Start vs. Finish: Which Is Your Kryptonite?
The Tale of Two Creative Struggles
I once decided I was going to become an expert baker and cake decorator. I told my whole family about this brilliant plan, and they got me all types of equipment, books, and even a toolbox specific to cake decorating. I paged through those books with such enthusiasm, making all kinds of elaborate plans for the gorgeous creations I'd soon be whipping up.
Then, I made my sister a birthday cake. It took all day. It was pretty good!
That is basically the end of the story. Hahaha. You get it, I'm sure you've had a similar experience somewhere in your life. This plan never really got off the ground, because it sounded a lot better in my head than it was in reality.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone. We all struggle with either starting new creative endeavors or seeing them through to completion—and sometimes both. But which one is actually harder?
Let’s look closer at the challenges of starting a project versus finishing, and how you can harness this knowledge to push your own dream forward.
The Intoxicating High of Fresh Starts
There's something absolutely magical about beginnings, isn't there? Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington call it the "euphoria of planning" in their book The 12 Week Year, and that phrase captures it perfectly. It's that rush you get when everything is possible and nothing has gone wrong yet.You’ve had about 2.5 cups of coffee, the sun is out, and anything is possible!
Starting feels easier because:
Everything is shiny and new. Your workspace is clean, your tools are pristine, and your enthusiasm is at an all-time high. There's no evidence of failure yet because you haven't had time to fail.
The vision is crystal clear. In the beginning, you can see exactly what you want to create. The end result looks perfect in your mind—no messy reality to muddy those waters yet.
Energy is abundant. You're running on pure excitement and possibility. Sleep feels optional when you're buzzing with creative ideas.
No one expects anything yet. There's no pressure to produce results because you're still in the "getting started" phase. People think it's cute that you're trying something new.
But here's the thing about starts—they're deceptive. That initial burst of energy can trick us into thinking the whole journey will feel this electric. Spoiler alert: it won't.
The Brutal Truth About the Muddy Middle
If starting is like planting seeds in your garden (all hope and perfect rows), then the middle is like July—when the weeds are taking over, the tomatoes aren't ripening fast enough, and you're wondering why you didn't just buy vegetables at the store.
The middle is where dreams go to get tested. It's where:
The novelty wears off. Your new pottery wheel isn't Instagram-worthy anymore—it's just another thing that needs to be cleaned and maintained.
Progress feels glacial. Remember those visions of becoming the next local pottery sensation? Well, turns out learning to center clay takes more than a weekend workshop and a positive attitude.
Doubt creeps in. Your brain starts its favorite hobby: questioning everything. "Am I actually good at this?" "Shouldn't I be further along by now?" "Maybe I should try digital art instead..."
Life gets in the way. Suddenly, your creative time gets squeezed out by work deadlines, family obligations, and the general chaos of being human.
The comparison trap opens. Social media becomes a highlight reel of other people's finished masterpieces while you're still struggling with basic techniques.
This is where most creative dreams go to die—not because we're not capable, but because nobody warned us that the middle would feel so... middle-y.
The Finish Line Mirage
Finishing might be the most underrated skill in the creative world. We celebrate the people who start things (look at all those January gym memberships!), but finishing? That's where the real magic happens—and the real struggle begins.
Why finishing feels impossible:
Perfectionism kicks in. As you near completion, suddenly every flaw becomes glaringly obvious. That slightly wobbly rim on your ceramic bowl becomes a sign that you're not "really" an artist.
The fear of judgment intensifies. Starting is private, but finishing means people might actually see (and critique) your work.
Moving the goalposts. Just when you think you're done, you convince yourself it needs "just one more thing" to be truly finished.
Impostor syndrome goes into overdrive. Who are you to call this piece "done"? Real artists would do it better, right?
But here's what I've learned in my years of teaching and creating: finishing is a skill, not a talent. It's something you can practice and get better at. Put on those blinders and KEEP GOING. Then Ship Your Work, as author Seth Godin says.
The Secret Sauce: Embracing Both Phases
The truth is, both starting and finishing are essential parts of the creative process, and both come with their own unique challenges. The key isn't to be perfect at either one—it's to recognize which phase trips you up more and develop strategies to work with your natural tendencies.
If you're a serial starter: Embrace your gift for beginning things! Use that energy to carry you through the tough middle phases. Set up systems to help you push through when the novelty wears off—accountability partners, smaller milestones, or rewards for sticking with something past the initial excitement.
If you're a chronic non-finisher: Recognize that "done" doesn't mean "perfect." Sometimes finished is better than perfect. Practice completing small projects to build your finishing muscle. Set artificial deadlines and stick to them.
If you struggle with both: Welcome to the human experience! Start with tiny projects that you can complete in a day or week. Build confidence in your ability to both start and finish before tackling bigger endeavors.
Let’s look to the books!
Jon Acuff's Blueprint: Which Book Should You Pick Up?
This is where Jon Acuff's brilliant books "Start" and "Finish" come in. I actually read “Finish” first, (probably highlighted half the pages), and found it very helpful. Recently I was struggling to get going on a new project, and listened to “Start.” Here are my insights:
If starting feels impossible, grab "Start"
This book is your permission slip to begin. Acuff breaks down the roadmap from dreaming to doing. It's like having a cheerleader and a strategic planner rolled into one. I liked his discussion of “standing on the shoulders of giants,” and the realization that you are already further along the path than you think, if you build on your past experience, education, and the knowledge of those who have come before you.
The book is perfect for you if:
You have a million ideas but can't seem to pick one to pursue
You're waiting for the "perfect time" to start (spoiler: it doesn't exist)
You get overwhelmed by the size of your creative dreams
You need permission to take your artistic interests seriously
If finishing is your nemesis, "Finish" is your new best friend
This one hits different. Acuff gets brutally honest about why we abandon projects at the 70% mark (yes, there's actually research on this!). It's less about motivation and more about strategy—which is exactly what I needed to hear.
His advice to “ignore noble obstacles” was key for me, as there is always someone to help, an errand to run, or a garden chore that seems crucial to complete before I can work on my dream of becoming a skilled ceramicist and running a successful art business. But you can spend a whole life that way, and the dream gets crusty and dusty on the shelf and dies. I’m not having that!
This book is your jam if:
You have a trail of 80% finished projects behind you
Perfectionism keeps you from calling anything "done"
You lose steam right when you should be pushing through
You need tactical advice, not just motivational fluff
The plot twist: You might need both
Here's what I discovered—most of us aren't purely starters or finishers. We might be great at starting creative projects but terrible at finishing our business goals. Or maybe we can finish art pieces but can't seem to start that online course we've been dreaming about (cough, cough).
For me, I know my kryptonite is wanting to be beyond critique. Which means I don’t finish. So I’m on a mission of imperfect action, expecting and embracing the messy (and sometimes boring) middle, and just making and finishing as much work as possible.
Your Creative Journey Isn't a Race
Whether you’re more "starting is easy" or more "finishing is impossible" (or both), remember that your creative journey is exactly that—yours. There's no timeline you have to follow, no achievement unlocks you must hit to earn your “Success” badge.
The most important thing is to keep showing up, whether that's to start something new or to push through the messy middle of something you've already begun.
What About You?
So here's my question for you: Are you a starter or a finisher? Do you love the possibility of new projects, but don’t ever get to the end? Do you find yourself energized by checking things off your list, but are afraid to take risks to start something new? Maybe you're like me and find different phases easier depending on the type of project or where you are in life.
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And if you're someone who struggles with either starting or finishing (or both!), know that you're not alone—and more importantly, know that it's a skill you can develop.
With Enthusiasm for Art & Life,
Heidi
Ready to dive deeper? Join my ceramics classes at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts where we practice both starting new pieces and seeing them through to completion. DM me on Instagram for details or check the GoggleWorks website or the Teaching page of heidisenseart.com
Want more creative inspiration? Follow along for more good stuff about building a sustainable creative practice that honors both the excitement of beginning and the satisfaction of finishing.