# Finishing what I started Do you have any good recommendations about how to learn to finish what you started? I’ve always had a lot of trouble with bringing my ideas to finishing because I realize I usually do like know enough to produce the finished product I envision a lot of the time and I end up giving up or getting distracted by something else that seems more important or that I can be productive at ## The Wart of Art 1. **Identification of Resistance**: Pressfield argues that Resistance is an internal enemy that manifests in various forms such as procrastination, self-doubt, and even fear. This force can be highly deceptive, sometimes masking itself as a concern for others or a need for more preparation. The first step in combating it is to acknowledge its presence, which then allows you to actively fight against it. Ignoring or being unaware of Resistance only strengthens it. 2. **Professionalism**: In Pressfield's view, one combats Resistance by becoming a "professional" as opposed to an "amateur." A professional is committed, shows up every day, and treats their work with the respect it deserves. This is contrasted with the amateur who is inconsistent and more susceptible to the whims of Resistance. By setting a disciplined schedule and sticking to it, you make it a habit to push against Resistance regularly. 3. **The Role of Fear**: Fear often serves as an indicator of something significant. According to Pressfield, if you're feeling fear, it means that the task at hand matters, and thus it's exactly what you should be doing. Instead of interpreting fear as a stop sign, you should view it as a compass pointing you toward actions that are both meaningful and transformative. 4. **Hierarchical vs. Territorial Mindset**: The hierarchical mindset is concerned with how we are perceived by others, whereas the territorial mindset focuses on the intrinsic satisfaction of the work itself. Operating from a territorial mindset frees you from the emotional ups and downs tied to external validation and allows you to derive fulfillment from the work. This mindset is more sustainable in the long term and enables you to resist distractions more effectively. 5. **The Muses and Inspiration**: Pressfield also discusses the almost mystical elements of creativity, drawing on the idea of the "Muses" from Greek mythology. He suggests that when you make a serious commitment to your work, inspiration will follow. It's as if by showing up and pushing through Resistance, you attract the forces that help you create and succeed. Each of these aspects is essentially a strategy or lens through which you can better understand and overcome the barriers to completing meaningful work, rooted in the larger battle against Resistance. ## The One Thing Do you know about the book “The One Thing”? How might I fond balance between wanting to be creatively productive and professionally successful in multiple areas of interest where I am managing multiple projects? Yes, "The One Thing" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan focuses on the power of concentrating on a single, most important task at any given time. The central thesis posits that spreading yourself too thin across multiple projects or tasks leads to mediocre results. By zeroing in on one thing that matters most, you can achieve more meaningful outcomes. Balancing creativity and professional success across multiple projects can be challenging but not impossible. Here are some suggestions that align with a proof-oriented, scientific approach: 1. **Prioritization**: Use a weighted decision matrix or similar tool to prioritize your projects based on factors like impact, urgency, and personal satisfaction. This can help you identify what needs your attention most. 2. **Time Blocking**: Borrowing from "The One Thing," allocate specific blocks of uninterrupted time to work on each project. This aligns with the 'deep work' philosophy as well, ensuring high-quality output. 3. **Incremental Progress**: Divide each project into smaller tasks and milestones. The principle here is akin to agile development, where incremental progress is tracked and adjustments are made accordingly. 4. **Resource Allocation**: Determine how much time, energy, and resources each project requires and plan accordingly. Make sure not to overcommit to any single project at the expense of others unless it's strategically necessary. 5. **Feedback Loops**: Create a system to collect feedback, both quantitative and qualitative, on your performance and the impact of your projects. Analyze this data periodically to make informed adjustments to your approach. 6. **Mental Switching**: Be mindful of the cognitive load involved in switching between different types of work. Allow buffer time or engage in activities that help transition your mindset between projects. 7. **Rest and Reflect**: It's equally important to set aside time for rest and reflection. This can be an opportunity to assess your progress and make adjustments, reducing the influence of "Resistance" as described in "The War of Art." By employing these strategies, you can strive for a balance that allows you to be both creatively productive and professionally successful across multiple areas of interest. ## Productivity Portfolio Pursuing multiple interests doesn't have to be a zero-sum game where time spent on one detracts from another. The key is in effective organization and understanding that each interest can complement, rather than compete with, the others. Here's how you can organize your time blocks: ### Time Management Strategies: 1. **Rotating Sprints**: Use an agile approach to allocate "sprints" of time to different interests. One week could be focused on coding in Scala, and the next on Flutter development, for instance. 2. **Polyphasic Activity**: Allocate specific days or half-days to different interests. For example, Monday could be dedicated to functional programming and Tuesday to math-related tasks. 3. **Pomodoro Technique**: Use a timer to work in short, focused bursts (typically 25 minutes), followed by a 5-minute break. This can help you rotate between interests within a single day without feeling overwhelmed. 4. **Interleave Learning**: Studies in cognitive science suggest that interleaving different topics can improve retention and creative problem-solving. Use this principle to mix tasks or learning objectives from different interests within the same time block. 5. **Strategic Synergy**: Identify ways your interests overlap. For example, you might find that understanding a mathematical concept helps you write more efficient Scala code. 6. **Time Buffer**: Insert buffer periods between blocks of time dedicated to different interests. This can help your brain transition more smoothly from one subject to another. 7. **Review & Reflect**: At the end of each week or month, review your progress in each area. This review is similar to an agile retrospective and helps you adjust your schedule and priorities as needed. ### Mindset Adjustments: 1. **Complementary Skills**: Recognize that skills and knowledge in one area can enhance your capabilities in another. For example, your understanding of math could significantly benefit your programming work. 2. **Broadening Horizons**: Multiple interests make you a more rounded individual and can provide a break from monotony, reducing burnout risks in any single area. 3. **Life Portfolio**: Think of your interests as a portfolio of investments in your life. Diversification can provide a sort of emotional and intellectual hedge against uncertainty and changing circumstances. Given your background and preference for proof-oriented methods, you can measure the effectiveness of these strategies through tracking your progress in each area and analyzing how well you're able to maintain balance and meet your goals.