Close the Loop
- jondab
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
What do we mean when we talk about closing the loop? The origin of “close the loop” comes from the idea of working with electrical wiring. If a circuit (or loop) is open with a gap somewhere, it will not work. You must close the loop for the electrical current to flow efficiently.
As an organizer when I ask a client to “close the loop” I am asking them to complete the task they are working on. It will increase their productivity.
Consequences of not finishing a project
This past week I was working on a project in a laundry room/storage room with a client. She was calling it her room of shame and telling me that because of her ADHD she never finished any project.
And indeed, in that space on the floor we found:
· Camping equipment from a recent trip dumped on the floor
· Laundry products – both currently being used and back-up products scattered across the space
· Piles of laundry on the floor with no sorting or plan
· A folding table she had used once in her office but was now folded and lying on the floor
· A chair she had bought for the beach but decided that it was too heavy to carry
· Pillows from chairs and a couch without their covers – covers were somewhere in the pile of laundry (she hoped)
· A couple of metal pieces for hanging clothes – not being used
So, for her, the consequences of not finishing her projects resulted in her “room of shame” and now not being able to find the covers for a couple of chairs that she now wanted to donate.
She was also suffering from loss of self-esteem.
She was frustrated and overwhelmed.
Rewards of finishing a project
As we worked, I chatted with my client about the fact that now she knew she had diagnosed ADHD and an awareness of the consequences of unfinished projects, she could now, moving forward, work on changing that life-long habit.
What would that look like for her?
She could reclaim her space by putting things away when she was finished with them.
She would have less frustration due to not being able to find items.
She would be able to start new projects like her next trip to the beach in a more relaxed manner because all of her camping equipment would be on the proper shelves and ready to go.
She would feel more in control of her environment and her life.
How to keep working on a project until it is completed
One of the first ways to complete a project is to be clear on what “complete” looks like.
If your project is doing laundry, the project is not complete until that laundry is dried and put away. If your project is a trip, the project is not finished until you have unpacked and put everything away again.
This means that you have to schedule time to do all of the steps.
If you get your laundry done to the point that clothes are folded or on hangers and you are done for the day, then the next day before you start a new project, you take the extra bit of time to put those clothes away. If you come home late from a trip, then you schedule time in the next couple of days to put everything away.
Actually, schedule those blocks of time on your calendar.
Gather all of the tools you might need for the project. Once you start your project you don’t want to have to stop and look for something.
Have your end vision in your mind and remind yourself how you want to feel about finishing the projects.
If other people are involved, delegate some of the work. Make sure that the other people are clear on their expectations and timeline.
Reward yourself when you complete the project. Schedule some me time or take a short break outside.
The more times you find yourself completing your projects and acknowledging that accomplishment, the easier it will be to complete the next project.
In conclusion:
· When you start any project, have the end vision in mind.
· Allow scheduled time to work on and finish your project.
· If you start to bog down and give up, remind yourself of the benefits of making yourself finish.
· Reward and congratulate yourself each time you close that loop.
· And remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect. Done is better than perfect!
If you are ready to work on any specific organizing project and want some tips, encouragement, or accountability join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space For You virtual clutter support group. The group will offer ideas, support, and gentle accountability for working on developing plans or projects.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.
I have had that same difficulty with books. I usually really try hard to give that author every chance to make me finish. But a couple of times I did just say "enough" and quit.
I talk to my clients about "closing the loop" all the time (particularly with the ideas of making sure the laundry gets put away, that the dishes actually get to the dishwasher after dinner, and that the bills actually get paid and filed away), but I never realized that it was a reference to electrical current. That's enlightening. I've been working in this field over 23 years, and I am still learning things about ADHD; I'm annoyingly neurotypical and linear, so I need these kinds of reminders, all the time, to imbue my lessons and work with clients with humor and patience. Thank you for the warmth in which you detailed this.
Your post resonates with me. It reminds me of my father, an electrical contractor business owner. I had several clients that were undiagnosed with ADHD and some that were diagnosed. I found both had issues completing tasks, usually because they forgot they had to finish. I usually recommend that they write down what tasks they need to finish and then add a deadline. Many of my clients find that having the list on paper works better for them, but only if the paper is readily available and is seen often.
I love how you were really able to speak life into your client, pointing out that she can now strike a new life approach and get more satisfying results. A joy of what we do!
Terrific point about gathering your tools so you don't get interrupted. This is especially vital if you have ADHD because if you have to break focus and walk away, you are highly likely to get distracted by something else, perhaps never getting back to the task you were working on. It makes me think of mis en place when you are cooking. You make sure you have everything you need, ready to go, right at your fingertips so that once you start cooking, you really…
I was just talking about "completion" with my husband yesterday. I always feel compelled to complete things. And while that is generally a positive trait, at times, it can be annoying. For example, let's say I start reading a book and don't like it. Instead of giving up, I feel obligated (self-imposed) to finish it. And if I don't, I feel that loose end hanging over me.
Recently, I considered that it's OK NOT to complete a book I'm not enjoying. So knowing when it's important to complete a project or task and when it's OK to give up is something I'm working on.