Why Can’t I Finish What I Start? A Personal Story of Procrastination and Redemption |

Why Can’t I Finish What I Start? A Personal Story of Procrastination and Redemption and examples of how this can affect you

It was a crisp Monday morning, and I was armed with my favorite coffee mug, a to-do list as long as my arm, and a head full of determination. Today was going to be the day—the day I conquered the mountain of tasks that had been looming over me for weeks.

But by noon, I had fallen into a familiar trap. Instead of checking off tasks, I was scrolling social media, rearranging my desk, and convincing myself that watching one “motivational” video on YouTube wouldn’t hurt. By the time the afternoon rolled around, the weight of my unfinished work felt unbearable. I stared at my list, wondering for the hundredth time: Why can’t I finish what I start?

The Incident That Broke Me

The turning point came a few weeks later. I had taken on a freelance project with a strict deadline—a fantastic opportunity to showcase my skills and potentially land more clients. I dove in enthusiastically, brainstorming ideas and mapping out a detailed plan.

But then, as always, the initial excitement wore off.

I started tweaking minor details, re-researching things I already knew, and convincing myself that the “right time” to work on it was later. Days turned into a week, and the deadline loomed closer and closer.

The night before the project was due, I found myself in a full-blown panic. My workspace was chaos, my brain was fried, and I had barely scratched the surface of what needed to be done. I scrambled to throw something together, submitted it with minutes to spare, and spent the next day dreading feedback.

Sure enough, the client was unimpressed. The project was sloppy, and they made it clear I wouldn’t be getting more work from them. The worst part? I knew I could have done better if I’d only managed my time—and myself—more effectively.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

In the aftermath of that fiasco, I took a hard look at my patterns. Why did I keep starting projects with enthusiasm only to fizzle out midway? Why did I let procrastination and perfectionism hold me hostage?

It boiled down to three things:

Fear of failure: I was so afraid of doing something wrong that I preferred not to do it at all.
Overwhelm: Big tasks felt insurmountable, so I avoided them instead of breaking them into smaller steps.
Lack of focus: I was easily distracted and often found myself jumping between tasks without completing any of them.

Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Many of us face these same challenges, and breaking the cycle feels impossible—until you find the right tools and guidance.

Enter Michael Cheney’s Training

Around this time, I stumbled upon Michael Cheney’s program while browsing online for productivity tips. I was skeptical at first. After all, I’d tried plenty of self-help books, apps, and courses before. But something about Michael’s no-nonsense approach intrigued me.

His training didn’t just offer vague advice like “stop procrastinating” or “get organized.” It was a step-by-step system tailored to people like me—those who struggled with starting strong but faltering before the finish line.

Here are three game-changing lessons I learned:

Break it Down: Michael’s training taught me to break big tasks into bite-sized pieces. Instead of looking at the entire mountain, I started focusing on one small hill at a time. This made even the most daunting projects feel manageable.
Set Micro-Deadlines: I learned to set smaller deadlines within larger projects. For example, if a task was due in two weeks, I’d break it into daily goals. This kept me accountable and prevented the last-minute panic I’d experienced with that ill-fated freelance project.
Focus on Results, Not Perfection: Michael’s mantra, “Done is better than perfect,” became my new guiding principle. I stopped obsessing over minor details and started prioritizing progress over perfection.

What Happens When You Change?

The transformation was almost immediate. Within weeks of implementing Michael’s strategies, I was finishing projects ahead of schedule, feeling more confident, and even enjoying the process. My work improved because I was no longer rushing or second-guessing myself. And that sense of accomplishment? It’s addictive.

Now, when I sit down with my coffee and to-do list, I’m no longer overwhelmed by unfinished tasks. I have a system that works, and I owe it all to Michael Cheney’s training.

Your Turn

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I finish what I start?” I’m here to tell you that you can break the cycle. Whether it’s fear, overwhelm, or distraction holding you back, there are solutions—and Michael Cheney’s training is a fantastic place to start.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step toward finishing what you start. Trust me—it’s worth it.