Welcome back to Book Bites. You know where we shrink down those big ideas into bite-sized pieces? Bite-sized pieces you can actually use. Exactly.
And today we're going to be tackling finish by John O'Keefe. Oh, fantastic. You heard of John O'Keefe? Yes, he's a New York Times bestselling author.
Yeah, he is. And this book really digs into why we struggle to finish what we start. It's a common problem.
I have to admit, I'm a little bit of a recovering perfectionist myself. OK. So I was very eager to dive into this one.
Yeah. His work resonates with so many people because he addresses something incredibly relatable. That universal feeling of, you know, starting projects with a bang only to see our motivation fizzle out before we reach the finish line.
Yes. And what I really appreciate about O'Keefe's approach is that he doesn't try to turn us into productivity robots. Right.
Like some kind of, you know, machine. Yeah. Instead, he helps us understand the psychology behind why we get stuck.
Exactly. And then he provides practical and sometimes counterintuitive strategies for actually getting things done. And that's what makes it so valuable.
He doesn't just tell you what to do. He tells you why you're doing it or not doing it, as the case may be. And one of the things he dives right into is what he calls the perfectionism problem.
OK. And he argues that perfectionism is actually the enemy of progress. Oh, interesting.
Because it sets the bar so high that we're practically guaranteed to fail. That's a good point. I never thought about it like that.
Yeah. And he even backs it up with some pretty fascinating research. Oh, really? He cites a study that found cutting your goals in half actually increases your performance by 63 percent.
Wow. 63 percent. That's huge.
It sounds crazy, but it makes sense when you think about it. Yeah. Smaller, more achievable goals feel less daunting, right? Right.
They feel less overwhelming. Exactly. So we're less likely to just give up before we even really get started.
Makes sense. It's about setting ourselves up for success rather than setting ourselves up for disappointment. Right.
And this leads perfectly into another one of Akaf's key concepts, the day after perfect. Day after perfect. Think about a time you set a really ambitious goal for yourself, maybe even an unrealistic one.
Yeah. And then you completely missed the mark. Oh, yeah.
How did you feel the next day? Oh, totally deflated. Right. Like, why even bother? Exactly.
And Akaf highlights this as like a critical point where many people quit. Oh, that makes sense. That feeling of failure after missing a perfect target can be so demoralizing.
It is. But he encourages us to embrace the imperfection, learn from it and keep moving forward. I like to embrace the imperfection.
Yeah. It's about progress, not perfection. Exactly.
He gives us a whole toolkit of actionable strategies to actually help us get things done. Yeah, he does. One of my favorites is this idea of strategic incompetence.
Ah, yes. Have you heard of this? I have. This one really challenges conventional thinking.
It's the idea that you don't have to be good at everything. You don't have to be good at everything. And actually, you shouldn't try.
Oh, that's so liberating because so many of us feel like we have to do it all and we have to do it all perfectly. Right. And by choosing to be incompetent in certain areas, we free up time and energy to excel in the things that truly matter to us.
So it's all about recognizing our limitations and making conscious choices about where we allocate our resources. Exactly. And sometimes that means acknowledging that we can't do everything.
Right. It's about prioritizing. Yeah.
And focusing our energy on what truly matters. Absolutely. And on that note, Akuf also talks about those sneaky little distractions he calls hiding places.
Yes. Have you ever fallen into a hiding place? Oh, all the time. I know I have.
These are the tasks that make us feel productive but aren't actually moving us towards our goals. Oh, yeah. We've all been there.
Like spending hours organizing your desk when you should be working on that big presentation. Or deep cleaning the kitchen when you have a deadline looming. Oh, yeah.
So guilty of that. It's like procrastination in disguise. But by recognizing these hiding places for what they are, we can start to avoid them and focus on the tasks that actually matter.
Right. So recognizing those distractions is a great first step. Yeah.
But then Akuf goes a step further. OK. By encouraging us to identify and challenge our secret rules.
Secret rules. Tell me more. These are those limiting beliefs we often don't even realize are holding us back.
They can sound very logical. Right. Or even virtuous.
But in reality, they're just excuses disguised as reasons. Interesting. So, for example, have you ever found yourself saying, I'll start that project when I have more time? Oh, yeah.
All the time. Or I need to wait for the perfect moment. It sounds so reasonable.
Right. I know. I never really saw them as excuses before.
But they're so ingrained in our thinking that we don't even question them. Exactly. And the key here is to first become aware of these secret rules.
And then actively work on replacing them with more empowering beliefs. So it's about reframing our thinking. Yes.
And giving ourselves permission to succeed. So instead of waiting for the perfect time, we can choose to start now, even if it's just a small step. Absolutely.
It's about shifting our mindset from I can't to I can. I can. Even if it's I can start small.
I like that. Yeah. So we've covered the problem of perfectionism.
