I recently heard someone talk about the ‘joy of completion’ and it immediately piqued my interest. Not only was it the first time I had heard the phrase, but it also hit home because if I’m being honest, starting isn’t my problem. I can dive into a new planner design, sign up for an exciting online course, or even pick up a new hobby without hesitation. But crossing the finish line? That’s where I sometimes draw the line 🫣
And I know I’m not alone. Think about it: how many tabs do you have open on your laptop right now, waiting for ‘future you’ to read those articles? How many online courses have you paid for but never quite finished? Or maybe it’s the multiple hobbies you’ve picked up - knitting needles gathering dust, journals half-filled, or crochet projects that never became what you first imagined.
The lady who introduced me to the phrase shared her own story: she started crocheting a blanket, but halfway through she craved that feeling of completion. So instead of abandoning the project, she pivoted. The blanket became a small bag and she got to experience the joy of saying, ‘I finished.’ Talk about a win-win situation 💃🏽
How Self-Sabotage Gets in the Way
Around the same time, I came across another idea that stung a little: self-sabotage. Someone asked Chattie what the devil would do if he wanted to sabotage someone. The answer? Nothing. Because more often than not, we sabotage ourselves.
Here’s the thing, self-sabotage is often the very thing that keeps us from the joy of completion. It creeps in as procrastination, fear, doubt, or perfectionism. It’s the voice that convinces us to start ‘just one more thing’ instead of finishing what’s in front of us. It’s why we get stuck with half-baked projects, cluttered to-do lists, and that nagging feeling of being busy but not truly accomplished.
When we self-sabotage, we rob ourselves of the satisfaction, clarity, and confidence that only come when something is fully completed.
Choosing Completion Over Distraction
So as we step into the last quarter of the year, I’ve made a commitment: to pursue the joy of completion. For me, that means no new projects, no shiny new hobbies, no ‘I’ll start this and see where it goes.’ Instead, it’s about going back, picking up what I already started, and seeing it through to the end.
Why? Because completion brings clarity. It creates space. It allows you to close the year with a sense of achievement and enter the new one with a clean slate. And yes, I unapologetically love the phrase “new year, new me.” For 2026, the “me” I’m working toward is the version who doesn’t just start with enthusiasm but also finishes with intention.
What About You?
What does the joy of completion look like in your life? Maybe it’s finishing that book you started months ago. Maybe it’s wrapping up that online course. Or maybe it’s simply clearing out your digital clutter and finally closing those 27 browser tabs.
Whatever it is, this is the perfect time to go back to your planner and review the big goals you set at the beginning of the year or those running to-do lists. If you don’t have a planner yet, our Note it Down Planners are designed to help you set clear priorities, track progress, and actually finish what you start. Choose a few things you can quickly check off and commit to getting them done within a realistic timeframe. Remember, you’ll take as much time as you give yourself to get things done.
Let’s all commit to finishing at least one meaningful thing before the year ends. Let’s quiet self-sabotage, push past procrastination, and step fully into the joy of completion.
Here’s to ending well and starting fresh!
XO,
Note it Down