For the past few weeks, behind the scenes, my friend Natalie has been helping me map out a plan to develop my art business. I love ideating, but because I have so many ideas—usually many more than I can reasonably execute at one time—that I sometimes struggle to figure out what I should focus on first. Lately, I’ve been having trouble managing my tasks and identifying what my priorities should be.

Luckily, Natalie is a savvy business lady, a clear thinker, and a generous friend. She organized my unwieldy list of ideas, goals, and dreams and asked questions to help me find more clarity. It’s been a surprising and revealing process. I’ve had to be honest with myself about my motivations, abilities, and fears. More than anything, she’s encouraged me to move past some limiting beliefs. I’m capable, she says. And…I believe her.

I started this almost three years ago, when printing was a lot easier. Right now, there are paper shortages and other supply chain issues, so I’m having to change the size of my illustrations. Here are a few test prints—the scale isn’t what I had in mind, so I’m making more adjustments. Taking on projects like this always requires so much learning!

The process also got me fired up to finish a project that I began more than three years ago, when we were living in Virginia and Becket was just a little guy. It’s just a silly little picture book about counting…and waffles…but when I think about it, I’m taken back to that time in my life. It was a sweet time, and formative for my family. I think the book deserves to be finished. So, I’m buckling down to make it happen.

But finishing things is hard! Distraction and discouragement can quickly derail us from our ultimate aim. But there are things we can do to set ourselves up for a successful, strong finish. I’m definitely keeping these in mind as I return to this playful project!

Here are a few tips for finishing strong:

1. Keep your “why” top of mind.

One of my biggest hurdles is continuing to believe that a project or idea is worthwhile. I begin with a lot of enthusiasm, but over time, especially in the thick of the “work,” a project can loose its luster, making it more easy to abandon. It might sound cheesy, but keeping your motivation visible can really help. Put it on a sticky note somewhere you’ll see it every day.

If you’re having trouble figuring out your “why,” it may help to visualize the results of your efforts. How will you feel? What could be the ripple effects? Who will benefit? Remembering the bigger picture can help get us through when we’re struggling.

2. Give yourself a plan or a roadmap + start with the end in sight.

Having a plan is so important. You need to know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. It doesn’t have to be super detailed or set in stone, but giving yourself touch points can keep you on track.

Even if you’re the type of person who likes to see where things lead or figure things out as you go (I am that way also!), you need to at least give yourself a rough outline. If you want to write a book, for example, jot down the general plot and some possible ending scenarios. You’ll retain the flexibility and fun of discovering how things unfold along the way, but knowing where you’re going ensures that you actually end up somewhere!

3. Use the Pomodoro method, or something like it.

Having a time management system that works for you can help keep distraction at bay, and make mundane or difficult tasks seem a little more doable. I swear by the Pomodoro method. I don’t know why it’s called that or where it came from, but it’s simple and effective. You set a timer for 25 minutes for diligent work. After 25 minutes, you get a break of either five or ten minutes.

25 minutes is much less daunting than trying to focus for a whole hour or however long. And, importantly, you can use your five minute breaks for good, too! My husband uses a similar method, and during his breaks, he knocks out a set of pull-ups or push-ups. So for him, he’s getting good, focused work time in, while also reaching his daily fitness goals!

4. Chip away at it over time.

Consistent effort, even if it’s minimal each day, really adds up. This is true for something like reading to finish a book. Reading 10 pages a day makes it manageable and gives you something to look forward to each day. I like to keep my longer term projects or bigger paintings out and ready so I can work on it here and there without getting bogged down about getting supplies out or things like that.

5. Stop thinking so much about yourself.

I think this one is the most motivational for me. It’s similar to the first, but there’s a nuanced difference. More often than not, the reason I don’t finish a project revolves around the way I think about myself. I either doubt myself or the idea. I doubt my abilities. I fear what others might think about the project or about me. I think, “I’m not good enough,” or “no one will like this,” or a million other things. All about me. Bleh.

But the truth is, our tasks, the projects we work on, goals we aim for rarely only affect us. Our efforts affect others. When I get into a me meltdown, I try to snap out of it by thinking of others. Who can I serve by doing this thing? Who will benefit? Who can I get involved? Who can I invite? How will this positively affect my family?

6. Finish more things.

Finally, finish things to finish more things! In my experience, finishing has a snowball effect. It gives you a little boost of energy to keep going. I have this experience with housework or cleaning: making the bed turns into starting the laundry, turns into loading the dishwasher, turns into sweeping the floors, turns into picking up toys, turns into…wait a minute…my house is clean! Wooh!

That’s the kind of effect I’m hoping to have with this little picture book. If I can get this thing done—something that’s been simmering in my mind for more than THREE years—what else can I accomplish?

I hope these tips are helpful to you, too! Let me know in the comments what projects you plan on finishing!

LLAA No. 3: How to Finish Strong