Musings of a Dishwasher: Note to Self... You Cannot Learn It All

A confession.

I have a confession to make. I used to struggle, really struggle to complete projects that were planned out in earnest and with much excitement. Somewhere along the way between the inception of a fantastic idea and the planned end result, the project at hand was quietly filed away in the future projects folder. Or intentionally pushed off the face of my proverbial earth and never to be heard from again. 

These discarded endeavors were not time boxed occurrences, but part of a consistent pattern that occupied a part of my adult life barring a few notable accomplishments. Do know that the history of my partially completed projects did not go unnoticed over time. I was keenly aware of that history especially when I was casting the project of the month aside in favor of my new favorite project at hand that was going to be the one that offered me redemption from my discarded projects past. 

So much cool stuff to learn.

You see, I wanted to learn everything that came across my radar. I have an incessant want to learn and learn. And learn some more. And what better way is there to learn than to create a project, right? That was my thought process (still is) that drove me to take on so much. 

That learn everything approach was unrealistic of course, but being the driven and overly optimistic being that I am, I was not going to be deterred from starting something new. Plus each new project was cooler and more relevant than its predecessor. Or so I told myself. And that story line fueled my justification for not completing a project. Any project mind you. Heck yes, I did learn something along the way from project X, so the project was not a complete waste of time. Sadly, I can rationalize with the best of them.

A necessary change in my approach.

So what changed you wonder? Well, a couple of years ago while having moments of reflection, I understood that if I only stayed the course with some of those projects I started, my personal and professional portfolio would be far more richer. Not richer in the financial sense mind you, but in the level of satisfaction and competency that I would carry. Those reflective moments gifted me with the understanding that I really cannot learn it all. If I wanted to attain that elusive level of satisfaction and competence, I ought to re-calibrate my approach and follow through on something, anything. 

Re-calibrate I did. Still in possession of an extensive list of subjects to learn and projects to pursue, an inventory of what to take on was created. How I love that trusted list as it provided me with much focus for this new planned way of doing things,

With my re-defined priorities in hand and a commitment to change my approach, a project was picked and a plan developed. Truth be known, the exercise of working my project list and the subsequent developing of my project plan was actually a bit of fun. Go figure.

The real work starts. 

Work started on the selected project as all past projects had been started. Nothing eventful at the start of the project though there was a deeper level of commitment at work and more importantly, to be tested.

Like all past projects, this first project had its moments of ups, downs, and distractions. There were weeks when Life rightly so, interjected and pulled me in a different direction. That was okay and finally accepted by me. What was different this time around was that my progress was tracked and seeing that progress made a world of difference even when I had to put the project on hold at times.  

Fast forward to a few months later and mission accomplished. Way cool.

Can it be done again?

With project one done, I'm a bit fired up and ready for project number two. Project two was bigger in scope and with an expected longer time to completion and that gave me pause. Was project one a fluke? Can the success from project one be repeated for project two? And will the fortitude be there for this bigger project?

Not wanting too much time to pass between the completion of project one and start of project two, a short break was taken before ramping up project two. 

Ridding the self of an old habit.

Project two presented me with a new set of challenges with the biggest one being the length of time that it was expected to take. Still having traces of my old habit of wanting to move on to newer and more exciting learning experiences, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that seeing this project through was a big deal. It was that simple and the message to Self was embraced. Wonders what a deep breath and inner dialogue can do.

With the moments of doubt in the rear view mirror, project two motored on to completion and with that, a new sense on how to approach that next project. 

Yes, projects can be fun!

At the time of this narrative, I am in the earlier stages of two complimentary, yet diverse projects that will in no doubt be my most ambitious projects to date. The kicker here is that these projects are fun, they are tapping into my creative self, and more importantly... they are allowing me to share this experience with those in my life. How incredible is that?   

I have absolutely no idea where these two projects will lead me and in all honesty, I am not all that concerned. What I do know is that it will bring a smile to the faces of some children in my life and that alone is a reward above everything else. I will enjoy the journey and not ask anything of it, knowing that the good that comes of it will find me when occasioned to do so.

 Until later.