We all have something unfinished, a project left sitting, a conversation we’ve been avoiding, a goal we keep pushing back. It lingers in our minds, taking up space, creating stress, and keeping us stuck. Yet, we convince ourselves we’ll get to it, eventually.
But what if the real weight isn’t in the task itself, but in the avoidance?
Why We Avoid Finishing Things
Procrastination isn’t about laziness, it’s about relief. Every time we put something off, we feel an instant release of pressure. The problem? That relief is temporary, while the burden of unfinished business only grows heavier.
We tell ourselves stories about why we aren’t taking action:
- I don’t have enough time.
- It’s not perfect yet.
- I’ll feel more motivated tomorrow.
- I don’t know where to start.
But six months from now, you’ll either be celebrating progress or still carrying the weight of avoidance. The choice is yours.
The Cost of Inactivity
Avoiding tasks doesn’t just create mental clutter, it has real consequences. There’s a cost of inactivity, just like there’s a return on investment. What’s it costing you to leave things unfinished?
- Mental space: It’s occupying your thoughts daily.
- Emotional weight: Stress, guilt, and overwhelm increase.
- Financial impact: Sometimes procrastination leads to real financial costs.
- Energy depletion: The longer you wait, the harder it feels to start.
Becoming a Finisher
Instead of identifying as a procrastinator, shift your identity: I am a finisher.
- Start small: Break big tasks into micro-goals.
- Set a timer: Two minutes and two seconds is all it takes to begin.
- Find an accountability partner: Commit to someone, and your completion rate skyrockets.
- Focus on progress, not perfection: Messy action is better than no action.
By taking small, consistent steps, you create a ripple effect of change. And the best part? The relief of action lasts far longer than the relief of avoidance.
Reflection Questions to help you move forward
- What is unfinished in your life right now?
- What’s the cost of keeping it unfinished?
- How can you shift your mindset to become a finisher?
Want to dive deeper into this? Listen to the latest podcast episode of This Life or Something Better