I really stink at finishing a project

[Howard849]

Am I the only one like this? Do you guys actually "finish?"

I never complete anything I do. The bigger the project, the more certain it will be.

Example:

The kitchen, 2 rooms into one, new everything, - no aspect I didn't rip out and re-do. But 8 yrs later, 3 of 12 outlets cut-in to panel, 4 high hats of 15 not wired, 3 not even cut in... and maybe a couple more things.

All 3 bathrooms redone. They look like "hey, nice job but what happened over there? Gonna finish that?"

I always tell myself that this time will be different...

Howard

[stevewitt]

Howard, I used to be the same way!!!!! It was explained to me that when we do this (start one project--don't finish it--and then start another) we are trying to grab the exhileration and excitment of starting a "NEW" project to pump the interest back into ourselves to eventually finish the old uncomleted ones. Do you find yourself saying: "I just can't get into this particular project anymore, I need a break from it and in the meantime I gonna get started on that Deck I've always wanted." If this is you and you realize the Cycle you are putting yourself into (sounds like you have realized it) I'd say you are on the right track. For me, I was always jealous of the guy who said "I gonna build this this weekend" and the next time you see him he is showing pictures of his wonderful job....and also talking about his next job he's going to do. I wanted to be that guy so bad that I forced myself into finishing all undone projects by inviting friends over to help (fire up the grill and ice up the beer) but get it done!! After, completing these projects, then I became that guy who does what he says he is going to do and shows pictures afterwards standing tall and proud. :)

[Sawduster]

About 6 months after I finished up the cabinets in the office, I got around to reinstalling the last bit of the molding on the floor.

Part of my problem with some of these is that LOML has no concept of how long something will actually take. For instance Saturday, we went into HD and Lowes with the express purpose of replacing the small pump in a fountain in front of the house. The two stores are like a couple blocks from each other, so when I saw the price of the pump at HD, I insisted we check Lowes. Found a similar one made by another company for about $8.00 cheaper. While we were there, the LOML decided that we oughta just look at low voltage outdoor lighting for the back yard. Well, they had a set she liked for a price I didn't mind quite so much, so . . .

Well, Sunday was taken up with Church and then visiting with the kids and grandkids (they came to our house). I did sneak in some shop time working on the cremains box she volunteered me to do for her dad's ashes to be buried in, but that pretty much took up Sunday.

Yesterday I get out and start reconoitering the lighting project. Figured I'd take out the single box I installed for the wiring and switch for the waterfall on the pond, and replace it with a double, wired through a GFCI outlet. That way we could plug the transformer for lights into that and not have wires running across the patio from the idiot location the outside outlets had been installed when the house was built.

Then had to assemble all of the lights (I understand why the price was so reasonable, they had absolutely no assembly costs) get them placed (LOML did that since she is the decorator) and pounded into the ground (my job since she could get them in anywhere deep enough), then figure the most appropriate way to run the wiring.

Now gotta go back over the entire course and connect the lights. Then bury the wire. She helped again with that in the garden areas while I did the areas where the wire cut across the grass. Anyway, I'm almost finished cutting the slit trenches and stuffing the wire into them and she says, "Well, I didn't intend for you to have to spend all day on the 4th of July doing these lights." Duh! Of course then she likened as to how a nice grilled steak would be just the ticket for dinner. She'd even do the baked potatoes if I'd do the steaks. I do grill a pretty mean NY Strip. :)

Her indecision as to the final "look" of a project sets things back too, but that's another story.

[rhull]

It always seems like the last 10% of the project that's hard to do. I've taken to telling myself that I won't start a new project until I finish up the previous one. I find that helps me to get things finished.

[Mark F]

You're not alone Howard. I have had the same problem. After a kitchen remodel, there were alot of details that needed to be taken care of almost two years later. The biggest was the ceiling had to be painted, but there were a bunch of other little things. I created a punch list and then asked my wife to add to it. I took a day off work and focused on getting them all done. Having a list really helps and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment being able to cross things off. The list also helps at the hardware store so you can get all of the supplies for all the tasks at one time. No wasted time going back again and again. But the key is to stick to the list and not get distracted by other things or other projects.

I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel right now, but a long way to go.


Good luck

Mark F

[Sawduster]

Strange, but the bathroom remodel got completely done in fairly short order. Even the molding after replacing the flooring there. That has got to have some psychological root to it. It did take longer than the LOML had figured, and even longer since I insisted on taking the toilet out to do the flooring right up close to the pipe.

[Howard849]

Whew, I'm glad it's not me being a slacker all alone. I see from you guys and I know it effects me, the luster is long gone half way through a project. By the time it's almost done, I'm looking for something to do.

Boredom sets in and only something new, something maybe crazy (for me, like building custom cabinets) can get the juices going.

A friend of mine once told me that finishing is the art. Me, I'm a house painter.

Howard