Every year is a story, and you are its hero. As we near the end of 2024, it is very tempting to view unfinished goals as loose threads—narratives left hanging, plans paused, or dreams deferred. But what if we reframed these as part of a larger, ongoing adventure?
In Christopher Booker’s The Seven Basic Plots, he suggests that all stories can be distilled into seven fundamental plot structures: Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth, and Overcoming the Monster. Each of these resonates with our lives in different ways, shaping how we approach challenges, triumphs, and setbacks.
I want to invite you to consider for a moment where your unfinished chapters from 2024 fit within these plots. Perhaps your 2024 was a Quest—pursuing a lofty goal, only to find the journey interrupted. Maybe it was a Voyage and Return, where you ventured into new territory, learned something profound, and are still processing the experience. Or perhaps it was a story of Overcoming the Monster, where the battles you fought left you weary, but wiser.
I know, some might be tempted to say they have lived all seven plots in one year!
But regardless of the narrative you might find yourself in as we head towards the end of the year, I remind you that you are the writer of your story. You are the hero. And heroes, after all, do not succeed in every act; they stumble, they face obstacles, and sometimes, they pause to regroup. What defines them is their ability to dust themselves off, get up, and decide what happens next.
Unfinished does not mean failure. It means there is a story waiting to be told—a chance to reprioritise, realign, and continue writing the narrative in a way that aligns with your purpose.
Why do chapters remain unfinished?
Before we understand what you can do about “unfinished business”, I want to explore why certain stories remain incomplete. And to help the process, the following are the questions I am asking myself about my lofty goals for the year – that did not materialise.
The questions include: Is it because I ran out of time, resources, or motivation? Or was it because the timing was not right? Was it external forces? Or were my ambitions greater than my capability?
At the end of the day, it is really one question. So take a minute to ask yourself, truthfully: what happened, and why did it NOT happen?
For me, I have concluded that some chapters stay open because we are not yet ready to write their ending. Others remain unfinished because life’s unpredictable twists and turns pull us in unexpected directions and we must pause, deal with another chapter and then return to the one we left behind.
And that is okay.
Not everything is meant to be neatly wrapped up by December 31.
Deadlines, after all, are human constructs—arbitrary markers we set to help ourselves commit to an outcome, stay accountable, and maintain momentum.
But life does not always conform to our timelines, and that is where perspective matters. Sometimes, we need to understand that the direction we are heading is far more important than the speed at which we are moving.
What truly counts is the clarity of our intention and the courage to revisit and complete our stories when the time is right.
And one thing I have learned in 2024, is that unfinished chapters offer potential—a space to grow, a moment to pause, or a chance to reimagine.
Reframing incompletion: A space for growth
Now, I do live in the real world like you, and I understand that in today’s world, one that prizes closure and completion, leaving something unfinished can feel unsettling and with consequences. Some real and some imagined. Perhaps we told others about our goals, aspirations and dreams for the year, and since we were not “successful”, we now feel we need to backtrack.
I say resist the temptation.
Because…what if we reframed incompletion as an opportunity?
Consider an artist leaving part of their work undone, allowing time to refine their vision. Or an author setting aside a manuscript, only to return with a fresh perspective that transforms the story. Sometimes, stepping away is the most powerful thing you can do.
I feel that we might just consider that some things are best left unfinished. Perhaps, for some things, let us NOT rush to tie up loose ends for the sake of completion. Instead, perhaps we can embrace the possibility that unfinished does not mean forgotten. Perhaps it just means that you have left space for something extraordinary. Perhaps.
Reflecting on your unwritten stories
And for those who want to go forward, and who, like me, view unfinished chapters as opportunities, not failures, and who want to understand their meaning and potential, follow these steps:
1. Make a list of your chapters
Start by reflecting on key areas of your life—personal, professional, creative, relationships, health, etc. Under each category, list the goals, projects, or dreams that did not fully materialise in 2024.
Example:
- Personal: The fitness routine I started but did not maintain.
- Professional: The certification I planned to pursue but delayed.
- Relationships: The connection I intended to strengthen but did not prioritise.
2. Understand the why
For each unfinished chapter, explore the reasons it was left incomplete. Approach this with honesty and compassion, not judgment.
