As a creative, I’m good at taking on a LOT of projects. Any new idea is fodder for action. Yet over the years, I’ve discovered one important thing. If I don’t finish, I might as well not start. Finishing things is a creative’s Achilles heel.
This year, I’ve decided to put new projects on hold, until my current ones are finished. I want to finish the year strong. This means taking account of where I am with current projects and calendaring new projects into the next year.
It also means cleaning up work spaces, organizing files, and getting rid of a lot of clutter in my life.
Some areas that I’ll be focusing on to finish strong…
Computer Files: Organizing files, documents and graphics in appropriate folders. Backing things up. Removing all unnecessary icons from my desktop. Emptying the trash. Running maintenance (CCleaner) on my machines. Updating security.
My Workspace: Cleaning off my desk, organizing files, and throwing or giving away a lot of unnecessary items.
My Books: Finishing chapters, editing files, and organizing resources.
My House: A good end of the year cleaning and organizing.
My Life: Taking a gratitude inventory (Things I’m thankful for), a year in review overview, and outlining some plans for the New Year. Getting a year end physical.
In year’s past, many of these items either never got done, or were put off until spring. If I want to finish strong and start off the year on a positive note, spending this month in preparation will be very helpful. As tough as it is for a creative to say no, I realize that it is necessary to move forward.
How about you? What are your year-end plans?
