DEAL WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Jan 18 2009 by Pauline Holt, Sunday Sun

IN matters artistic, there’s something quite mysterious and romantic about things that are unfinished. There’s a certain allure and fascination about an unfinished symphony, novel or painting.

However, in coaching terms, there’s nothing at all alluring about things that are unfinished . . . quite the opposite, in fact. They sap energy and leave you feeling frustrated, bad tempered and drained.

Last weekend, I came across a list I’d made at a coaching workshop several years ago. The list was titled — somewhat melodramatically — “Things that I Hate”. One of the items on the list caught my eye . . . I’d written “I hate having unfinished projects lying around”.

I can remember how awful this felt at the time . . . weighty, heavy, leaden, sticky. It really was a massive energy drainer.

I’m a dab hand at starting new projects with masses of energy and enthusiasm but, more often than not, they fall by the wayside and end up in reproachful piles in my office.

Equally, I can remember how liberating it felt when I’d taken the action necessary to eliminate all those unfinished projects.

How about you? Are there things in your life that are unfinished? Half-finished work projects? A room in the house that’s only half-decorated? A course of learning embarked on but abandoned? A letter half-written? A book half-read? Do you have any unfinished business with a former partner, friend or colleague?

I challenge you to eliminate all the unfinished stuff in your life. I guarantee it will make a noticeable difference to the way you feel. Make a list of all those unfinished items and decide once and for all whether you want to complete them, delegate them or even drop them.

Looking back at that list I made so long ago was a real eye-opener. I do still have one or two things that I need to complete — and probably always will — but, for the most part, there’s very little lying around that saps my energy. It feels great and I know you’ll feel the same way if you take the unfinished business challenge. Good luck and have a great week!

V Annabel Sutton is a life coach and author. Email her at annabel@life-designs.co.uk or visit www.life-designs.co.uk