Self-growth
Business & Career
Success
Communication
Healing
Relationships
Psychology
HappinessYou’ll learn
- Why do people rarely finish what they started
- How perfectionism hinders success
- Cutting your target in half
- The benefits of making your goals fun
- Why measuring your progress matters
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
Pushing yourself is not the only solution to reaching your goals
Many people celebrate New Year's Eve with a glass of champagne in one hand and a list of resolutions in the other. For most, the beginning of a new year signifies the potential for a transformation of their body or financial situation. Nevertheless, according to the studies, only 8% of them will reach their goals. The rest will wait until next year with an updated wishlist.Why do so many people lose track of their goals? Most motivators claim the first step is decisive. Nevertheless, people don't have any problems starting — they struggle to finish. For example, some say: “I'll run every morning of this year starting Monday.” Indeed, they will get up, put their trainers on and run. Possibly, most will repeat it on Tuesday; some will continue the exercise on Wednesday. Yet few will work towards that goal regularly.
We respect those who begin but admire the success of those who finish.
The typical way to achieve our desires lies in working hard and struggling until we exhaust ourselves. To many people, that is the price of success. While that may be true for some, there are thousands of disappointed people whose dreams remain unfulfilled. Why? Because when we chase something blindly and push ourselves over our limits, we become critical of ourselves, scrutinizing and diminishing little victories. We end up convincing ourselves that we are not enough, even for ourselves.The solution is simple: the less we demand perfection, the greater chance we give ourselves to finish what we started. When we don't bother about how great something should be, we work on it without stress and anxiety.Follow along to learn how to attain your goals without frustration and disappointment, and discover the secret ingredient of success that will prevent procrastination on your way to dreams.
second KEY POINT
Perfectionism kills your progress
People plan their goals and build day-by-day schemes to attain them — nevertheless, only some stick to those arrangements. For example, imagine that you decide to take a course. You spend days choosing the best one, then pay for it and mark the first day in the calendar. However, the second day may be busy, and you pass on the studies promising yourself that you'll attend two classes tomorrow. Week after week, you'll keep postponing the promise.By not keeping your word, you'll stop trusting yourself. Imagine your spouse keeps promising they will go to the theater with you, but they find excuses every time you remind them. Would you still trust them next time? Probably not.The reason for putting off the planned things lies in the desire to make everything perfect. We don't want to be better dancers or writers — we want to be the best. This overestimation puts us in a position where we dream about the highest level but don't have enough experience and knowledge to get there. Frustrated, we leap from hope to disappointment. Motivational books push us to try harder and persevere. Yet, no one says it's okay to interrupt the process and resume it later.We may be brave enough to take the first step, but perfectionism prevents us from taking the second, third, and every next step. It's not easy to eradicate this habit. Since childhood, we have strived to be the best at everything we do. Parents push their children to get the highest grades and praise when they are the first in the class. Nevertheless, we put immense pressure on our shoulders by idealizing the top place. We cannot be perfect at everything. And even if we are the most successful in one field, it will not last forever.
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first KEY POINT
The bigger the goal, the greater the pressure
second KEY POINT
By putting time into one life area, you must take it from another
third KEY POINT
Make your aim attainable. Make it fun
fourth KEY POINT
Those who never leave their hiding places will never succeed
fifth KEY POINT
When you measure your progress, your confidence rises
sixth KEY POINT
People give up because they fear the outcome
seventh KEY POINT
Conclusion
Related summaries
Frequently asked questions
What is Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done about?
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done, written by Jon Acuff, focuses on overcoming procrastination and the fear of not completing tasks. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing progress over perfection, offering actionable strategies for achieving your goals.
What are the key takeaways from Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done?
Key takeaways from Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done include prioritizing completion over perfection, setting realistic expectations, and understanding that done is better than perfect. Acuff encourages readers to tackle procrastination with practical tips and a mindset shift that promotes productivity.
Is Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done worth reading?
Yes, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done is worth reading, especially for those struggling with procrastination or perfectionism. Jon Acuff's engaging style and pragmatic advice make it an insightful read for anyone looking to boost their productivity and accomplish more.
How many pages is Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done and when was it published?
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done is 224 pages long and was published on December 26, 2017. This length provides a concise yet comprehensive guide to overcoming barriers to accomplishment.
How can I apply the principles from Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done in my life?
You can apply the principles from Finish by setting small, attainable goals and celebrating each completion. Jon Acuff suggests using the '90% rule,' where you focus on finishing tasks rather than achieving perfect outcomes, thereby fostering a habit of consistent progress.