We have. And some actionable strategies for overcoming it. Yes.
But what about staying motivated and on track? Oh, that's a great question. And that's where I'll pick up in part two of our Book Bytes exploration of finish. Sounds good.
I can't wait. Welcome back to Book Bytes. We are back and ready to continue our journey through Jonnekoff's Finish.
Yes. A book that is all about turning those unfinished projects into a feeling of accomplishment. Exactly.
And last time we were starting to unpack some of Akof's strategies for staying motivated. Right. One that I found particularly intriguing.
OK. Is his concept of setting what he calls noble goals. Ah, yes.
Noble goals. Akof argues that the nature of our goals themselves plays a significant role in our motivation. It's not just about setting any random goal.
It's about choosing goals that are deeply meaningful and aligned with our values. It's about finding that sweet spot where our passions and purpose intersect with our goals. Making them feel less like chores and more like something we're truly driven to achieve.
I like that. Yeah. So it's like finding that sweet spot where our passions and purpose intersect with our goals.
Right. And making them feel less like chores and more like something we're truly driven to achieve. Exactly.
And he even gives us a framework for identifying these noble goals. Oh, does he? He does. It's the what, why, who framework.
OK. I like it already. So first you define what it is you want to achieve.
What you want to achieve. Right. Then you dig deeper and you ask yourself why this goal is so important to you.
The why. The why. What values does it embody? What impact are you hoping to create? OK.
And finally, you consider who you aspire to become as a result of achieving this goal. I love that. Yeah.
It's pretty cool. It shifts the focus. Yes.
From simply achieving a goal to the kind of person we become in the process. It's about growth and self discovery, not just checking boxes. And speaking of the process, Akuf emphasizes the importance of celebrating milestones along the way.
It's not just about the grand finale. It's about acknowledging and appreciating those smaller wins that get us there. Because those little victories can be such powerful motivators.
Oh, they are. They remind us that we're making progress. Yeah.
Even when it feels like we have a long way to go. Absolutely. And celebrating those milestones, no matter how small, reinforces that sense of accomplishment and makes the journey a lot more enjoyable.
It's like giving ourselves little mini rewards along the way to fuel our motivation. Exactly. Like fuel in the tank.
Yes. Keep going. Keep going.
Exactly. Now, Akuf introduces this concept of the lead domino. Lead domino.
I thought this was a brilliant analogy. Yeah. He argues that every project or goal has a lead domino.
That one crucial task that one's completed creates this ripple effect. Oh, interesting. Making the rest of the tasks seem much more manageable.
So it's like identifying that one key task that unlocks the whole project. It is. And often it's the task we're most likely to procrastinate on.
Because it feels so daunting. Yes. But he's saying, like, flip the script.
Flipped it. Tackle that lead domino head on. Get it out of the way.
Get it out of the way. And then the rest of the project can start to flow. It can start to flow.
Yeah. So much more smoothly. Yes.
Much more smoothly. And this ties in nicely with his advice to choose what to bomb. Choose what to bomb.
I love that phrase. It's so liberating. The idea that we can't excel at everything.
We can't do it all. We can't do it all. And sometimes we need to strategically let something slide in order to focus on the areas where we truly want to shine.
So it's about being intentional with our efforts. It is. And acknowledging that it's OK to let some things go.
Yeah. In order to excel in the areas that truly matter to us. You know, one strategy that really resonated with me was this idea of dating your goals.
Oh, dating your goals. Yeah. I love that.
I know. It's so simple. It is.
But so effective. It's about scheduling dedicated time for working on our goals. Yes.
Just like we would schedule a date with someone important. Like blocking out the time in your calendar. Yes.
And committing to showing up for yourself. I love that showing up for yourself. Yeah.
And Akuf suggests getting very specific with these dates. OK. Instead of vaguely blocking out time for, you know, working on my project.
Right. He recommends being specific about what you'll be doing during that time. So instead of just saying, like, work on the report.
Right. You might schedule Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Write the introduction for the report. Exactly.
I like that. Being specific eliminates decision fatigue and increases the likelihood that we'll actually stick to our schedule. So it's about treating our goals with the same level of importance.
That we would treat any other commitment in our lives. Exactly. We wouldn't flake on a meeting with our boss or a coffee date with a friend.
Right. So why would we flake on ourselves? Good point. Good point.
And when it comes to commitments. Yes. Akuf talks about the importance of accountability.
Oh, accountability. That's big. It is having someone to share our goals with someone who can check in with us and offer support.
Support. Can be a game changer. It can be a game changer.
It's like having that cheerleader in your corner, someone who believes in you and wants to see you succeed. Absolutely. It could be a friend, a family member, a mentor, or even like an online community.
Right. The key is to find someone who will support you and hold you accountable in a positive way and celebrate your wins along the way. Celebrate the wins.
