99%? Done

It's pretty common to say that you are "99% done" with a project - there is always those straggling tasks. But, we are all way too optimistic - saying that there is only 1% of the project left is underestimating the effort. Say my kitchen had 1000 tasks - that's a lot! I know it was a lot of work too, and I suppose if you break it down to each nail, screw, or board, then it's well over 1000 tasks, but let's just say general tasks - like "install the faucet". So, if 99% of those tasks are done, then that means that I only have 10 left. Well, my list is over 25, and growing.

Not only that, but those lingering tasks are seeming to take double the amount of time that the other ~975 tasks have taken.

The problem (challenge?) is life. Normal day to day life just doesn't leave much time to devote to these tasks. By the time I get home from a busy day at work, make dinner, and clean up from dinner, there isn't much time or energy left - it's so easy to blow off the tedious work of emptying boxes, reorganizing cabinets, and sorting through piles of stuff to determine what stays and what goes.

Tonight I sorted through 2 boxes. I brought in all the boxes that were still in the garage. I figure if I have to trip over them, I'll have to do something with them.

Some of the tasks on my list are no small thing. We were left with a large section of the back of the house primed but not painted. Russell has been helping me with the painting, and we probably have ~6 hours so far, and it's still not done. Some are not a high priority (making throw pillows for the living room), but they all, in my mind, contribute to the "doneness" of the project. For now, I'm trying to have a goal and select tasks that work toward that - right now that is to be able to pull in/park in the garage. So, there are a million other things to be done, but if the task doesn't help me with my current goal, it keeps getting pushed to the end of the list.

So, the next time someone says (or maybe even you say), "I'm 99% done.", have pity on them :-)