Rush jobs take time to clean up.

Reducing feedback time is the fastest way to earn more autonomy and trust.

When you’re nearing the end of a big assignment, it’s incredibly tempting to rush through the final steps just to get it off your plate. At this point, you can fall into the trap where you put 90% of your effort into the bulk of the work then coast through the last 10%. To your manager, a brilliant project with a sloppy summary or a broken link feels incomplete. If your work requires a cleanup crew after you submit it, you’re unintentionally telling your team that you’re not ready for more responsibility.

To overcome this, treat the final delivery with as much energy and professional work ethic as the project kickoff meeting. Before you hit send, take a moment to look at your work through your manager’s eyes. Are the file names clear and organized? Is the most important information at the very top? By polishing these small details, you prove that you understand the business’s need for efficiency.

And take accountability for the final review. After staring at a document for hours, it’s easy to become blind to small logic gaps or typos. Instead of rushing to turn it, ask a peer to spend five minutes giving it a quick read. When you consistently deliver error-free work, you reduce the time it takes for your manager to review and provide feedback. Reducing feedback time is a way to earn more autonomy and trust.

Focus on the “last mile” to build a reputation for thoroughness and helps you transition from someone who needs constant checking.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to focus on the last stretch of a long assignment and understand that a project is finished when it’s ready for the recipient to use.