Unfinished weekend projects are interesting opportunities. From one perspective, they’re those to do list items hanging over our heads that we just can’t seem to cross off the list yet. From another perspective, they’re those things we’ll get to do whenever it’s right to finish them and we’re feeling inspired to do so. Regardless of how organized we are, many of us have at least one unfinished weekend project awaiting our attention. And as is the case in every situation – including logistical situations – there is always an answer. One answer to unfinished weekend projects is progress.
Sometimes progress takes the form of completing the project in a single swoop. Other times progress happens in bite-size stages. Take my magazine situation, for example. I fully expect that one day, my magazines will be organized effectively. While I tend to have very organized magazine piles, they are still piles and not things that I want to have around our house in the long-run. But I have not yet eradicated these piles…and that’s okay. I’m making slow and steady progress toward that goal.
The steps that I’m taking to accomplish this goal are done with a sense of joy and inspiration. As a result, ideas keep coming to thought as to how I can freshen the process, make my magazine binders more user-friendly, etc. I’m not working on this project with a heavy sense that I simply have to do it or that I should do it. And, understandably, progress is not impeded.
Several months ago, I organized my bathroom cabinet after I was motivated to do so. During that time I realized that because I waited until I actually wanted to organize it, I greatly enjoyed the process. Today, my heart sings whenever I open those cabinet doors – surging with organizational satisfaction about a job that continues to reflect the sense of joy and inspiration with which it was completed.
Instead of looking at your weekend to do list and feeling overwhelmed, take some time to consider how you’re approaching those to dos. What steps can you take that will support progress? How can you make sure that you don’t barrel through a task just to finish it? How might you break down a large project into brief phases? What are you being inspired to do today?
When projects are approached from the perspective of completing things when it’s right to do so and when we’re feeling inspired to do so, we feel peaceful, motivated, energized, and enthused. There is no stress, no forced activity, and plenty of progress.
* Photo by Jonathan Eggers
