Finishing Things

Dr. Rob Kolstad works as program manager organizing computer security conferences. Longtime editor of ;login:, he is also head coach of the USENIX-sponsored USA Computing Olympiad.

I had an interesting typesetting experience lately. On Valentine's Day, February 14, I was handed the "final final copy'" for a book that needed to be published by July 4. "This text is perfect," said the co-author. "It is ready to be typeset and published."

Of course, this turned out not to be the strict and total truth. A few changes here, a few modifications there, an adjustment or two, followed by the revelation: the book's editor intended to use the galley proofs for extensive editorial change! The book was finally ready for serious typesetting by the time May arrived.

I asked my friend how this could happen. He pointed out that his co-authors assured him that their parts were "finished." He shared his belief with me, and thus the spiral of change after change began.

I think that finishing projects is hard! Throughout work and home life, I see projects that are begun—or even 90% finished—that never quite make it to the end of the creativity/implementation cycle. Maybe it is part of human nature to avoid the tremendous work at the end of a project's cycle?

I am fairly sure that, for me, deadlines hasten completion of projects. This editorial, though a few days late, has a very strict deadline. When the magazine heads out to the printer, the deadline has truly passed and few things can resurrect it. My new boss is great with deadlines—he sets them all the time. They surely do provide clear focus and an ability to see to the "end of the tunnel."

I've had a good run, I think, at completing work-related projects. In my own life, though, I have many not-quite-complete projects. I am building an electronic interface for a video switcher—it's over halfway finished. Another interface for an audio switcher is 80% finished and has been for almost a year! I feel terrible about these things, even as I contemplate starting other, more exciting projects.

I think finishing things is the epitome and culmination of the creative process. For me, it is surely among the most rewarding of activities. Yet I avoid it sometimes for its finality and the level of pain involved in going from 95% to 100% complete. I wish I knew why.

Best of luck to you for your projects this year; may their completions bring you joy and fulfillment.