Much of life is spent planning to, yearning to, and wanting to accomplish something. We spend so much time thinking about how amazing doing that thing would be, how it would improve our lives and give us fulfillment, but we struggle to get going.
Why does it take so long for each one of us to transition from the planning and idea stage to design and implementation?
How can we accomplish this task more efficiently and consciously instead of wasting so much time daydreaming?
Here are some examples of things I’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time:
- I’ve wanted to start my own business for years. I know working for other people is not in my best interest and I’m much better suited to controlling my own destiny, but I keep putting it off. The idea of jumping headfirst into an unfamiliar realm without the backbone of a constant salary and benefits makes me uneasy. However, the only thing keeping me from starting my own business and navigating those waters is my own fear.
- I’ve always wanted to write a novel. I have ideas for both nonfiction and fiction novels. I know that I have the ability to write these novels. However, when I have the free time to get them done or get started, I don’t. I think about all the obstacles and naysayers and negativity standing in my way and I just stop dead in my tracks. Maybe I’m too afraid of judgment or feel like I lack the focus necessary to accomplish a novel.
- I’ve wanted to go back to school and get at least a master’s degree. I’ve always been a person who enjoyed learning and achieving and I feel that I should start down that path sooner than later. The doubts about incurring student loan debt and it not being a worthy pursuit always prevent me from taking the dive.
In every example above, it’s fear, uncertainty, assumptions, procrastination that keep me shackled to my comfort zone.
It is these thought patterns that keep all of us from becoming the best versions of ourselves and giving new things a try even though these new things could change our lives significantly for the better.
How exactly can we go about solving this problem and motoring ourselves into active resolve?
- Purpose: Clearly write one sentence that lays out your purpose in completing this task.
- Head-on: Recognize your fears and doubts and journal about them. Don’t run away from the doubts, but embrace them and do the thing anyway.
- Be realistic: Truly consider if this objective is something that is meaningful to you. Is this something that you truly want?
- Lay one brick at a time: The smallest wins can empower you to take bigger steps and if you can accomplish something minor every day, every week, every month, then you can keep that momentum flowing more easily with the existing inertia.
- Reflect and appreciate: If this goal makes you feel joy deep inside, then chase that feeling. Does it make you feel alive? Are you taking the time to reflect on your small wins and how they contribute to the larger action?
The more we take the time to actively write about, think about, and take actions toward our goals, the better we get at accomplishing this more often. The residual benefits that true purpose contributes to your mood and self-confidence are important to recognize.
Don’t feel trapped in your life. Instead, pivot and do something different. Do something new.