The Bible says, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, KJV). Or, as another version puts it, “It is better to finish something than to start it” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, NCV).
That wisdom applies to everyone on God’s green earth, I’m sure; but it sure feels like it applies more to writers and the writing life. Can I get a witness? I see that hand.
Seriously, as intoxicating as it can be to start a new writing project, finishing something is, as the wise teacher said, better. As Jon Acuff puts it in his excellent book Finish, completing a task or project is giving yourself “the gift of done.” Whether it’s a book proposal, article draft, query, blog post, grant application, or something else, finishing really is a gift you give to yourself, in at least these six ways:
It boosts your self-esteem.
Many people would describe themselves as “great starters” but “lousy finishers.” Who wants to think of oneself that way? When you finish something, you put the lie to that attitude. It fosters a stronger, better self-image.
It clears space in your head.
One of the many reasons I love checking off the items on my to-do list is that, once it’s checked off, I don’t have to think about it or worry about it anymore. It’s done and gone, mentally speaking. I can relax. I can move on.
It clears time in your schedule.
I confess that I’m OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and also a cheapskate. So, I love it when I pay off a debt—a car loan or nine-months-same-as-cash sorta deal. It means that amount can then be applied to savings or my donut addiction. The same kind of thing happens when I finish a writing project. Those hours or days that I devoted to, say, my book Nobody Loves You but Your Mother … And She Could Be Jivin’ Too are now freed up for something else, just as good.
It teaches you.
Each of my fifty books have taught me something. Some have taught me more than one thing. If I’d kept them in The Drawer of Unfinished Undertakings, I would’ve missed those lessons and skills.
It opens the door to possibility.
An unfinished proposal won’t get an offer, an unfinished book won’t make any money, an unfinished devotion can’t change a life. It’s the finished project that opens doors, wins awards, and propels you toward the next open door.
It has a snowball effect.
Maybe you’ve experienced this phenomenon: You finally complete that long-delayed piece of writing and check it off your list and, before you know it, another is done, as if by magic! It’s not magic, of course; it’s all about energy and momentum. But finishing—at least in my experience—tends to beget more finishing, and on and on it goes.
So, why not make this the year you give yourself “the gift of done”? I hope you will.
Do these benefits of finishing resonate with you? Why or why not? Do you have any to add? Refute? Dismiss? Protest? Do tell, in the comments.
The Cuts of Success
I’m 3/4 of the way done with a Bible study series. Life took me on a detour, and this project rested in my Drawer of Unfinished Undertakings. The detour is now done. It’s time to pull the Bible study out of the drawer. Thank you, Bob, for this affirmation of the nudge of the Spirit that I’ve been ignoring: get it done!
Completion now is bittersweet;
I’d never before thought it so.
All too soon, it’s Christ I’ll meet,
and I find I do not want to go.
There’s still so very, very much
of life I truly dearly love,
and though deep down I know it’s such
honour to gain the Great Above,
my heart would hold to smallest things,
a wall-print and bright coffee mugs,
the skyborne tilt of fabric wings,
and best, my wife- and puppy-hugs.
Race nearly done, an end to pain;
please God let me go and start again!
Andrew,
This is beautiful; your words lifted me skyborne.
Jenny, thank you so much. After a night through which just breathing took conscious effort, your words help make the continued fight worthwhile.
Andrew! I love that and I hear you—what a beautiful psalm.
Thank you so much!
Here’s a jingling response:
Surely these were heaven-sent
To ease the bent
And broken places in the heart—
Kindling words the day to start.
Karen, thank you for this. Your lovely poem really made my day!
Andrew, I don’t know you, but clearly you have touched the hearts of many writers in this forum. I gather from their comments and from your heartfelt poetry that you anticipate seeing the face of our precious Savior in the not too distant future. Blessings for sharing your journey so generously, dear brother in Christ.
Andrew ~ I hear your heart in this, as I often do in your writings. You know what I truly believe? You’ll have all the things you long for here on earth in heaven, but without pain or death or separation. And best of all, Jesus face-to-face!
