aligned with one's true interests or goals, and it’s okay to let it go.

How does the speaker suggest reducing friction in their environment to improve productivity?

The speaker suggests setting up your environment so that the tools and materials you need are easily accessible. For example, leaving a tripod out and ensuring gear is ready to go helps reduce friction and makes it easier to start projects.

What is the speaker’s final takeaway about accountability and creativity?

The final takeaway is that accountability check-ins are simple yet effective systems for staying on track. However, it's important to be kind to oneself, set realistic goals, and allow time for reflection and rest to maintain a sustainable, fulfilling creative process.