Key Takeaways
- There are four referability habits that are good to adopt.
- One of them is to finish what you start.
- Are there times, though, where it’s better not to finish what you start?
We get a lot of advice throughout our lives – suggestions on what to do, what not to do, habits to establish, habits to break, and so on. It’s not always easy to know what advice to take, but there are some good rules to live by, known as referability habits, that are pretty much universally held as great advice. They are:
- Show up on time.
- Do what you say you’re going to do.
- Finish what you start.
- Say “please” and “thank you.”
Let’s consider that third one, though – “finish what you start.” Is that applicable to all things? Well, not exactly. As humans, we run the risk of falling into completion bias, feeling obligated to complete something because we’ve started it.
For instance, you may start reading a book, slog through the first few dozen pages, and find it’s just not enjoyable and that you’re really having to force yourself to read it. When this happens, return the book to the library, give the book to someone else, or donate it. Give yourself permission not to finish it. In general, give yourself permission not to complete certain things.
Hold on, that sounds like a complete negation of “finish what you start,” doesn’t it? How does this work? Well, you’re allowed to renegotiate. To do so, just look at the bigger picture.
In the example of finishing a book, ask yourself what you’re really trying to accomplish. Are you reading the book to gain knowledge on a subject? Are you reading for enjoyment? Whatever the goal, there are other books that can replace the one you’re struggling to finish. Pick another book to fulfill your goal.
When it comes to working with other people, this might be a little more difficult, but it’s still doable. People are generally reasonable and understand that there are detours, and that it doesn’t mean there’s no longer a path.
For instance, perhaps you started something for a client, but quickly realized that you didn’t have the correct resources to see it through to completion. Rather than spin your wheels, renegotiate by explaining that you thought you could do it, realized you’re not capable of doing it, but know someone who can. The work is still going to be completed, just by someone else.
It’s important not to be so set on soldiering on that you become miserable (and make everyone around you miserable in the process). While it’s great to finish what you’ve started, remind yourself why you started something and don’t be afraid to renegotiate when you need to. That way, you’ll still finish what you started, just under different terms. Until next time, enjoy.
Gary
If you’d like to read more on this topic, here are a few of our past blog posts that you might enjoy: