{"id":6151,"date":"2025-03-24T00:55:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T00:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/?p=6151"},"modified":"2025-03-24T00:56:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T00:56:14","slug":"empezar-y-terminar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2025\/03\/24\/empezar-y-terminar\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting and finishing"},"content":{"rendered":"

OK, so I\u00b4m back home, getting back to the routine (if there ever was one). As I imagined, the week-long work trip was well worth it, both professionally and personally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Photo of some lovely trees just outside the office I visited).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, it\u00b4s time for me to resume a few other things I\u00b4m doing that I want to bring to a close. And while thinking about that, I remembered this quote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.<\/em><\/p>William James<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever experienced that feeling of uneasiness when leaving tasks unfinished? Or maybe it was easier for you to notice the opposite: how good it feels to finally get them done. I read somewhere that each unfinished task we have takes away a small portion of our mental energy<\/strong>, as our brain is constantly remembering that it needs to finish it... Using the analogy of a computer or a mobile phone, it\u00b4s as if we had an open browser window for each pending task, consuming resources unnecessarily and slowing down the whole system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a way, it\u00b4s like an extended version of multitasking<\/em>, which, as we already know, doesn\u00b4t really work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they don\u00b4t have to be big things, or even important ones. For example, today, I realized again that I have several unfinished books (due to reasons that are not relevant right now); I challenged myself to finish one of them (even if it was the shortest one), and I felt great when I accomplished that. Our unconscious mind doesn\u00b4t differentiate between big or small, important or trivial: each task we add to the list is one more burden, and each task we can tick off, an accomplishment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way, you may be wondering: why do I have several unfinished books? Well, obviously, because I started reading them and never came around to finishing them, which brings me to the proposal I\u00b4d like to share with you today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop starting, and start finishing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I learned this phrase from an Agile coach a few years ago (thanks, Chris!). It\u00b4s a basic principle in certain work methodologies like Lean and Kanban, and it also works very well for Scrum (if you\u00b4re getting confused by all these strange words, don\u00b4t worry; you don\u00b4t need them to understand the idea).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is very simple, yet very powerful: limiting the amount of work in progress at any given moment, so that you can focus your energy better and finish tasks more efficiently.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I said, it\u00b4s a very simple idea; what\u00b4s not so simple is putting it into practice, among other reasons, because the motivation that often pushes us to get something started tends to dissipate afterwards and is no longer enough... <\/strong>(I\u00b4ll tell you more about motivation in a future article).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not a new idea; there\u00b4s a popular saying in Spanish that reads \"quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta\" (\"if you hold on to too much, you lose your grip\"), and in English we can convey a similar idea with \"don\u00b4t spread yourself too thin<\/a>\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about you? Are there many things you have started and not finished? What can you tick off today so that your list gets lighter?<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bueno, pues ya estoy de nuevo en casa, volviendo a la rutina (si es que alguna vez la hubo). Como ya me imaginaba, el viaje de trabajo de esta semana mereci\u00f3 la pena, tanto por el lado profesional como por el personal. (Foto de unos arbolitos muy monos que hab\u00eda al lado de la oficina … Continue reading Starting and finishing<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":3116429,"featured_media":6150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"BinaryWords - Empezar y terminar \/ Starting and finishing","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"\u00bfEres de los que siempre acaban lo que empiezan? \/ Do you always finish what you start?","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5007,4990],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-informatica","category-inspiracion-inspiration","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3DPtR-1Bd","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2760,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2023\/10\/02\/tomar-la-iniciativa\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":0},"title":"Taking the initiative","author":"binarybea","date":"02\/10\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00bfQu\u00e9 tal se te da tomar la iniciativa, sobre todo en cuanto a grandes decisiones en la vida? \u00bfEres de los que \u00abhacen que pasen cosas\u00bb, o m\u00e1s bien dejas que las cosas te pasen a ti? Todo esto viene a que en las \u00faltimas semanas he tenido unas cuantas\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Inspiraci\u00f3n"","block_context":{"text":"Inspiraci\u00f3n","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/inspiracion-inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wooden scrabble-like pieces forming the phrase \"MAKE STUFF HAPPEN\"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-photo-10394994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-photo-10394994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-photo-10394994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-photo-10394994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-photo-10394994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8582,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2026\/01\/26\/conociendo-al-elefante\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":1},"title":"Getting to know the elephant","author":"binarybea","date":"26\/01\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"El otro d\u00eda fui con mis compa\u00f1eros de trabajo a comer a un pub muy chulo cerca de la oficina (An Poitin Stil, para quien tenga curiosidad), y a la puerta me encontr\u00e9 con este elefante: (Foto de la estatua de un elefante gris a la entrada de un pub\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Coaching"","block_context":{"text":"Coaching","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/coaching\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_20260119_121011.