The Fear Of Finishing: How Perfectionists Get Things Done In 3 Steps

Forbes

24-04-2025

Perfectionist examining a contract meticulously with a magnifying glass at office not finishing it
Perfectionism often paralyzes high achievers, keeping them trapped in an endless loop of refining and tweaking and preventing them from finishing. But the opposite—giving up altogether—can also hold you back. When the fear of failure, change, or even success becomes overwhelming, abandoning a task can feel like the safest option. Rather than pushing forward, some avoid completing tasks altogether, procrastinating, delaying decisions, or walking away before the finish line.
This fear of finishing presents itself in many forms. Some start strong but abandon their projects midway, paralyzed by the fear of not meeting their expectations. Others delay completion, terrified of judgment—thinking that if they don't finish, no one can criticize the outcome. The irony is that the longer you delay, the heavier the unfinished task becomes, creating a cycle of avoidance and stress.
I've personally experienced this when writing my book, Timebox. For months, I refined the content, tweaking the chapters, adjusting the flow, constantly seeking the "perfect" version. But the more I held onto it, the more anxious I felt. It was safer to keep working on it than to face the judgment of others. This delay didn't serve me—it only kept me stuck in a perpetual state of not being 'finished.'
One of my coachees once said, 'I keep tweaking my work because I know people will have opinions about it once I finish. But the more I hold onto it, the more anxious I get. It feels safer to keep working on it forever than to let it go and face feedback.'
The good news? It's possible to break free from this cycle.
The key to moving forward is shifting your mindset from perfection to progress. Instead of overworking or avoiding tasks, focus on setting realistic expectations. Not everything needs to be flawless. In fact, embracing the idea that 'done is better than perfect' can be incredibly freeing.
One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using time limits. When you set clear timeframes for tasks, you ensure that you finish them—not because they are perfect, but because you've committed to completion. This helps you stop tweaking and start moving forward.
To take this further, think of each task as "finished for now"—not forever. Once you've done your best within the set time, let it go. This doesn't mean you never revisit it, but it allows you to move on to the next thing without feeling like you need to do everything at once.
The fear of failure or criticism can create an instinct to disengage, convincing you that abandoning a task is the best way to avoid discomfort. But this avoidance strategy offers only temporary relief. In the long run, it leads to frustration, regret, and unmet goals.
To break this pattern, I remind myself of the song "Could Have Been Me" by Halsey. It's a reminder that letting fear control your actions leads to missed opportunities. Completing a task—even if it's imperfect—is more powerful than leaving it undone.
When fear strikes, the key is to recognize that it's normal. But you can still move forward. Set time limits, focus on progress, and embrace the value of completion. By doing so, you'll not only finish more tasks but build the resilience and confidence you need to tackle the next challenge.
Clearly define the final step that marks the task as finished. For example:
For example, instead of setting a timebox on your calendar as 'work on this report,' redefine it as:
'Spend 90 minutes drafting the report.'
'Log additional ideas in the parking lot.'
'Email the draft to my manager by the end of the day.'
The more specific you are, the better you know what to focus on to get the task done. This approach ensures you stay focused on the essentials while leaving room for improvement later if needed.
✨ Pro Tip: "Finished for now is better than never finished at all."
While weekly planning can make everything seem achievable in theory, daily planning grounds your schedule in reality. For perfectionists, this approach is especially valuable—it allows you to factor in existing commitments, last-minute requests, and your actual energy levels when setting expectations. By planning day by day, you avoid overloading yourself and ensure your goals are realistic and attainable. To build this habit, schedule a daily planning session—either at the end of the day to prepare for tomorrow or at the beginning of the day to set priorities. Set realistic expectations for quality (What kind of detail is expected?, Who is going to review it?) and quantity (think about how much time you have to get the task done).
This is how I overcame my own fear of finishing my book. It wasn't about getting everything perfect. It was about moving forward, making progress, and, eventually, sharing my work with others. By adopting this mindset, I finished my book—and you can finish your p