• Home
  • Disclaimers & Policies
  • Archives
  • About
  • Work with me
  • Advertise
  • Contact me

darktea

capture > process > simplify

Bloglovin' Email Facebook Google+ Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest RSS RSS You Tube

Subscribe for free updates

  • Memories
    • Diaries / Journals
    • Scrapbooks
    • Photographs
  • Home & Garden
    • Interiors
    • Garden
    • Renovation
  • Self Improvement
    • Fitness & Wellbeing
    • Goals
    • Learning
    • Organisation
    • Productivity
  • Blogging
    • Blog events
    • Blogging tips
    • Goodreads
    • UK Blog conferences
  • Interests
    • Environment
    • Reading
    • Sewing
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Writing
  • Family
    • Games
  • Book reviews

9 reasons why it is important to finish tasks

By Kate Davis 3 Comments

Fourth rail bridge

Photograph by flickrtickr2009

I’m a big fan of “little and often” because it helps to reduce the resistance associated with big tasks and means you don’t work on one task to the exclusion of other tasks. However, I have realised recently that my task list is not getting shorter because I work on a task, cross it off and then add it on to the end of the list; if I want to reduce the length of my task list I need to actually complete some of the tasks. The oldest two outstanding tasks I can think of are a dress I was making for a wedding in 2006 and the thank you cards from when my daughter was born; she is now 3 and I’ve had a second baby!

I’ve been thinking about this over the last few weeks and compiled a list of reasons why it is important to finish tasks. In the hope that I’m not the only person with outstanding tasks I’m sharing the list to inspire you to finish tasks.

It is important to finish tasks:

  • so you don’t waste time working out where you were
  • so you don’t forget your intentions for the tasks e.g. what you were going to write in the letter
  • to get the wonderful glow when you know you’ve really completed a task
  • because the time spent on an unfinished task is lost time as could have spent it on something else
  • to reduce the build up of negative feeling each time you remember you haven’t completed a task
  • to reduce the length of your task list enabling you to spend more time on the things you really want to do
  • to reduce the likelihood of mislaying things, for instance where did the photograph go you were planning on posting to your Aunt
  • to reduce the possibility of  pretending you are progressing a task when you are really just procrastinating
  • to feel more in control

So, the synopsis is, if I complete more tasks I will have more time to do things I really want. It sounds so good from now I’m going to focus on completing tasks.

If you are looking for advice on how to finish tasks, here are some interesting pages:

How to finish all your tasks

How to Finish Tasks and Projects Once and for All

How to finish what you start

How to finish what you have started

Do you struggle to complete tasks? What is your oldest outstanding tasks (can you beat my 6 years)? What helps you complete tasks?

You may also like

I’ve forgotten how to be productive
What do you need for hotdesking?
Learning about achievement from my daughter
Keeping on top of repeating tasks at home

Published January 23, 2012 Last modified April 28, 2015 Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: procrastination, Productivity, tasks

About Kate Davis

I'm a working mum of two children, and I'm keen to make the most of what is important to me. This starts by capturing information whether it is a photograph or a task list. I love a process and try to find the most efficient method of doing things from organising photographs to planning a house renovation. I believe everything benefits from being simpler.

Bloglovin' Email Facebook Google+ Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest RSS RSS You Tube

Comments

  1. Feye Johnson says

    January 27, 2012 at 11:30 am

    I guess I will make it two, completing a task makes me feel accomplished and every time, I realize that I am really capable of achieving! And that’s quite an achievement! Task are there to be completed and not to be filed up.

    Reply
    • Kate Davis says

      March 5, 2012 at 1:01 pm

      Very good points, the feeling of achievement when you complete a task is great 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Writing equipment » Blog Archive » Finding the time to write…how? says:
    February 28, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    […] believe the best thing I can do is to complete as many of my other tasks as possible, because this will reduce the guilt and hopefully enable me to write at more […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome

I'm a working mum of two children, and I believe everything benefits from being simpler. Although I'm not as good as I'd like at achieving simplification. I often get caught up on writing lists or planning the most efficient method of achieving things instead. Read More…

I’m currently reading

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller

Vote for which book you think I should read next

Recent Posts

  • My 2019 Journal

    My 2019 Journal

  • Our favourite board games of 2018

    Our favourite board games of 2018

  • Playing Cards Review

    Playing Cards Review

  • Belong by Radha Agrawal review

    Belong by Radha Agrawal review

  • How I had a great 40th birthday

    How I had a great 40th birthday

Popular this week

  • 23 ideas for the first page of your journal or notebook
  • 15 different types of journals to keep
  • How to start a personal journal
  • How to make my 40th birthday memorable?
  • 15 ideas for old diaries and journals

Categories

  • Blogging
    • Blog events
    • Blogging tips
    • Goodreads
  • Family
    • Games
  • Home & Garden
    • Garden
    • Interiors
    • Renovation
  • Interests
    • Environment
    • Reading
    • Sewing
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Writing
  • Memories
    • Diaries / Journals
    • Photographs
    • Scrapbooks
  • Random
  • Self Improvement
    • Fitness & Wellbeing
    • Goals
    • Learning
    • Organisation
    • Productivity

Blogging networks

HIBS100 Index of Home and Interior Blogs
HIBS100

TOTS100 - UK Parent Blogs
TOTS100

I also write at

Environment BritMums Round-up

Subscribe for free updates

  • Home
  • Disclaimers & Policies
  • Archives
  • About
  • Work with me
  • Advertise
  • Contact me

Copyright © 2019 · Genesis Framework* · WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy