Done vs. Doing

© Photographer: Kondor83 |
Agency: Dreamstime.com

The word "done" was a nice heavy sound to it, like the sound of a door closing solidly behind you. Some people find this word satisfying and enjoy the clarity of turning off the lights as they head out the door. Others find the word "done" intimidating, like it might be the start of the word "Dungeon", and completing a big project is as welcome as being tossed in with a crust of bread and a little water.

A project in progress is exciting and energetic. There are friends and colleagues to keep up to date, things are happening! To check off a project is to let go of that energy. It can be scary to think that once a task or project is done, you might not know what to start on next. One form of procrastination, fretting and foot dragging can soon take hold in this scenario.

In one example, you might imagine your response to the question, "Do I really want to retire?" Perhaps you would begin to feel nervous rather than happy and excited. What would you do instead? On a smaller scale, this is what some people face each time they decide that they are done with a task or project. They might ask of themselves: Am I really done? Is there more effort needed? Is it perfect enough? Can't I just keep doing this? Is there some part of this that I still enjoy and want to do? What if this is not working for me? What else could I do?

Many of these questions can be valid ways to tackle change. They are good launching pads for making adjustments, or for starting in on something entirely different that might work out to be better. They can be useful self assessments when looking at the big picture. On the smaller scale, though, if finishing up any task causes a similar moment (or more) of hesitation, it quickly deteriorates into a less useful behavior of self doubt, fussing and inaction that can cut into your productivity and enjoyment of life.

One way to improve your mindset about moving from one project to the next is to visualize that checking off a project is simultaneously closing a door and lifting the sash of a window. It happens immediately and effortlessly. When you check off a project, that feeds back into the rest of your situation. Whenever anything is done, it is time to prioritize everything else that remains. Gently shift your attention among other tasks on your list that contribute to other projects. Lift up the next items on your to do list to match your desired focus for how you want to spend your time. You'll spend less time wondering if what you are doing is what you intended. You'll be less uncertain about whether or not you are on track to reach long time goals. This means less flailing, less reluctance to complete a project, more of what you meant to do in the first place. More tinkering with how to make stuff happen. More acceptance of changing situations. More flow among your projects, and yes, more "done" over the long term.

Shift your thinking to step from project to project in a continuum of activity. How unlike a simple check mark on a piece of paper! How unlike an ordinary to do list, where the check mark lands with a heavy clunk marking the end with a leaden "done" with no corresponding zip and vitality to motivate you on to the next beginning!

Even when you reach a long term goal, you are not stuck. The next task or project is lined up eagerly waiting for you to bring its fresh energy forth! Completed tasks are not just "done" but continually sending you cheerfully forward to stay in alignment with the grander scheme of what you are "doing."

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Copyright @ 2010, Catherine E. White, permission is granted for this article to be redistributed and shared with others in its entirety as long as links and attribution are maintained.
Catherine E. White is president of Llamagraphics, Inc., developer of Life Balance™ software for Mac OS X, Windows, Palm OS and iPhone. Life Balance provides a structure for your goals, projects and tasks that is priority driven, so you can to make better decisions about how to use your discretionary time. To learn more, please visit http://www.llamagraphics.com/