How to Actually Finish Sh*t Using the GROW Method

You’ve got big dreams. A dozen unfinished projects live on your laptop. Half-written scripts. A painting that hasn’t seen a brushstroke in months. That one short film idea that’s been “in development” for three years. Swimming in a sea of unfinished work.

Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.

The problem is that you’re spinning around in your head instead of moving through a process. That’s where the GROW method comes in. It’s an old coaching framework, but it’s simple, powerful, and surprisingly effective if you’re the type of person who gets distracted by shiny new ideas.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Goal

What the hell do you actually want?

Most creatives stall here because their “goals” are really just vibes. “I want to make a short film.” Cool. Which one? By when? What does success look like?

A good goal is SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound). Example:

• Bad Goal: “I want to finish my book.”

• Good Goal: “I will complete a 60,000-word draft of my fantasy novel by December 1st.”

Notice the difference? You want a target you can aim.

Quick self-check: If you can’t tell me what “done” looks like, your goal isn’t a goal, it’s a wish.

Step 2: Reality

Where are you starting from, really?

This is where brutal honesty comes in. Pretending you’re further along than you are just slows you down. Ask yourself:

• What’s working right now?

• Where am I stuck?

• What’s getting in the way? (Spoiler: it’s not “time.” It’s probably fear, perfectionism, or Netflix)

Example: Maybe you want to record an album, but your “reality” is that you haven’t written more than half the songs. Okay. Now you know where to focus instead of avoiding your guitar.

Pro tip: Reality checks aren’t meant to depress you. They clear the fog so you stop tripping over invisible obstacles.

Step 3: Options

What could you actually do about it?

This is brainstorming mode, not “judge and shame” mode. List all the possibilities, even the silly ones.

For example, if your reality is “I never write because I wait for inspiration,” your options could be:

• Write 500 words every morning, inspired or not.

• Dictate ideas into your phone while walking.

• Join a writing group for accountability.

• Hire a coach (yep, shameless plug).

Then weigh them. Which is doable? Which excites you? Which makes excuses harder to justify?

Creative trap to avoid: Don’t confuse options with distractions. Just because you could design merch for your future fanbase doesn’t mean that’s the next best move.

Step 4: Will

Translation: What will you actually commit to?

This is the difference between a plan and another abandoned Trello board. Pick an option. Write it down. Decide when and how you’ll do it. Commit.

Example: “I will write 500 words before 10 a.m. every weekday for the next four weeks.”

Willpower isn’t about hyping yourself up every day. It’s about removing wiggle room. Make the decision once, then follow through like a professional.

Blunt truth: Until you hit this stage, you’re just daydreaming with extra steps.

Why This Works (If You Actually Use It)

The GROW model sounds simple, and it is. But simple doesn’t mean easy. The magic is in the questions you ask yourself at each step. It forces you to stop spinning in your head and actually get moving.

Finishing creative work is about clarity + action, not just being inspired. But the GROW method gives you both, if you’re willing to be honest with yourself and stop bullshitting your way through “someday.”

Ready to Try It With Support?

If you’re tired of half-finished projects collecting dust and want someone in your corner to walk you through this process (with a mix of support and the occasional loving kick in the ass), let’s chat.

👉 Book a free sample session here.

You bring the messy goals. I’ll bring the clarity. Together, we’ll actually finish something.