Personally, I’ve asked for my “mansion” in heaven to be a cottage on the beach. 😉 I’m sure it makes God chuckle. He knows nothing will matter but the fullness of joy I’ll have FOREVER when I’m with Him … and those I love and long for. Like my stillborn son. And my Anna, who is special needs, loves Jesus, is mostly nonverbal … and in heaven she’ll have no daily seizures or injuries or hospital runs or bloodwork, etc. What bliss that will be for her and me.
I believe you’ll still write for Him, too. And you’ll be able to see His pleasure in person! ((hugs)) and prayers winging your way!
Pam, this is for you, with love. There’s a child I never knew, waiting for me, along with his mom.
The precious baby of my heart,
whose earthly life I could not see,
is waiting, yes, to be a part
of the wonder that’s to be.
I think he will be tall and strong,
so gentle, and so fair of face,
and I do hope it won’t be long
until our meeting, full of grace
when he tells me of the time
that while I wept, he played with God,
hopscotch and jump rope divine,
on that playground bright and broad
on which his new-found body thrived
to see the day that I arrived.
Andrew, this poem is beautiful and speaks to a depth of grief and hope that few can touch. It gave me space to grieve the little ones I’ve lost, too. Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh, Liz…”…the little ones I’ve lost.”
My heart aches for you, as my prayers rise for you.
“While I wept, he played with God.” Beautiful, Andrew!
Shirlee, thank you so very much.
Dear Andrew,
I’ve sat here just rereading and pondering. 15 minutes and I want to say something.
I can’t. I think things like the dearness of you. I think my son is Andrew so I
will not forget your name. I think of my upcoming times. You are dear to me.
Another 15 minutes pass. Thank you for sharing.
Carla Jo, thank you for this, and bless you, from the bottom of my heart.
Bob ~ I relate to everything you wrote about finishing. Especially the clear space in my brain. I have that right now. I didn’t finish a big project, just a short story, which I had a deadline for. But it left me with the brain space I needed to write words to music for my youngest daughter’s 30th birthday, which is tomorrow (the 3rd). We live in NJ. She lives in AZ. So, I’m throwing a party without her, and we’ll all Zoom with her and sing to her. 😀
Of course, NOW I have to decide what writing project I should get back to. haha!
Books are surprisingly similar to dissertations. I edited my husband’s for him–it was 211 pages long.
Ph.D. students spend far too much time agonizing over how to choose the best dissertation topic and then how to write the best dissertation. In the end, there is only one “best” dissertation, and this advice spread through Stanford campus via a common, dry joke:
What is the best dissertation?
“Finished.”
Bob, your words always bless and inspire. I look forward to completing my God-assigned projects now and, like Andrew, at the end of life. To see Jesus face to face and to hear from His lips “Well done … Enter in” will be the greatest reward imaginable.
Andrew, your poem is lovely and honest,
and well done. I am praying for you and for your dear wife in the days and months ahead.
Julie, thank you. We are so grateful for your words, and your prayers.
I sure resonate with this, Bob. Thank you.
Now back to writing my current project, due April 3 . . . but hoping I can get it done before a surgery date March 10 so I don’t have that deadline pressuring me post-surgery.
Yes!!! I love finishing, especially how it opens the door to possibility as you said. Also clearing space in my head, ha! This is one reason I do NaNoWriMo. To get that rough draft done, done, done! Then I have the rest of the year to make it look good, ha!
Has anyone had this experience?
I’ll finish it tonight. Next day: There’s no way I won’t finish it today. Next day: I’m going to stop saying I’ll finish it today. Next day: I’m not going to think or say a thing about finishing it today. Then I actually finish it. Next day: I purchase that reward I’ve been dangling on the end of my own stick. Huzzah!
Dear Lois…Thanks…yes, I REALLY relate. I thought I would be done a year ago. Now, I am, I believe, in REALITY to give me a little extra cushion, praying it won’t be more that 8 days!
The past few months have been as hard as getting teeth pulled.
Hoping that means that the patience and perseverance has been tested! And my own writing has tested my heart.
Jan Rogers Wimberley
Love that! I bought my “carrot” this week—a vintage typewriter in my favorite color—now it’s time to pick up the stick, I guess! (Your name is my dear mother’s, so naturally, I like you immediately!)