Creative minds are full of ideas, inspiration, and innovation—but finishing what they start can sometimes feel like an uphill battle.
This struggle isn’t necessarily about laziness or lack of ability; it often stems from the unique way creative individuals think and process the world around them.
From perfectionism to the constant pull of new ideas, several factors contribute to why creative people often leave projects unfinished.
Here are ten reasons why this happens—how many of these resonate with you?
1) The perfectionism trap
A lot of creative people are perfectionists.
They want their work to be the best it can be but, sometimes, trying to make everything perfect can hold them back.
These creative perfectionists might end up spending too much time on small details, or they might keep changing things because it’s never “just right”.
In the end, the project takes forever to finish, or it doesn’t get finished at all.
It’s okay if everything isn’t perfect—sometimes, “good enough” is better than not finished.
Artists should try to focus on the big picture and not to get too caught up in the small stuff.
2) Fear of failure
We all want to succeed, right? But sometimes, the fear of failure can stop us in our tracks.
For creative people, the thought of not living up to expectations or creating something that others don’t like can be paralyzing.
They might find themselves constantly second-guessing your work or even avoiding finishing it because they’re worried it won’t be good enough.
Here’s the thing: Failure is a part of life and it’s how we grow and improve.
Instead of fearing failure, creative people should keep in mind that every mistake is a step towards becoming better at what they do.
3) The lure of new shiny ideas
One moment, I’m fully immersed in a project, the next, a new and exciting idea pops into my head.
It’s shiny, it’s fresh, and suddenly, I can’t think about anything else!
This happened to me when I was writing my first newsletter—halfway through the body of text, an entirely new entry idea took over my mind.
It seemed so appealing that I left my initial project aside and jumped onto the new one.
Guess what? The same happened again with the new project when another shiny idea came along.
I realized then that this cycle could go on forever if I didn’t take control.
The lure of new ideas can be strong, especially for creative minds.
However, it’s essential to stick with one’s current project and see it through to the end.
New ideas will always pop up—it’s best to just jot them down for later and stay focused on finishing what they’ve started.
4) Missing a game plan
Did you know that the human brain can only hold about five to seven different items in its short-term memory at once?
This is one of the reasons why having a game plan is so important.
When a person has a lot of creative ideas, it’s easy for them to get overwhelmed.
Without a clear plan, they might find themselves jumping from one task to another without actually finishing anything.
They might also waste a lot of time deciding what to do next because everything seems equally important.
Creating a plan for a project can help anyone stay focused and organized as it allows the artist to break their project into manageable tasks and prioritize them.
This way, they know exactly what needs to be done and when—it could be as simple as a list of tasks on a piece of paper or a detailed timeline on their computer.
5) Overthinking overdrive
Creativity and overthinking often go hand in hand.
When the mind is constantly buzzing with ideas and possibilities, it’s easy for anyone to get lost in their own thoughts.
They may find themselves questioning every decision, doubting every step, and imagining every possible outcome.
This overthinking can become a roadblock that prevents them from moving forward.
However, it’s okay to have these doubts and fears as they’re part of the creative process—but artists shouldn’t let their worries control them or stop them from finishing their projects.
6) Working on multiple projects
I’ve experienced this one firsthand: As a creative person, I often find myself juggling multiple ideas and projects at once.
It’s like having a dozen tabs open in my browser, and all of them are equally important.
One time, I was working on a painting, writing a short story, and brainstorming for a future project all at the same time.
I was jumping from one task to another without really making progress on any of them—I kept asking myself, “What should I work on first?”
Later on, I learned that prioritizing is key as it’s crucial to figure out which tasks are most important or urgent and tackle those first.
It helps keep my work organized and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed.
Word of advice: Creative people must take a step back and prioritize their tasks if they want to get through all of them easily.
7) Procrastination pitfalls
Let’s be real here: Procrastination is a beast we’ve all wrestled with.
It’s that sneaky little voice in our head that says, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “I work better under pressure anyway.”
I’ve fallen into the procrastination pit more times than I’d like to admit; I’ve put off projects until the last minute, convincing myself I had plenty of time.
But when the deadline crept up, I was left scrambling to finish, stressed out and wishing I had started earlier.
Procrastination can feel comfortable in the moment, but it’s a trap—a roadblock that keeps us from finishing what we started.
The hard truth is, there will never be a “perfect” time to work on a project because the best time is now.
8) Fear of success
It might sound strange, but did you know that some people are actually afraid of success?
It’s a real phenomenon known as “achievement anxiety” or “fear of success,” and this can be particularly common among creative individuals.
One might think, “What if I do really well and can’t live up to it next time?” or “What if success changes me or my life in ways I don’t like?”
These fears can be so powerful that they can stop a creative person from finishing their projects.
However, it’s important to remember that success is a good thing—a sign of their hard work and talent—and, while it might bring changes, they’re often positive.
9) Constantly doubting themselves
I’ve asked myself this question more times than I can count: “Am I good enough?”
It’s the doubt that creeps in when I’m working on a project, the fear that whispers in my ear when I’m about to share my work with others.
I remember when I was about to submit my first article for publication.
The fear was almost paralyzing: What if they don’t like it and what if they think it’s not good enough?
I was so close to not submitting it at all!
But then I realized, the fear of not being good enough is just fear, as hinted in my earlier point.
It doesn’t reflect reality and the only way to overcome it is to face it head on.
Artists shouldn’t let this question stop them from finishing their projects and sharing their creativity with the world.
10) Burnout
Burnout is real as it’s that feeling of being so exhausted, both mentally and physically, that you just can’t push any further—like running a marathon and collapsing just a few meters from the finish line.
It’s okay to take breaks—in fact, it’s necessary!
One’s creativity is not a well that can be endlessly drawn from; it needs time to replenish.
A well-rested mind is far more productive and creative than a burnt-out one.
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