Trying to Solve My Chronic Not Finishing Problem

I don't know what it is with me lately. I have had the most challenging time with finishing things. Whether it is a big project or small, a longer-term goal with baby steps, or a shorter-term task, the items on my to-do lists grows like weeds. As soon as I finish one thing, another thing gets added to the list. Am I the only one for which this happens?

It doesn't help that I have one husband, two senior dogs who require a lot of attention and that I wear about a dozen different "hats." Before I go any further, I feel I should add what I am sure a lot of you are thinking; I don't see any mention of kids. You are right; I don't have any children, although I consider my dogs my kids. But I give huge props to all the moms out there, no matter what ages your kids are. I don't know HOW you do it!

I have tried numerous tactics and strategies to combat my chronic unfinishing problem, including taking the "Zen Approach." My life coach suggested that once I think of my "need-to" as "get-to," -- like a more honorary, positive approach will make the tasks of putting away laundry or picking up dog poop any more fun or rewarding.

So what are some of the things that are left undone around my house at the moment? About two weeks ago, I started going through and sorting the clothes in my closet. I need to finish labeling my hanging sweater shelves. I have stacks of magazines I need to go through and recycle. Andrew and I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary. I have yet to get our official wedding album put together (I have smaller ones, but I haven't sorted the best of the best and made enlargements.) Oh yes, and then there is our master bathroom, which I still need to reattach the vanity cabinet doors from taking them down to repaint them, oh, like three years ago.

You see what I am doing. By sharing all of my dirty little unfinished secrets with you, I am trying to shame myself into motivation. I hope this will do the trick. I want to start the new year with a blank to-do list. Because you see, I never used to be like this. I never used to have a problem finishing things I had started. But that was before. Before, I was a wife, a homeowner, a volunteer, a doggie mommy, a church deacon, and the list goes on and on.

As I sit here writing this, I am having what I call a "light-bulb" moment. I will often say to Andrew, "Life is just so much more complicated now." And what I am realizing is that even though my life is not as simple as it used to be, the ambition with which I add to or live by my to-do lists, has not changed. But now I have all these hats! And there are still only 24 hours in a day! And I get damn tired around 8 p.m.!

What I wonder is if I should confess to you how long it took me to finish this post! Ha! Well, let's just say I started it a few days ago, and it stayed on my To-do list until now. Here is to continuing to find the balance in everything AND get shit done :)