“We are judged by how we finish, not how we start.”
How true. Some people are so worried about whether or not they’ll be able to finish a project that they hesitate to begin anything. I confess to being one of those. Partly, it’s because I tend to perfectionism. Please understand that perfectionism doesn’t mean that everything I do meets that high standard, but it’s what I wish I could attain. Through my life, I’ve had to make choices about where to spend my energy and focus, a fight against perfectionism. (Dusting the furniture was something that lost out!)
My husband is a starter. He loves to jump into a project and get it going. He doesn’t usually worry about finishing at that stage. I, on the other hand, am afraid to start something in case I won’t be able to finish it. The result: I talk myself out of a lot of things that might be good if I trusted myself. I have to say my husband and I have rubbed off on each other over the years. I’m more willing to try something, and he’s more intent on completing a project.
As a writer, I’ve learned that first words aren’t crucial at the outset. It’s the act of beginning that’s important. First words can be changed, edited, tweaked, or stricken from the record! They are only a starting point, a thought-bullet fired in a specific direction. The more important aspect is following through, completing a task to the best of our abilities.
We’re on a journey through this life, and our paths are not complete until our number is called. Let’s give each day our all, with the help of the God who created us do the things He has prepared in advance for us to do.
NOTE: For as long as I can remember, our household has regularly received The Furrow magazine, a farming publication published by Deere & Company. My favourite part of this magazine is the next-to-last page, titled fun & Philosophy, a collection of jokes, quotes from famous people, and capsule sermons. From these I’ve chosen a few as conversation starters for my blogspot. Thought-bullets.
I’m enjoying your story and your characters, Janice. Lovely idea to do a winter/Christmas story in instalments before we’re in a rush for Christmas. I also appreciate your blog, especially this one introducing “thought bullets,” and discussing “perfectionism” from the start to finish. I also get stalled because of perfectionistic tendencies, including the fear of not finishing, which cause me to procrastinate.
Right now, I’ve ripped apart chair covers to remodel for our couch. Three and a half years ago, I bought these ill-fitting covers, which I intended to make into a cover for our then-new couch. We moved soon after that and the covers stayed in the box. Now, I’m organizing the basement and something needed to be done with the box.
With the covers ripped apart in our main living space, other priorities, as usual, have come to the fore. . .
Oh yes, and then you have to live with the mess for a while. We’ve been working at a bedroom renovation for 3 months now, and I’m getting really tired of random pieces of furniture parked here and there, waiting for a decent location. I know it will all be done eventually, but in the meanwhile, I must exercise patience. I hope your cover-project happens soon too.