Okay, so I was stuck in this “global discovery vacations” thing. Basically, I kept getting pulled into these massive, sprawling projects that were supposed to be about finding new stuff, but ended up being endless black holes. Here’s how I finally dug myself out:
Recognizing the Trap
First, I had to admit I was in a trap. I was always chasing “what’s new” , “what’s that shiny object”.I noticed I was spending way more time starting things than finishing them. My project list was a mile long, but most of it was just…ideas. Not even half-baked, more like quarter-baked.
Setting Boundaries (My “No” List)
This was the tough part. I had to start saying “no.” I made a list – literally, a physical list – of things I would NOT do. This included:
- No more “quick looks” that turned into week-long dives.
- No jumping on every new tool or technology just because it was trending.
- No starting a new exploration without a clear, defined end goal. Like, “I want to find X, and I’ll know I’m done when Y.”
- NO MORE! (I’m shouting this for the people who are still in the “discovery” process)
Focusing on Finish Lines
Instead of starting new stuff, I forced myself to pick ONE existing project. Just one. I chose the one that seemed closest to being useful, even if it wasn’t the most exciting. Then, I broke it down into tiny, manageable steps. Like, embarrassingly small steps. “Write one paragraph.” “Test one function.” Stuff like that.
Creating a “Done” Definition
For that one project, I wrote down exactly what “done” looked like. Not “perfect,” not “the best it could ever be,” but just…done. Good enough. This was crucial. It gave me a target to aim for, and it helped me avoid getting sidetracked by endless tweaking.
Celebrating Small Wins
Every time I finished one of those tiny steps, I celebrated. Seriously. Maybe I just gave myself a pat on the back, or took a five-minute break to do something completely unrelated. It sounds silly, but it helped me build momentum and stay motivated.
Iterating, Not Starting Over
Once I actually finished that one project, I didn’t immediately jump to the next big discovery. Instead, I looked at what I had, and asked myself, “How can I make this slightly better?” I focused on small improvements, not radical changes.
Rinse and Repeat
Then, I did it all again with another project. Slowly, I started to build a habit of finishing things, instead of just starting them. I’m still tempted by the “global discovery vacations,” but now I have a roadmap to get back to solid ground.
It’s not a perfect system, and I still slip up sometimes. But it’s way better than being constantly lost in a sea of unfinished ideas. I’m actually getting stuff done now. And that feels pretty damn good.
