One of the questions I posed to recent students was, "Are you a finisher?"
The question relates to the syndrome of starting work but not staying with the work to completion. I asked the question because not completing work kills our ability to move forward. How can you go to "the next" piece without knowing how the previous one was resolved. The resulting artistic limbo produces fear and anxiety and erodes our self-confidence.
This morning I was re-reading a chapter in one of the books I listed in my recent Reading List. The book is Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy. In Chapter 8 he discusses the concept of The Master Goal which he defines as inner peace and how we might work toward that. One of the major elements that robs us of inner peace is the "Incomplete Action". When I read that it reminded me of the issue of not finishing our work. Brian says, "Each of us has within us a "compulsion to closure" or an "urge to completion." We feel happy and contend when we finish a job, or achieve a goal. We feel Unhappy and stressed when we leave something undone or incomplete."
I think this is true. It's that nagging worry that you can't identify. It's that feeling of dissatisfaction that doesn't go away. Are there works that are not "worth" your time and effort? I think so but if you have a history of not completing what you begin I recommend making a list of those things. Evaluate the list and make some decisions as to either finishing them or discarding them. The very act of making a decision will feel good and feed that feeling of inner peace that Brian Tracey speaks about. You likely will also find you feel lighter and more focused.
I have a stack of strip pieced fabric that is just sitting on the floor staring at me. I'm not going to use it so I'm making the decision to pass it along to some of my friends. I'll feel much better.
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