Why we never finish stuff?

The Psychology Behind Incomplete Projects and How to Overcome It

Have You Ever Wondered Why You Never Finish Any Projects?

Remember the last time you wrote that blog post? Remember that idea you had that time? Yeah, I know, right?

to be honest, I am guilty too, and actually what inspired me to write this was that this has happened to me a lot. I've had many ideas that I always wanted to make and implement as a web developer—or what I like calling myself, a professional problem solver.

But yet, I either procrastinated or couldn't make it happen. So, I asked myself the following questions:

  • What caused this?
  • Is there any scientific reason why most people never finish their stuff or why some never even start?
  • Is it only me, or does this happen to a lot of other people too?

And from my research, this is what I discovered:

Common Reasons People Don’t Finish Tasks

1. Fear

Fear of embarrassment, or fear of not being the "cool guy," can paralyze people from finishing tasks. People are often afraid of how they’ll be judged if the outcome isn’t perfect.

Example: You may hesitate to publish a blog post because you're worried others will think it's not well-written.

2. Cognitive Overload

When people face complex tasks, they may become overwhelmed by the mental effort required to complete them. This cognitive overload happens when the brain has too much information or too many decisions to make, leading to procrastination or task avoidance.

Example: Starting a website redesign might feel overwhelming because of the many decisions involved—color schemes, layouts, user experience—causing you to delay or abandon the project.

3. The Zeigarnik Effect

The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon where people remember incomplete tasks better than completed ones. Paradoxically, this can result in people leaving tasks unfinished because they subconsciously believe they can still return to them later, even though that often doesn’t happen.

Example: You might keep thinking about the book you're halfway through writing but never get around to finishing it because it's always “in progress” in your mind.

4. Lack of Immediate Rewards

Many tasks have delayed rewards, meaning the benefits are not immediate. Without instant gratification, people lose interest and momentum because the human brain often seeks quick rewards.

Example: Writing a book might feel demotivating because the reward (publishing and earning from it) seems far away, compared to activities that offer immediate pleasure like watching a movie.

5. Perfectionism

Perfectionism can prevent people from finishing tasks because they fear the outcome won’t meet their high standards. This can lead to procrastination, revisions, and delays, making completion seem distant or unattainable.

Example: You keep editing your design portfolio over and over, never feeling satisfied enough to publish it.

6. Lack of Motivation (Declining Dopamine Levels)

At the beginning of a task or project, the brain releases dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, which provides motivation and pleasure. As the novelty wears off and the work becomes routine, dopamine levels drop, leading to a decline in motivation. This drop can make people lose interest or feel less driven to complete the task.

Steps to Address These Issues

1. Recognize When You’re Doing It Wrong

If you're trying to do something and not getting it done, it means you may be approaching it incorrectly. It’s kind of the definition of "wrong" (though maybe not what the dictionary says).

2. Start Small, Then Increase Complexity

If you're aiming for something complex, start small. With time, you can gradually increase the complexity of the task.

3. Ask Yourself What You’re Willing to Do

If you find yourself not doing something you wanted to, ask yourself, "What am I willing to do?" Have a successful conversation with yourself, even if it’s not out loud.

4. Step Forward, Even If It's Small

Allow yourself to generally step forward, even if it's just one step, on a regular basis. You will actually make progress.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most famous artists and inventors in history, was notorious for not finishing projects?

Though da Vinci is celebrated for masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, he left behind countless unfinished works, sketches, and inventions. His perfectionism, constant curiosity, and desire to keep exploring new ideas often led him to abandon projects halfway through. He would frequently get distracted by new concepts and inventions, jumping from one idea to another.

So how did da Vinci overcome this? One of the ways he learned to deal with this was by using notebooks to organize his thoughts. He jotted down ideas, sketches, and concepts that were incomplete so that he could return to them later. These notebooks allowed him to revisit projects, prioritize important tasks, and build a process of refining his ideas over time.

Lesson: Instead of getting stuck in a loop of perfectionism and distractions, he embraced the habit of documenting everything. This gave him the freedom to move on to new ideas while keeping his unfinished projects alive for the future.

So, even if you struggle with finishing tasks, take a page from da Vinci's book—literally! Start journaling or organizing your thoughts, and you might find your unfinished projects aren't truly abandoned, just waiting for the right time.

ADHD

For people with ADHD, it's different. They have a tendency not to finish most of their projects and usually have a lot of hobbies and ideas that are "on hold"—but likely will never be completed.

I once was told that I have ADHD, but I am sure I don’t. Here's why ADHD folks often don't finish their projects or hobbies:

1. Novelty and Dopamine

When the brain lacks dopamine, it will do anything in its power to get at least a taste of it. For ADHD brains, dopamine is not as abundant as in non-ADHD brains, making ADHD brains more dopamine-seeking. When something new comes into their minds, it triggers dopamine, making the new thing highly stimulating.

Example: Someone with ADHD may feel a surge of excitement about a new project but quickly abandon it when the novelty wears off.

2. Hyperfocus

People with ADHD often experience a lack of focus. However, when they do start a project, they may become hyperfocused, getting an “euphoric obsession” over it. This hyperfocus can give them a false sense of accomplishment before the task is even finished.

Example: Starting a juice-making business might feel so thrilling at first that the person thinks they’ve already succeeded, even before making a sale.

Why Do ADHD People Abandon Projects?

  • Impulsive Task Switching: They may jump from one task to another.
  • Perfectionism: Their high standards make projects harder to finish.
  • Time Mismanagement
  • Procrastination and Avoidance
  • Boredom: They get easily bored once the novelty wears off.
  • Rejection Sensitivity: They may feel extreme discomfort with potential criticism.

How to Actually Finish Stuff

Everyone has their own way, and people are different across the world. But here are a few hacks that might work for you:

1. Manage Impulsivity

Try to keep distractions at bay and focus on one thing at a time.

2. Set Manageable Goals

Use the SMART goal-setting method: Specific, Manageable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

3. Learn to Prioritize

Break things down and differentiate tasks by importance, urgency, or dependencies.

4. Overcome Perfectionism

Perfectionism is counterproductive. Other people won’t even notice if something isn’t 100% perfect (like my blog). Here’s a new word I learned: "Mantra." Your new mantra should be:

Your Mantra: Progress Over Perfection

Seek feedback from friends (I do that).

5. Stay Motivated

Discover your "why." For example:

Project: I want to make a website for Korean puppies.

Reasons:

  • I love Korean puppies.
  • Korean puppies are cute.
  • I’m sure I can finish this project.
  • I've seen a demand for Korean puppies in my country.

Involve others too to stay motivated, and find people doing similar things as you.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, everyone struggles with finishing tasks—whether it's due to fear, perfectionism, or just getting overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that you're not alone, and there are scientific and psychological reasons behind why this happens. The key is to recognize your own patterns, take small steps, and practice strategies that work for you.

Whether you’re dealing with cognitive overload or just battling distractions, you can make progress. Focus on progress over perfection, set manageable goals, and allow yourself to take it one step at a time. Remember, even one small action today can get you closer to finishing tomorrow.

So, what’s the one thing you’ll commit to finishing next? It’s time to make it happen—on your terms

Goodluck mate!