Oh, this resonates so well. I came across the 12 Week Year shortly after I read Charlie Gilkey’s “5 years per big project” concept, and immediately thought “but if I do 12 week years, I’ll be able to do 4 projects in that time!”
And like you, I made Notion templates, and like you, I either forgot about or just got to tired to keep it up.
Honestly, now I find it discouraging that I’m surrounded by unfinished projects (not that I never finish; I also forget about things I accomplished).
100% agree the answer is “externalize.” I’m looking at setting up a wall display with an old iPad & TV to try and put my Notion front and center, among other things…