Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done

Many of us defer our best work because we think we have too few resources to achieve our goals.

The three steps above will free up a significant amount of energy in the long run because (a) you won’t have to make the choice again; (b) if you lose your list, you have a backup; and (c) you’ll be reminded of the ideas you didn’t choose at the same time that they’ll get some background incubation while you’re finishing the one you did.

we’re simultaneously chaotic and remarkably consistent beings.

I’m distinguishing your team from the mere people around you, because a lot of the people around you aren’t relevant to your doing your best work.

Creative constipation leads to behaviors in which we lash out at the world — and sometimes even more intensely at ourselves.

our head trash gets more pronounced and intense,

To be creative is often to see parts of reality as tentative.

There’s an important corollary here: If you don’t finish your best work, your beneficiaries will be worse off.

Braving this uncertainty and making it up as you go along isn’t for the faint of heart.