To “complete” a task, is to give it full attention. To finish it, or to close it.
It is to RSVP to the invitation, it is to be on time to the meeting, it is to do your best work in the project.
Larry Rosenberg writes:
“What is my situation? What am I supposed to be doing, right here, right now?” When you’re in the car, your task is to drive… each moment has it’s own intelligence.”
My Dad always would ask:
“What have I left in my wake? What have I left behind. Turn around and have a look… try to leave a clean wake.”
When we ask these questions, we “complete” the tasks.
When we avoid these questions, the tasks are left open.
When these open tasks remain incomplete, we see an energy leakage. A drop in personal power.
Of course there is the obvious: the distraction, the task switching, the loss in time.
But there is also the non-obvious – the sleepless nights from unfinished conversations, the tension in the neck from past emotional challenges that have been left open.
To complete each task is difficult, as it is beyond habit. It requires the effort of intent but provides the reward of freedom.
