Redefine Done

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September usually means getting back into a routine, starting fresh, and setting goals. But creating a long aspirational list seems out-of-place in an out-of-sorts year. So, let’s take the pressure off and change the focus from starting to finishing. In the September series, Finish Strong, you’ll learn five tips to help you get projects over the finish line.

Tip #1—Redefine Done

Tip #1 to finish strong is to “Redefine Done.” The idea is simple: Rather than expecting yourself to pull off an extreme makeover in minutes, celebrate every step along the way.

I’ve had to redefine done as I’ve worked on a house update. In my head, I thought I was done envisioning the final product. But it turns out the How wasn’t as straightforward as my What!

There were a million little things that needed to happen in between “start” and “finish.” Truth be told, there were so many tasks that I started and stopped many times—it was just too overwhelming to manage with everything else happening in 2020. My self-esteem suffered as I waffled between an over-confident attitude of, No problem—I got this! and looking at my long To Do list and thinking, I’m just kidding myself—this is too big to handle.

Replace Forcing with Being a Force Multiplier

Staying in a fog dreaming about happily ever after wasn’t helping. Neither was jumping from one half-finished task to another. What did help was to stop pushing myself to do everything at once. I realized I could redefine “done” as simply doing one thing well.

For instance, I originally told myself I’d be “done” when I found the right window contractor. But the reality was that having a vendor wouldn’t mean much if I couldn’t book the job. So, the first “done” was saving the necessary cash.

I also got ahead of myself when I thought finding new furniture was “done”. A beautiful couch was useless if I couldn’t get it through the door. The “done” that day was taking room measurements—easy!

The tension lifted when I switched my mindset from trying to force success to taking actions that were a force multiplier.

Take the Redefine Done Challenge

Are you in a similar situation, where you want to pursue a goal but feel like you may have bitten off more than you can chew? Remember that “done for the moment” or “done for today” are just as valuable as saying, “I finished that goal.” So, rather than trying to shame, guilt or push yourself into success, finish one step well and call it good—that’s how to build the soft skill of healthy self-esteem.

Are you unsure about how you will redefine done? Here are three practical ways to get started:

1. Instead of trying to finish one huge intention by the end of the year, create a bullet journal with three goals for September, such as reading one new book or taking an online class to improve your professional skills.
2. Instead of worrying about all the roadblocks that might delay you, research two How steps this week. And take it from me, don’t guess you know what you’re doing—really know.
3. Instead of being concerned that you’ve lost your optimism, try a new ritual this week to strengthen your mental health, like exercising outside or meditating for 5 minutes before you jump out of bed.

Take the focus off crossing the finish line as quickly as you can. In its place, break down the problem into smaller steps, finish each step to the best of your ability with intention, depth, and even a little style, and feel grateful for every small victory. That’s the kind of “done” worth having!