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_20260119_121011.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_20260119_121011.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_20260119_121011.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_20260119_121011.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":674,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2022\/02\/07\/configuraciones\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":2},"title":"Configurations","author":"binarybea","date":"07\/02\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A veces nos pasa que cuando tenemos un problema que queremos solucionar, sobre todo si somos un poquillo perfeccionistas, es que caemos en la trampa de pensar dos cosas: por un lado, que s\u00f3lo hay una soluci\u00f3n \"ideal\" o \"perfecta\" para ese problema en concreto, y por otro, que s\u00f3lo\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reflexiones"","block_context":{"text":"Reflexiones","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Rubik\u00b4s cube in motion","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/magic-cube-cube-puzzle-play-54101.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/magic-cube-cube-puzzle-play-54101.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/magic-cube-cube-puzzle-play-54101.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/magic-cube-cube-puzzle-play-54101.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/magic-cube-cube-puzzle-play-54101.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9457,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2026\/07\/20\/nosotros-y-ellos\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":3},"title":"\"Us\" and \"them\"","author":"binarybea","date":"20\/07\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Escribo estas l\u00edneas poco despu\u00e9s de terminar de ver la final del mundial de f\u00fatbol de 2026; \u00a1enhorabuena, Espa\u00f1a! (Dibujo de la bandera de Espa\u00f1a, coloreado por Eva cuando ten\u00eda siete a\u00f1itos.) Los que me conoc\u00e9is sab\u00e9is que soy poco aficionada a los deportes, y menos todav\u00eda al f\u00fatbol, con\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Coaching"","block_context":{"text":"Coaching","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/coaching\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_20220406_123652-e1784501339830.jpg?fit=1200%2C833&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_20220406_123652-e1784501339830.jpg?fit=1200%2C833&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_20220406_123652-e1784501339830.jpg?fit=1200%2C833&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_20220406_123652-e1784501339830.jpg?fit=1200%2C833&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_20220406_123652-e1784501339830.jpg?fit=1200%2C833&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":154,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2021\/05\/27\/encontrar-tu-voz\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":4},"title":"Finding your voice","author":"binarybea","date":"27\/05\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Siempre he pensado que yo no era muy creativa, sobre todo porque al o\u00edr la palabra \"creatividad\" me ven\u00edan a la mente habilidades art\u00edsticas como pintar, dise\u00f1ar, hacer manualidades... Justamente esas cosas que se me daban bastante mal. Luego con los a\u00f1os he ido cambiando esa percepci\u00f3n, y no porque\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reflexiones"","block_context":{"text":"Reflexiones","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"radio microphone","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-photo-6671687.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-photo-6671687.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-photo-6671687.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-photo-6671687.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-photo-6671687.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5313,"url":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/2024\/11\/11\/poniendome-al-dia-o-al-menos-intentandolo\/","url_meta":{"origin":6151,"position":5},"title":"Catching up (or at least trying to)","author":"binarybea","date":"11\/11\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Estos \u00faltimos d\u00edas he tenido mucho l\u00edo en el trabajo, y tambi\u00e9n en casa. Por suerte, la mayor\u00eda ha sido l\u00edo \u00abdel bueno\u00bb: proyectos que me ilusionan, conversaciones interesantes, encuentros con amigos y actividades en familia. Pero no deja de ser mucho l\u00edo, para m\u00ed que soy m\u00e1s bien tranquila\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Inspiraci\u00f3n"","block_context":{"text":"Inspiraci\u00f3n","link":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/category\/inspiracion-inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo of a wall clock","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_20240916_080129-1708792405-e1731274132170.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_20240916_080129-1708792405-e1731274132170.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_20240916_080129-1708792405-e1731274132170.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_20240916_080129-1708792405-e1731274132170.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_20240916_080129-1708792405-e1731274132170.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/binarywords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_20250317_194703.jpg?fit=4000%2C3000&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3116429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6151"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6166,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151\/revisions\/6166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/binarywords.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}