There is a lot written about how getting started is the most important part. Or how showing up is already beating 80% of goal. Or the famous quote of Abraham Lincoln (because every quote is by Abraham Lincoln): "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
However, there is also an art about finishing what you started.
- Some people actually spend so much time prepping, they never go out into the wild and face the real world. Remember the time in school when you waited so long until you started learning. There was no way you could actually get an A. So you have the simple excuse "if I would have learned earlier". Well, show us that "if you...". This is just an example and there is plenty of cases out there where ppl start and never actually take the battle, i.e. working on an idea for years and never publishing it publicly, so it doesn't become a reality.
- If your goal is to lose weight and you already had a unhealthy lunch that doesn't mean you can now go all in for the rest of the day. You can always win the day back. One bad meal is better than two bad meals + candy + ice cream after. Seems obvious, but I also have been there to rationalise my behaviour that is then ok.
Same goes the other way around. You're saying you don't have time to workout for 1hr today, so might as well not workout at all. Why not?
- "I first need to do this, so I can start my project." i.e. you spend more time making a plan/colorful bullet journal before actual doing the work. "I first need to clean x, do y so I can get started." Right, before publishing your book, you first need to meet your friend that you only meet 1x a year even though living in the same city.
- Measure what you do and how you spent your time. Data is real and will make you more honest with yourself.
=> There is truth in knowing where you want to go, so you are actually taking the steps into the right direction. “If effectiveness is doing the right things, efficiency is doing things right.” So doing the wrong things efficiently is actually your fastest way in the wrong direction. I am a huge believer in making a plan for your life and having a vision. However, I am pretty sure you can already start leading some aspects of that vision while clarifying/crystallizing what that is.
=> Depending on the project (or maybe forever), you should clearly declare and be fine with it for yourself that you can't do everything. So when you need to finish a certain project, well then there might be more trash at home, you will eat out more, or when your kid is born you will decide to work less to still have personal learning time.
Give yourself the gift of finishing and accomplishing your goals and don't be your own worst enemy.