Zen Garden > 95% Will Definitely Sabotage Your Success

Do you have aspirations to do all sorts of things yet never actually complete any of them? Sound familiar?

I used to be like that. At any one time I would have half a dozen or more projects on the go. As soon as some of them were nearing completion I would then take on something else. So many things were left 95% done.

Looking back I am not sure whether I was afraid to complete things or I was just looking for more excitement. Maybe it was a combination of both.

There are so many people who do this. When you step back and look at what you have done you see lots of jobs and lots of projects "almost done" but nothing done to completion.

In many respects this is a form of sabotage. When nothing is fully complete the end result is the same as not having commenced anything. 95% of zero is still zero! (mathematically, 0.95 x 0 = 0).

One good method for seeing a project through to 100% completion is to set a target date for completion. You can then work backwards in measured increments to the point that you are at right now. The important thing is to write it down and put dates beside these points. From 95% you might even like to step forward in 1% increments just to emphasize the point to yourself.

To stay on track it is also wise not to have too many projects running simultaneously. I think that three is probably a good number if you are like me and need a variation. Any more than three is too much of a scramble.

Another way to ensure that you complete an important task is to tell your spouse or partner or a very close friend that by "X" date you will have "Y" finished. That brings in a credibility factor - somebody else knows the plan! You can add a bit more spice to this idea by telling that person of your intention to take them out to dinner on that date - but only if you are finished 100%. Try making an excuse to them for not getting your project finished. Good luck!

Yet another way is to make yourself a pledge. This is a variation of the target date that I mentioned before and can be used in conjunction with it. Here is how it works:

You write on a card "I (your name), pledge to myself that I will complete (insert project name) by (insert time) on (insert date). Then you read it every day until the target date is reached. It's a sort of affirmation to keep your mind tuned to the task. Would you break a promise to yourself? You might even add a reward for yourself upon completion.

You can use all of these methods to stop sabotaging your efforts to complete projects that are significant to you. Now, instead of being Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms 95% you can be Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms 100%.

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About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice." You can also find out about the "Journey, Life, Destiny" Personal Development Home Study Course at the site.

Gary Simpson is a 7th Dan karate master who teaches self defense, motivation, self help and wealth building to students around the world through home study courses. You may reprint this article as you include this author credit and an active link to his web site. Finance - Self Help - Motivation - Self Defense - Personal Growth MotivationSelfEsteem.com