Ask yourself:
- Did I lack time, resources, or motivation?
- Did unexpected events shift my priorities?
- Was I not ready, or did the goal lose its meaning?
This is not about assigning blame—it is about gaining clarity and learning from the experience.
This is an important step, and I know it is tempting to skip it. Resist the temptation. When you get to step 4, and you want to see which chapter you might want to revisit for 2025, you will know what blocked you this year and either come up with another strategy or understand what the pattern of incompletion looks like for you. You can then alter the objective/intention or revisit whether it is something you really, really want to do.
Whichever way you decide, knowing what derailed you is a great learning and something you can work with.
3. Acknowledge the progress
Even unfinished chapters often hold seeds of success. Maybe you did not complete the novel, but you wrote a chapter. Perhaps you did not run a marathon, but you improved your fitness. Recognise and celebrate what you did accomplish, no matter how small.
4. Choose one chapter for 2025
Not all chapters need revisiting. Identify the ones that feel most meaningful or promising for the year ahead.
Ask yourself:
- Which unfinished story excites or inspires me the most?
- Where do I see the potential for growth, joy, or fulfilment?
- How could this chapter evolve if I revisited it?
Write a brief vision for what this chapter could become.
Example:
- Personal: “This could be the year I focus on small, sustainable health habits that fit my lifestyle.”
- Professional: “This chapter could lead to a new skill that unlocks exciting opportunities.”
- Relationship: “This could be the year I rebuild trust and deepen my connection with someone I value.”
Turning reflection into action
Reflection gives you clarity, but action is where transformation happens. Once you have identified the unfinished story you want to revisit, here is how to bring it to life in a way that feels achievable and personal:
1. Set an intention that feels right
Start by framing your goal in a way that genuinely resonates with you. This is NOT about setting lofty resolutions; it is about creating a clear, meaningful intention.
- Example: “In 2025, I will write for 30 minutes a day—not to finish the book all at once, but to rediscover my love for storytelling.”
This small shift in mindset—from pressure to progress—makes all the difference.
2. Break it into bite-sized steps
Big goals are daunting, but bite-sized steps? Manageable. Treat your intention like a personal project—your “MyLife” project, if you will. Think about the smaller, actionable steps that will get you moving forward.
- Example: Start by brainstorming your ideas or creating a simple timeline. These small wins set the stage for bigger ones.
3. Lean on someone you trust
Goals feel lighter when you share them. Find a person who will listen, cheer you on, and gently nudge you when you falter. Maybe they can even point out what you might have missed or offer fresh perspectives you had not considered.
- Tip: Be specific. “I want to finish this chapter by February; can we check in every two weeks?”
4. Celebrate as you go
Every milestone—no matter how small—is worth acknowledging. Did you finish the first chapter? Pause to appreciate it. Took the first step in rebuilding a relationship? That is a milestone, too.
- Example: Give yourself credit for the progress you have made rather than obsessing over the distance left to go.
5. Stay open to detours
Life rarely goes according to plan. When things do not work out as expected, remind yourself that flexibility (and perhaps even resilience) is your superpower. Adjust the plan, not the dream.
- Mindset Shift: Think of roadblocks as redirections, not dead ends. Each detour can still lead you somewhere meaningful. And sometimes, they lead to better and bigger wins.
Not every chapter needs an ending
Not every story is meant to be finished. Some chapters are stepping stones, others are experiments, and a few may simply be placeholders for something better.
If you find that an unfinished chapter no longer aligns with your values or priorities, give yourself permission to let it go. Freeing yourself from unnecessary baggage allows you to focus on what truly matters. No guilt required.
Writing your best story
As you reflect on 2024, remember this: Unfinished does not mean incomplete. It means you are still in the process of becoming.
Each open chapter is an invitation—to grow, to learn, and to explore what is possible. Whether you choose to revisit a story or leave it behind, know that you hold the pen.
So, what story will you pick up in 2025? What unwritten chapter will you bring to life?
Take your time, trust the process, and let the story unfold in its own perfect way. After all, the best books often leave us wanting more.
And as always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.
Until next time.
Ps. This is the first in a 5-week series as we look to close out 2024. Feel free to subscribe. Next week is all about gratitude for what did NOT happen :-).
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