Charlie Gilkey understands creative, questing minds that have more ideas than they can possibly execute. So he tells them, with patience and humor, how to clear the blocks and create realistic plans for executing and finishing. As a veteran, he understands logistics; as a Ph.D., he understands long timelines and the "tar pit" that projects, large and small, can fall into when you're not making progress. AND he understands how creative minds aren't always the best at adhering to routine.
His work and website have helped me immensely to harness my creative chaos and value my "success pack." The success pack concept will be especially familiar to graduate students as it is an expansion on the thesis or dissertation committee. You will need more than mentors to get any kind of degree completed. When you buy the book, you also get an abundance of free, downloadable printables that are simple, clear, and helpful -- beyond the resources that Charlie's website offers for free. The audio version is narrated by Charlie himself, and while he seems a little bit new at it in the beginning, he gets better in each chapter. The book is conversational, fun, funny, and best of all, REAL. This book has zero % B.S., academic-speak or corporate mumbo-jumbo.
If you liked James Clear but struggle with routine and completion, pick up Gilkey's work next, especially if you're a student or career-changer or have recently stepped into a different professional world. You can't get much different than graduate school in philosophy and the Iraq war -- and Gilkey succeeded in both worlds. Worth five times the price.
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Idea to project: put a ring on it
Uber happy to discover Charlie Gilkey and “Start Finishing” in these last few months leading into a new decade. I will be working with this book and Gilkey’s insights for quite some time, and immediately had takeaways to apply. First off—it is artistically a pleasing book to hold and read! Immediately I appreciated this book embeds the cover design in the book spine—no paper cover to rumple. Printed on smooth quality paper, the graphic layout is visually pleasing, easy to track, consistent, and chunkable to read and absorb.Gilkey writes, “If you like the project (and actually want to get it done), put a ring on it” (83). I smiled reading this, with inner knowledge and awareness that this is precisely the kick I needed for my new book that needs to shift from idea to project.In ten chapters, Gilkey skillfully guides the reader (and has a podcast to assist as well), plus brought in contributions from other well-known thinkers and thought-leaders who I respect. Short highlighted callout sections are integrated throughout the 250+ pages with questions, ideas, reflective scans, principles related to the topic, and takeaways. To “clear the decks for your best work” and plan a project, then work the plan, chapters are concise, practical, and deep. I found myself thinking, “of course!”I have a very full work life, plus significant personal projects with ideas sparking all the time. An edge for me is doing my best work that is most needed by others, allowing my ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to guide my path. I have been living this edge with intent this year, forging a new path. “Start Finishing” is a perfect impetus and guide for me to focus these last few months in 2019. Key points looped through priorities; thrashing; taking idea to project (definitely an edge for me); bending time; building focus blocks (this is huge for my demanding day work, and projects); capacity; drag points; OPP (love this—Other People’s Priorities); rethinking ‘first things first’; the creative red zone; and the value of “victory laps” – I don’t do this, and inspired, already did one! I highly recommend “Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done” and know that where I will be six months from today will be directly influenced by Gilkey’s book and shifts I’m making. I am so thankful for this resource, and if you have any ideas to put a ring on, you will be too!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Gilkey writes, “If you like the project (and actually want to get it done), put a ring on it” (83). I smiled reading this, with inner knowledge and awareness that this is precisely the kick I needed for my new book that needs to shift from idea to project.
In ten chapters, Gilkey skillfully guides the reader (and has a podcast to assist as well), plus brought in contributions from other well-known thinkers and thought-leaders who I respect. Short highlighted callout sections are integrated throughout the 250+ pages with questions, ideas, reflective scans, principles related to the topic, and takeaways. To “clear the decks for your best work” and plan a project, then work the plan, chapters are concise, practical, and deep. I found myself thinking, “of course!”
I have a very full work life, plus significant personal projects with ideas sparking all the time. An edge for me is doing my best work that is most needed by others, allowing my ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to guide my path. I have been living this edge with intent this year, forging a new path. “Start Finishing” is a perfect impetus and guide for me to focus these last few months in 2019. Key points looped through priorities; thrashing; taking idea to project (definitely an edge for me); bending time; building focus blocks (this is huge for my demanding day work, and projects); capacity; drag points; OPP (love this—Other People’s Priorities); rethinking ‘first things first’; the creative red zone; and the value of “victory laps” – I don’t do this, and inspired, already did one! I highly recommend “Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done” and know that where I will be six months from today will be directly influenced by Gilkey’s book and shifts I’m making. I am so thankful for this resource, and if you have any ideas to put a ring on, you will be too!
Idea to project: put a ring on it
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Uber happy to discover Charlie Gilkey and “Start Finishing” in these last few months leading into a new decade. I will be working with this book and Gilkey’s insights for quite some time, and immediately had takeaways to apply. First off—it is artistically a pleasing book to hold and read! Immediately I appreciated this book embeds the cover design in the book spine—no paper cover to rumple. Printed on smooth quality paper, the graphic layout is visually pleasing, easy to track, consistent, and chunkable to read and absorb.Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Gilkey writes, “If you like the project (and actually want to get it done), put a ring on it” (83). I smiled reading this, with inner knowledge and awareness that this is precisely the kick I needed for my new book that needs to shift from idea to project.
In ten chapters, Gilkey skillfully guides the reader (and has a podcast to assist as well), plus brought in contributions from other well-known thinkers and thought-leaders who I respect. Short highlighted callout sections are integrated throughout the 250+ pages with questions, ideas, reflective scans, principles related to the topic, and takeaways. To “clear the decks for your best work” and plan a project, then work the plan, chapters are concise, practical, and deep. I found myself thinking, “of course!”
I have a very full work life, plus significant personal projects with ideas sparking all the time. An edge for me is doing my best work that is most needed by others, allowing my ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to guide my path. I have been living this edge with intent this year, forging a new path. “Start Finishing” is a perfect impetus and guide for me to focus these last few months in 2019. Key points looped through priorities; thrashing; taking idea to project (definitely an edge for me); bending time; building focus blocks (this is huge for my demanding day work, and projects); capacity; drag points; OPP (love this—Other People’s Priorities); rethinking ‘first things first’; the creative red zone; and the value of “victory laps” – I don’t do this, and inspired, already did one! I highly recommend “Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done” and know that where I will be six months from today will be directly influenced by Gilkey’s book and shifts I’m making. I am so thankful for this resource, and if you have any ideas to put a ring on, you will be too!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019
Top reviews from other countries
Commenter007
I nearly didn't finish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2022