Embarking on the journey to manifest your dream life demands a realization: though it might not be easy, it’s fundamentally straightforward. Oftentimes, our path gets convoluted, hindered by overthinking and analysis paralysis.
My whole life I’ve felt in a sort of limbo. It seems like something is perpetually unresolved. Lack of control can send us down a spiral of self doubt and further inactivity that can snowball into something that feels really tough to get out of.
Lately, a sense of frustration with my choices—or lack thereof—has taken over. However, I’m well aware of what has historically brought me pride, inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment.
DOING.
Simple. Not always easy. But simple. If we let it be.
How does one embark on the journey of productivity and getting things done?
It’s not a walk in the park, yet it’s not as complex as we make it out to be. We frequently overcomplicate the concept of “doing.” Luckily there’s a self-help “hack” that takes merely a fraction of a second to initiate: refrain from overthinking.
Simple. Not always easy. But simple. If we let it be.
Human beings are almost wired to think themselves into failure, without fail.
So, starting today, with this post, I’m imposing a ban on indulging in discouraging thoughts. Instead, I’m reverting to “doing.”
My personal past experience has demonstrated that following a self-devised action plan leads to increased self-trust over time. We start with getting small things done that eventually add up to unimaginable goals being accomplished.
Now, before you can be a thoughtless left-programmed soldier, you gotta do a little thinking first.
PLANNING
We’re making goal lists and to-do lists, baby. HELL YEAH. The caveat of these to-do lists however, is that once you write it down, it absolutely must get done. No. Matter. What.
For my personal goal lists, I outline where I aspire to be or what I aim to achieve within the next month, three months, six months, and year. The key is to do this in a way that’s fun. If a limiting thought creeps in telling you something is unrealistic, or silly, you push past it, and write it down anyway. Negative thoughts hold no sway here. They haven’t served you in the past, and they’re not serving you now.
Whether the objectives are big or small, don’t perceive them as overwhelming. For now, we’re just giving ourselves an idea of what direction we want to go in, and trust me, when you look back and realize that you can mark off half of the things on that list as accomplished, you’ll be blown away and inspired to keep going.
Daily and Weekly To-Do Lists:
When it comes to to-do lists, I suggest focusing on the immediate week, then break it down to daily actions. During the initial phase of rekindling your “doer” spirit. Daily tasks are paramount.
Each morning, set aside a bit of extra time, and outline your to-do list for the day. This can include even the most routine activities, like making the bed and brushing your teeth.
Perhaps you’d like to infuse more self-care into your routine. Include a weekly to-do of dressing up and wearing the outfits you’ve been saving that don’t actually require a special occasion. Choose to make an ordinary day special enough to wear it. Maybe it’s going to the gym 3 times a week, or getting your nails done, or learning a new skill.
Maybe you’ve been on a scrolling bender (talking to myself here) and you want to get back to a place of focus and patience, so you put down meditating for 15 minutes every morning on the odd days of the week.
What you write down, you must cross off. Don’t avoid writing down certain tasks due to a fear that you won’t follow through and further disappoint yourself. That in itself is the limiting belief you can’t allow to take hold. Writing down tasks is itself the most important task.
If you included it on the list, that’s a good enough reason for the future you to follow through.
So, I will start with myself.
With September starting in a couple days, my goals for the whole month of September are:
- Go to the gym and do resistance workouts 3 times a week
- 10,000 step average every week
- 2 blog posts a week – no matter how short or long, or well written (or not), or entertaining.
- Start filming vlogs again and have at least 2 done for the month of September
- Finish the book I’m reading now (Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin)
- Write out and follow a to-do list at least 5 days out of the week
Remember, self-help lies in simplicity, and achieving your goals begins with productive action. Let’s embrace this process, banishing overthinking, and transitioning from dreamers to doers.
YEE HAW