IS BEING A STARTER WEARING YOU DOWN?

By Leah Sobon

Starting a new home project is an exciting part of home ownership. It adds value, increases the enjoyment of your home, and often satisfies the urge to move into something more expensive with less work.

YOU PLUNGED HEADFIRST INTO YOUR NEW PROJECT WITH EVERY INTENTION OF FINISHING WHAT YOU STARTED - BUT DID YOU FINISH?

Maybe this new project has bumped into an unfinished older, less exciting commitment that found an unceremonious place on the to-do list. You know – that daunting and

expansive list that has all your free time

occupied for the next 50 years – not to mention your expendable income.

This behavior stretches well beyond the joists and walls of your home projects. It includes impulse purchases such as new vehicles, fun outdoor toys, and even vacations.

We love starting new projects and commitments - but what happens when

the fun and excitement wear off and your ‘Country Living’-inspired shiplap is still missing that 16-foot piece you said you would get around to on your next day off? Or that backyard landscaping project that has piles of dirt scattered across your lawn, making the once usable space impassable? Or when that new car loses its appeal but you’re committed to eight years of payments that were already higher than you could afford?

Being a starter is exhausting – not only for the individual pulling the trigger but also

for the entire family. Can we do something that satisfies the urge to start a project while maintaining our prior commitments?

Being a starter isn’t always a bad thing and many have the ability to complete the tasks, obtaining the prestigious title of being a finisher too. But why do first responders exhibit this behavior in the first place?

Our can-do attitude is contagious. We pride ourselves on how well we make everything

work. Broke your leg? We will splint it and make you comfortable. House on fire? We will salvage what is salvageable and make sure everyone is safe. Did your cat go up a tree? Well, that’s too bad. Just kidding – we’ll figure that out too. Firefighters and first responders are incredible problem solvers who very seldom say “I can’t do that.” We work through everything, no matter how daunting it seems. This powerful mindset and attitude, however, seems to follow us around, especially in our homes.

SO HOW DO WE AVOID THE SUFFOCATING PILE OF PROJECTS AND COMMITMENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE?

NO.1

MAKE IT A TEAM PROJECT.

When we involve other voices in the mix, we allow the opportunity for disagreement. While this is often a hard pill to swallow, it’s necessary when the idea of building your own inground pool on a dollar store budget arises. There needs to be a voice of reason that can tell you why the idea might be too adventurous, or how the project might become a hindrance. A team can bounce ideas around and ultimately, show you why any project that

involves the rental of excavators, cement trucks, and custom pool measurements is best left to the pros.

NO.2

LEARN HOW TO BUDGET NOT ONLY YOUR MONEY BUT ALSO YOUR TIME.

Firefighters are the first to volunteer their free time the moment help is needed. Whether a buddy is moving, a co-worker is working on finishing a home project, or someone just needs your support – firefighters are there. Time budgeting is almost more valuable than finances because when we stretch ourselves too thin, we risk throwing our work/life balance off which ultimately affects those waiting at home too. If starting a home renovation has you excited because you’re off for the next two days and think you can get the work done, this is a good opportunity to decide whether that time could be better spent finishing earlier projects.

NO.3

PERFECTIONISM IS A WORD THAT IS BOTH A BLESSING AND CURSE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

We pride ourselves on doing everything right the first time. Mistakes in an emergency setting can mean the difference between life and death and is a hard mindset to turn off once you get home. Ask any first

responder what it’s like to return from an extended time at work and you’ll probably hear that the transition

to home life is hard. Your expectations have to be adjusted because five-year-olds can’t brush their teeth without decorating the bathroom counter with toothpaste. This transition is exhausting and it’s often easier to deal with the conflicts of perfectionism rather than simply learning to turn it off. We often take the old adage “measure twice/cut once” well past its intended meaning and spend an exorbitant amount of time working out the finer details. This over-attention to detail can take a small home project and not only double its expected time to finish but also add a layer of stress that wasn’t required.

SO… HOW DO WE BECOME FINISHERS?

We already have a leg up on the competition because alongside being adventurous starters,

we are also incredible doers. We know how to modify practices to achieve more desirable results. We just need to be able to acknowledge that our starting needs to be tailored to a reasonable set of limits and expectations. Make a commitment, simplify the tasks, utilize your resources appropriately (time included), and involve those

around you to help keep your feet on the ground when your starter mindset risks sweeping you away into something bigger and better.