Just Do It
We’ve all heard the slogan just do it from Nike. It’s been around for so long. But, if you work on your time, your attitude about the job will change. Once you start, it won’t seem so bad. And, there’s a lot of research on that, and that is all based on goals. There is so much research that shows that we feel good when we make progress with our goals. And when we’re happier about our goals, we achieve more. So, it’s not a vicious cycle, really.
What I’m saying is if we can set little goals, just do it. Whatever it is that you really want to get done in a day, in a week, in a month, write them down. Take them in small increments and feel the way it feels to meet those small goals. You’ll be amazed.
Some of my coaching clients always put down the little successes they’re making. Maybe they only lost one pound this week, but that is one pound. Or, maybe they only achieved one thing at work that they wanted to achieve. But if we really focus on those small goals and the progress we’re making, we will feel better. And, it makes us want to do more, keep checking down the list.
So, making a list, that’s something that I have done my whole life. But just because you make a list doesn’t mean it’s helpful for everyone. Some of the experts say that we don’t procrastinate because we don’t know how to make a list. Psychologists don’t entirely understand the reasons why we put it off, but it still might be a good breakdown to a big project if you put it into those small bite-size pieces, like book chapters.
So, for those of you who are procrastinating on getting that book that you know you have something to say, you know that you have a story to tell that could change somebody’s life, but maybe you don’t know where to start; start small. Start with just an outline. Start with an outline of some main points, and then take those main points and break them down even further, and give yourself those small goals. I guarantee that you will be able to make those bite-size pieces a lot easier to tackle.
And be honest, too, about a task that’s been on your to-do list for weeks. I don’t know if any of you have those. I do. I have a few that have been on there for forever. Be honest with yourself. Either do it now or admit that it will never get done, and take it off your list. It’s a mental thing. We have to set ourselves up for success.