How To Get Things Done
Years ago, I published a set of steps that can help anyone stop procrastinating, and achieve their goal. While the original instructions were quite lengthy, I have condensed them into a few simple steps that can help you get started. Here’s what you need to do: First, set a clear goal for yourself that’s specific and attainable. Then, create a plan of action that outlines the steps you need to take to reach your goal. This plan should include both short-term and long-term objectives. Additionally, make sure to track your progress along the way so you can stay motivated. Finally, don’t forget to reward yourself when you reach each milestone! With these steps in mind, let’s talk about how to get up off the couch and get started.
How To Get Things Done
Back when I was growing up on the farm, my father would often say, "The fields won't get plowed until you hitch up the mules." Even though we didn't have any mules, we understood his message clearly. It's been over six decades since I last heard him say those words, but I'm confident that modern-day farmers have a similar adage. Despite advancements in technology, such as air-conditioned cabs on John Deere tractors, farmers know that hard work is necessary to cultivate a successful crop. Until the seeds are planted, they cannot grow, and no amount of planning and hoping will suffice without action. It's a labor-intensive process that requires individual effort. By taking action, you are committing yourself to achieving your goal. You must do the work. You must put in the effort. You must face your fears and push yourself out of your comfort zone. That little project that you have been planning on doing, but never got around to doing it. Guess what? It won’t happen until you take some action on it. You must take steps daily to move closer to completing it. That habit that you have been wanting to break but never tried? You must actively choose to stop doing it each day. You must find better alternatives and ways to cope with whatever is causing you to repeat the habit. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Change is possible. But only if you take action.
Success with anything is as straightforward as taking the necessary steps to get the job done. It is not complex or complicated. There are no shortcuts that will enable you to avoid taking action. Sounds simple huh? It is simple, not always easy, but it will always be as simple as just taking action.
Look What Others Have Said About Action:
"Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor." --Oliver Wendell Holmes
"Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made by singing: "Oh, how beautiful" and sitting in the shade." --Rudyard Kipling
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." --Johann von Goethe
The System
The system I'm about to share with you is an effective way to motivate yourself to take action and stop procrastinating. It has been tried and tested by myself and many others and has been successful in motivating us to get things done. It doesn't require you to be a full-time optimist, but rather, it just requires you to be able to control your thoughts for a few minutes or even just a few seconds. With this system, you can push yourself to make progress and start taking those steps toward your goals. You can make yourself accountable and take responsibility for your own life.
This system can be used to help you stay focused, determined, and motivated. It can also be used to help you stay organized and on track with your goals. You can create a plan of action and set yourself deadlines and milestones to reach. This way, you can stay motivated and make sure that you reach your goals on time. The trick is to make sure that you stay positive and believe in yourself. Believe that you can achieve whatever it is that you set your mind to. With a positive attitude and some self-discipline, you can make this system work for you and start taking action toward your goals.
How & Why It Works:
Going back to 1956, I was a 10-year-old living on a farm in the South. Before we set out to the fields to work, my dad would bring all of us kids and the hired help together. He would give us an encouraging pep talk, noting the forecast of rain and urging us to work hard and fast. He'd finish it off with an expression that would stay with us throughout the day: "Okay men, let's crank it up and keep it running." Every now and then, he'd call out, "Crank it up!" to keep us motivated. We completely understood his message, just three words to remind us that the wet weather was coming and that we needed to get the job done. We didn't need any more encouragement, his three words "Crank it up" told us the whole story. Later in life, I learned about W. Clement Stone, the founder of Combined Insurance Company of America, and how he used to make his staff keep repeating "Do it now" at the beginning of each day. This was likely just his way of reminding them to work quickly and productively, just like my father's "Crank it up" reminded us to do the same.
Over the years I have used this same idea with great success. If you can train yourself to react to keywords, it can work wonders. In my early years, I used the words “Crank it up” as my motivator. Then after hearing about Mr. Stone saying “Do it now” in the late eighties, I liked that better and started using it. For some reason, it had a better sound than my dad's old phrase. Of course, any phrase will work, "Crank it up," "Go for it," "Do it now." The word phrase is a reminder. Like a picture that paints a thousand words, the word phrase also paints a picture.
How To Get It Done
Step One: Choose a good short word phrase, it's important to keep it short. Take your time and once you have decided on one, move on to step two. I like ‘Do It Now’ but any words will work. Examples: Go For It. - Move It. - Right Now. - Just Do It.
Step Two: This one is very important. Make yourself a promise that you will never use the word phrase without taking action immediately. This could be one of the most important commitments you will ever make in your lifetime. If you truly want to see a difference in your work habits, your goal reaching, and a real difference in your life, make that commitment now.
Step Three: Practice, Practice, Practice, saying it and then immediately taking action. For example, if you see paper on the floor that needs picking up, say to yourself, Do It Now (or whatever your words are) When you start to open the car door, say to yourself, Do It Now and then open the door. Use it with little things like this for a couple of weeks. Remember your promise and live up to it. That's not asking much, is it? Simply don't say it unless you are willing to take action. Practice doing this for a couple of weeks. Soon it will become a habit, and before long you will be taking action without having to force yourself to do it.
That's It! Three Simple Steps.
Need to make that important phone call? - Do It Now
Need to keep that diet on track? - Do It Now
Need that extra practice you’ve been putting off? - Do It Now
Need to work on that goal you’ve been thinking about for so long? - Do It Now
Need to get up off the couch? Say to yourself Do It Now--and then DO IT.
Friend, this really does work. Try it for a week or two and I know you will be surprised at how well it does work.
Tom Boleware
boleware.blogspot.com
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