Celebrate the wins. And this brings us to the final chapter of Finish. Oh, yes.
Where Akuf talks about finishing strong. Finishing strong. I like it.
It's not enough to simply start strong or maintain momentum. Right. We have to find a way to push through those final hurdles.
Yes. And cross the finish line with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's where the rubber meets the road, right? It is.
It's where our resilience is truly tested. And he acknowledges that those last 10 percent of any project can often feel like the hardest. Oh, for sure.
Our energy might be waning. Right. Doubts might creep in.
They do. And we might be tempted to give up just before reaching our goal. Right.
When we can see the finish line. Yes, exactly. It's so tempting to just stop.
It is. But Akuf gives us some final tips for finishing strong. OK, I'm ready.
Such as reminding ourselves why we started in the first place. Oh, good one. Breaking down those final tasks into smaller chunks.
OK. And celebrating every small win along the way. Those small wins.
Those small wins. It's about keeping our eyes on the prize and finding joy in those final steps towards achieving our goals. Exactly.
So we've covered a lot of ground and finish. We have. From setting noble goals.
Right. To finding our lead domino to dating our goals and finishing strong. And we'll wrap up our exploration of this inspiring book in part three.
Welcome back to Book Bites, everyone. We're wrapping up our exploration of Finish by Jon Akuf. A book that has really challenged us to rethink our approach to goal setting and productivity.
I know. And, you know, as we've been discussing, it's not just about theory or these abstract concepts. Right.
What sets Finish apart is its focus on these actionable strategies. Yes. Like, Akuf gives us tools that we can actually implement in our own lives to move from feeling stuck to feeling accomplished.
Yes, he does. And one of the most valuable takeaways for me was the emphasis on shifting our mindset from perfectionism to progress. Yeah.
It's so easy to get caught up in that all or nothing mentality. It is. But as Akuf reminds us, done is better than perfect.
So much better. And that's a powerful message because often perfectionism is a mask for fear. Oh, that's a good point.
We might be afraid of failure, afraid of judgment or afraid of not being good enough. So we procrastinate or we set these unrealistic expectations and we ultimately prevent ourselves from even getting started. I think that resonates with a lot of us.
I think so, too. I know. I've definitely been guilty of letting fear hold me back in the past.
The common human experience. But Finish really encourages us to embrace imperfection. Celebrate those small wins.
And just focus on making progress one step at a time. One step at a time. Absolutely.
And another key takeaway is the importance of identifying and challenging those secret rules that hold us back without us even realizing it. Oh, yes. The secret rules.
Those can be sneaky. They can be. They're the limiting beliefs that we often accept as truths, but they're really just excuses disguised as reasons.
Right. And we talked about examples like, I'll start when I have more time. Oh, yeah.
Or I need to wait for the perfect moment. Classic. I know.
Right. And these secret rules can be so insidious. Because they sound logical, but they keep us stuck in this cycle of procrastination and inaction.
Right. And once we become aware of these secret rules, we can start to question them and replace them with more empowering beliefs. It's about recognizing that we have the power to choose our thoughts and actions.
Yes. And ultimately create the outcomes that we desire. We have more power than we think.
We do. And something else that struck me about Finnish. OK.
Is how Ockhoff emphasizes the importance of making our goals enjoyable. Oh, yes. It doesn't have to be all drudgery and discipline.
It shouldn't be. He encourages us to find ways to make the process fun and engaging. Right.
Maybe it's incorporating a challenge, finding an accountability partner or simply choosing goals that we're genuinely passionate about. It's about tapping into our intrinsic motivation and finding joy in the journey. Not just the destination.
I like that. Finding joy in the journey. Yeah.
It shouldn't feel like a chore. It should feel like something that we're excited to work towards. And finally, I appreciate how Ockhoff reminds us that finishing is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.
Oh, it's a skill. It is. It's not about having some magical formula or being perfect.
It's about taking consistent action, even when it's hard, learning from our mistakes and building momentum over time. I like that. Building momentum.
With each goal we finish, no matter how big or small, we build confidence and resilience. We do. And we set ourselves up for even greater success in the future.
I love that. And that's what makes finish such a valuable read. Yes.
It provides practical, actionable strategies for overcoming perfectionism, staying motivated and ultimately achieving our goals. If you're ready to ditch the excuses, break free from perfectionism. Yes.
And finally start finishing those projects that you've been putting off. We highly recommend checking out Finish by John Acuff. A book that can truly transform your approach to productivity and help you start living a more fulfilling and accomplished life.
Well, that brings us to the end of our Book Bytes exploration of Finish. I enjoyed it. Me too.
Yeah. We hope you found this episode insightful and inspiring. If you enjoyed it, be sure to subscribe to Book Bytes for more big ideas in small bites.
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