Want a Better Performance Review?

Performance review season often brings up a common theme: delayed and unmet goals. Whether it’s at work or at home, many of us struggle to complete what we’ve started. The reasons vary—distractions, perfectionism, procrastination, and overcommitment all play a role. But by identifying the root cause, we can take meaningful steps toward finishing strong.

What’s Holding You Back?

1. Distractions

With notifications constantly buzzing, it’s no surprise we get pulled in a million directions. Emails, social media, and everyday responsibilities make it way too easy to start things and never finish them. At work, that might mean missing deadlines or getting a reputation for not following through. At home, it’s those half-done projects—walls that are still waiting for a second coat of paint, books gathering dust on your nightstand, or that leaky faucet that’s been on your to-do list forever.

Try this: Write down ten things you’ve started but haven’t finished. Then, ask yourself why they’re still sitting there undone. Are distractions the culprit? If so, try setting aside focused work time—turn off notifications, create boundaries, and use tools like time-blocking to stay on track.

2. Fear of Failure (or Success)

Sometimes, we don’t finish what we start because we fear criticism or disappointing results. The thought of failure can be paralyzing, but the fear of success, worrying about higher expectations, or increased responsibilities can be just as limiting.

Try this: Imagine handling disappointment in a way that makes you proud. Would it truly be the end of the world if the outcome wasn’t perfect? If fear of success is the issue, remind yourself that growth comes with challenges. Instead of assuming future expectations will be overwhelming, focus on what you gain by completing the task.

3. Perfectionism

Perfectionism has a sneaky way of turning a quick task into an endless project. You tweak, edit, and overthink every little detail, even the ones no one else will notice. Sure, paying attention to detail is great, but at some point, it stops being helpful and just keeps you stuck.

Try this: Ask yourself, "Is this extra effort actually making a difference?" If not, it’s time to let it go and call it good enough. Most of the time, perfection isn’t necessary—it’s just getting in the way of finishing things.

4. Procrastination

Procrastination isn’t just about being lazy—it usually runs deeper than that. Maybe you’re feeling resentful about even having to do the task in the first place. Maybe you don’t know where to start. Or maybe it’s just plain boring. Whatever the reason, when something feels overwhelming or uninspiring, it’s way too easy to put it off.

Try this: Take a minute and figure out why you’re avoiding it. Are you frustrated? Confused? Just not interested? Once you know what’s holding you back, it’s easier to move forward. And instead of seeing deadlines as pressure-packed stress bombs, think of them as useful tools for getting things done. If no one’s given you a deadline, set one yourself—it might just be the push you need.

5. Juggling Too Many Projects

When you have too many priorities, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of starting without finishing. The root cause is often a lack of prioritization or overcommitment.

Try this: List everything you need to do and circle the most urgent tasks along with three you genuinely want to complete. If overcommitment is the issue, practice saying no without damaging relationships. For example:

• “I’d love to help, but I need to finish a few projects first. Can we revisit this later?”

• “Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you.”

If your leader keeps assigning more than you can handle, they may not be aware of your full workload. A simple conversation can bring clarity. Once, my manager asked me to drop everything for an urgent request. I let her know I’d be happy to help, but that meant delaying a critical Attorney General case I was working on. She quickly agreed that the case was the priority and reassigned the urgent task to another team member.

Ready to Improve Your Performance?

If you’re struggling to complete what you’ve started, you’re not alone—but you don’t have to stay stuck. Let’s work together to identify what’s holding you back and create a strategy to finish strong. Book a consultation today, and let’s get things done.

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