Why Do I Start Projects and Leave Them Unfinished? A Mindset Theory Reflection

 I often find myself planning projects… but not starting them. And the few I do start? They tend to stall around the three-quarter mark, lingering unfinished. Why does this happen?

Time to turn to the Theory of Mindsets (TOM).

I recently wrote about procrastination, and the same dynamic seems to be at play here. When I’m in a Knowledge-Based Mindset, my brain is busy—but not with action. It’s full of ideas, plans, and mental rehearsals. But getting out of the chair? That takes physical effort. I have to psych myself up, sometimes giving myself a countdown just to move. Motivation often comes from fear—like the thought of a guest seeing my messy house. That fear nudges me toward a Survival-Based Mindset, where urgency sparks physical action.

But then… why do I stop before the job is done?

Maybe I pick up clutter and take out the trash, but I don’t vacuum or dust the cobwebs. I either get distracted by another task or slip back into inaction before the job is truly done.

Why?



When I’m in a Survival-Based Mindset, I’m reward-seeking. Starting a new task feels exciting—it gives me a dopamine rush. But the finishing touches? They don’t offer the same emotional payoff. So my brain chases the next shiny task, the next hit of motivation. And when that excitement fades, I slide back into a Knowledge-Based Mindset, where I plan and reflect but struggle to act. Those final steps don’t feel urgent or rewarding enough to pull me back into motion.

So what helps?

When it comes to housework, I’ve found a few tricks that work with my brain instead of against it:

  • 📸 Before-and-after photos: Seeing the transformation side-by-side activates my reward centers. I don’t let myself delete the “before” photo until the job is fully done.
  • ⏳ Deadlines: I set clear finish lines for tasks—not just “start cleaning,” but “vacuum and dust by 3 PM.”
  • 🍫 Small rewards: A piece of chocolate, a few minutes of rest, or a favorite song after completing a task helps reinforce the behavior.
Sometimes I feel like I’m playing mind games with myself. But now I understand—it’s not immaturity or laziness. It’s just how my brain is wired. And that’s nothing to feel bad about.

To you, dear reader:
Do you find yourself stalling at the finish line? What mindset do you slip into when tasks feel overwhelming or unrewarding? And what little tricks help you follow through?

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