How I trained myself to be a finisher of things

(Author’s note: I wrote this originally back in 2018 when I had a PS4.)

I’m sitting here feeling guilty.

I have an article (this one) to finish, but I just bought a PlayStation 4.

I told everyone I wasn’t going to get into video games because it takes time and energy.

It’s yet another distraction; another expense — and I’m supposed to be dedicated to a highly productive year of making things.

I was supposed to have this completed several hours ago, but I’ve been shopping.

I buckled. And now the machine — boxed — is sitting there by the TV looking at me, shrouded in a subtle glow that says: play with me.

Another prickly wave runs through my chest.

“Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they started.” ~David Allen

So this is Step 1 towards finishing this article: I silence my inner eight year-old, and I slide the PS4 behind the sofa. Distractions must be out of sight, and mind.

I then promise myself that I can play for twenty minutes after I’ve finished — as a reward. Step 2.

Feeling a little better now.

I take a breath, swivel my eyes in their sockets, and consider all the other things that will help me finish this:

Firstly, I must remember to respect the finish. Finishing is the slightly less attractive sister of Consistency. What use is consistency — of showing up every day — of starting — when I don’t finish?

Finishing things is a lost art. And I am here to master that art.

I glance up at the new poster I have on the wall. It says: I AM A DISCIPLE OF THE FINISH

Next to it hangs a large wall calendar where I mark a big red X on each day that I complete the thing (thanks Seinfeld).

The day is empty now, but I will make sure it gets marked.