The Finish Line Isn’t Always The Hardest Part of a Project - This Is

Finishing the race. The last lap, runner’s tape, checkered flag. All within reach. 

Picture Seabiscuit, the beloved horse with anger management issues, arching his neck. The end of his weary race, just in sight. He’s aaaaalmost there. 

The finish line isn’t always the hardest part of a race. 

It’s here. The last few steps. 

And that’s certainly true for completing a project and getting it out the door.

Why?

I’ve found there’s a couple prevailing mindsets that can prevent our inner Seabiscuit from finishing what we’ve started. 

For the stakeholders/clients

If you’re in the role of serving them, they’ve come to you seeking your experience and expertise. They’ve also come with a need that makes them vulnerable to finishing the project. 

What do I mean?

Their need goes beyond getting the project done on time and under budget. It may be this is the first time they’ve led something on a larger scale and are insecure that they can do it, or have control issues and can’t easily let it go, or what’s usually the case…..

They’ve deeply personalized their ownership of the project. They’re anxious it won’t be good enough. This project has become a kind of extension of them - like choosing paint colors for their bathroom. 

It’s personal. And they may not see it. 

What can you do?

Be patient. Provide reassurance. Remember, if they’ve come to you, you’ve likely developed one of the most important skills needed in this working relationship: objectivity. 

For those producing the work

Like a stakeholder/client, you might run into the designer who wants to tweak and iterate until they’ve gotten it just right. This can be tricky, and it’s helpful to find a balance. 

Sometimes it’s needed. But sometimes it’s just perfection rearing its beautifully, tanned head, and you need to kindly nudge it to the finish line. Even Michelangelo had deadlines. 

Other times, you’ll find there's sheer exhaustion. 

An emotional depletion has set in. It’s like they’ve given up on the project altogether, wanting to crawl into the fetal position under the kitchen table. Here, you’ll need to marshal your reserves, rallying them to completion. 

Finishing something is wonderful, but it can be fraught with these unexpected mental roadblocks. Be on the lookout, as the end of the race is in sight. 

And like the little horse, you can bring your project to victory.