We always seem to go through phases when it comes to projects. Sometimes we’re super motivated and manage to get loads done and other times our projects just seem to drag on forever, which is especially true for actually completely finishing projects.
We always seem to get about 95% there and then are so eager to share the project that we tend to call it complete but in reality we often skip the final step – and often crucial – part of projects which can make the difference between an okay result and a perfect & professional finish.
We’re all well aware that what we see in blogworld isn’t necessarily real life and that all of the pretty images that we see around the internet aren’t necessarily a true representation of what someone’s space / home / life actually look like.
As much as I wish our home was perfect, I know that it’s far from it. So, with our confessions out of the way, it’s time to actually do something about it! Over the next month we’re really going to focus on getting things completed and we’re setting ourselves a challenge that we hope you’ll join us in!
I’m sure that we’re not alone in struggling to finish things and I’m sure that you have a project or two that you’ve been putting off, too.
We’d love if you would join us in a Little House On The Corner Get Things Done Challenge!
The idea is to set yourself the goal of completing 3 things that you’ve started and getting them done within the next four weeks. They don’t have to be huge things and can be as simple and quick as you’d like. The only goal is to get things done!
These are our goals:
1. Paint picture rail in master bedroom
2. Finish stripping guest bedroom doorframe & paint it
3. Paint skirting board in dining room
Our projects are of course DIY related, but yours don’t have to be. They could be anything you like!
Leave your goals in the comments! I’m sure that they’ll seem less daunting once you’ve written them down. By openly sharing our goals (and yours!) we’re more accountable, which will hopefully give us an extra boost to get things done.
We’ll check back in in a month and share how we got on! Hopefully we’ll not only have a few more boxes ticked on our to-do list, but we’ll also be able to share a load of before and after pictures and show what a difference actually finishing things can make.
We’re so excited to hear what your goals are! What are your top three goals to get completed? Do you have any DIY confessions you’d like to make?
PS. As well as sharing our own results, we’d love to share some of your achievements, too! Just send us an email (to [email protected]) with your results (ideally before and after images) and we’ll do our best to feature them. Or, if you have a blog – share the result there! We’ll all deserve a big pat on the back for getting stuff done we’ve been putting off!
PPS. In case you missed it, we’re nominated for an Amara Interior Blog Award! Exciting, right?! To be within a chance of making it in to the top 5 shortlist we need your vote. If you think we’re worthy, you can vote for us in the Best DIY & Crafts blog category here! (If not, it’s still a great place to discover some fab new blogs, too.)
Lucy says
Can my 4 weeks start from today? (bit behind sorry!):
1) Finish sanding and painting the kitchen cabinet frames and reattach the cupboard doors and drawer fronts (we’ve been living with naked cupboards for a little while now)
2) Pick and install new cupboard/drawer hardware
3) Finally finish re-attaching the doors to the upstairs cupboard (yeah, almost a year since I started that particular job!)
Cheers guys :)
Christine says
Haha, of course they can! I totally confess to not actually having started on any of our projects yet!
Cx
Lins @Boo & Maddie says
Ooh I love getting goals out there, it’s the only real way of getting things done. So my 3 challenges would be:
1) Finally painting the fireplace around our logburner (remember I emailed you about it some time ago, still not done!)
2) Clearing a ton of ivy, repainting the fence behind it and making space for our wood store
3) Touching up the paint on the en-suite bathroom ceiling which has flaked since I did it originally.
Thanks for laying down the gauntlet!! X
Christine says
Yay, I’m totally loving that you’re joining in Lins! That reminds me, I could do with clearing some ivy, too!
Cx
Sarah Donnison says
what a great idea! We renovated a house and moved in during March. There are still so any small jobs to finish off, so much harder to do when the house is occupied!
1. Finish grouting kitchen tiles – half done!
2. Finish new coving in 2 rooms where we put up a new dividing wall.
3. Paint coving in dining room where I stupidly painted the walls pale blue first in my rush to get things done before we moved in. I’ve been putting this fiddly job off ever since!
Good luck with all your completion jobs.
Sarah x
Christine says
They’re great jobs to be finishing Sarah! We’re very guilty of rushing things and then regretting it because we ended up making more work for ourselves – always happy to hear that we’re not the only ones!
Cx
Ashley says
1. Install wooden window ledge in otherwise finished living room.
2. Repaint porch… After rain foiled last attempt and now splattered with black dirt and rain drop marks.
3. Stain wooden bench… It’s been stripped and ready to go for weeks.
Christine says
Glad you’re joining in with the challenge Ashley! We’re definitely feeling the pressure to really get things done now that we’re not alone in the challenge.
Cx
Cindy says
Ouch Now I have to do it! (Thanks for the motivation)
1. Attach the foot board I made, to the bed.
2. Finish painting exterior trim
3. Haul away the brush pile beside the garage.
Christine says
So happy you’re joining us in this challenge Cindy!
Good luck with your goals!
Cx
Helen says
I’m doing a staircase restoration too as well as decorating our hallway. Want to have it done before Christmas. Paint nearly all off, just the dreaded sanding to do.
Christine says
Wow, that sounds like a huge job! Will keep my fingers crossed that everything runs smoothly!
Cx
Kerrie says
This is a fabulous idea – I could definitely use this challenge to get a few things done.
1. sand and paint the french doors I had installed 2 years ago – yep, its that bad
2. paint a couple of spots in the kitchen and hall that need touchups
3. paint the area around the front door – yep, also been on the list for 2 years
I’ll make sure I get photos for you.
Thanks for this idea, cheers
Christine says
Yay, glad we’re not alone! We have stuff we’be been meaning to do for way longer than two years – there’s nothing wrong with taking your time (or at least that’s what we keep telling ourselves!)
Cx