I’m excellent at planning, horrible at executing. I’m a classic over-researcher; I am great at coming up with ideas, figuring out what I need to do, drawing up action lists, then searching for more resources, and trying to find the best prices, etc. Unfortunately, I have a hard time moving past that stage.
Fortunately, I’ve found a secret to getting things done. Since we’re both here as UnTemplaters, I’ll share it with you. Now, this secret normally sells for 3 easy payments of $19.99… but with this one time offer you can have it free of charge.
-leans in real close and whispers- Just do it! Quit making excuses, stop doing research, and start taking steps. Every day, complete one task that moves you towards your goal. It doesn’t matter how big the task is, just make sure you get something completed. Make one phone call, find one new source, contact one new client, sell one object you don’t use.
Need something to help you keep on track? Use your calender. Every day that you complete a task, use a red marker to X off that day. Soon, you’ll have a string of X‘s, which will help motivate you to keep going. You’d hate to break the streak on day 8, or 30, or 50. The longer your streak of progress, the more you’ll want to keep going.
One task a day may seem like it will take forever to get anywhere, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll make progress. Visit one new restaurant a day and you will soon have explored the majority of the options in your area. Call one new client for your business today and in a month you’ll have thirty new contacts. One step might not be a lot, but a chain of steps will lead you anywhere you want to go.
Do you know the difference between the UnTemplaters, like Adam Gilbert, Amber Zuckswert, Cody McKibben, and those of us who are just dreaming about it? They got out there and made it happen. It isn’t a one-time slam-dunk. They worked towards their goals, one step at a time. Today they can look back and see how far they have come.
You already have some idea of where you want to go. Now go start taking the steps to get there!
Thanks for this post, just one X a day eh? That sounds easy enough right?
“Just do it” is useful advice to being an executor.
However, for some people, it doesn’t seem to work, What I mean is: “just doing it” would certainly help, but the words “just do it” don’t actually inspire action. The person just continues to procrastinate.
Solving this sort of problem requires a greater understanding of one’s own mind. For this, I recommend “The Now Habit” by Neil Fiore.
Matt, thnx for your post.
You touch upon exactly what I write in my “Rocketship” post today. SO many people talk a big game. It’s better to just shut up and do it.
Identify the rocketships and latch on while you do your own thing!
Best,
Sam
I like the red x idea, just enough visual cue to provide motivation to keep going some days.
So far, I haven’t missed a day in my 365 day photo project. The first few weeks were hard, but after you get used to thinking, “What am I going to do for this project today?” and doing it.
That said, I’d like to think that once you get used to the idea of doing one small thing a day, it gets easier to do it without having to prod yourself into it. 🙂
Congrats on building the habit of daily auto photo taking! Saw some great photos there, can’t wait to see what all you have by the end of the year.
“First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus
Great words. Kind of mirrors what I mentioned on my blog yesterday about how to find your true desires. Thoughts are great but action takes you toward where you need to be. I’m just thinking over the past 3 months how far i’ve come with my goals and while it sometimes feel like i’m standing still, small steps have helped me to move forward and realize i’m actually in a very different spot then I was not too long ago.
Action is truly a great divider.
“I am only an average man but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.” – Teddy Roosevelt
Congrats on your progress! Great post too.
That is a great point that you made just take action and execute. I would like to add that if you just set a goal, write ’em down on a piece of paper and make a plan on how you will execute it. It becomes a reality. This was an excellent post I hope that people take this to heart and just go and get it done!
Just yesterday I was able to solve a dilemma using this method. After spending some time researching and debating on which version to use, I decided to just dive in and get started. As I continue, I can switch over with much less effort than it would have taken me to come to a conclusion which would have been “best.”