How to Stop Procrastinating and Make Progress by
filling in the blanks.
PROCRASTINATION is a detour from success. It is easier to say, “I will do it later.”
Now PERSISTENCE: persistence is a straight path to success. It is so rewarding to say the words, I CAN, I DID AND IT’S DONE.
The next time you want or need to do something….DO IT NOW! GET IT DONE! The reward is yours. - Jodi Bernstein (1995)
The BIG question
What is “it”? You are not acting on your dream because you have not clearly defined “it”.
Step 1 Define the Dream
Define the dream in the most specific way. Use the goal setting acronym *S.M.A.R.T. This strategy forces you to clearly define “it.”
In short, define a one sentence Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant goal with a Timeline to complete it. If your goal is too big to define in one sentence, break it down into 3–5 smaller goals that all have these five components.
The timeline/deadline is crucial for completing tasks. Short term goals are the best way to stay on track because you can experience progress quickly. There are countless online resources with examples of S.M.A.R.T. goals.
Step 2 Find a Mentor
A mentor can be anyone in your life you trust. Someone who is on your “team.” I have had at least twenty-seven mentors that came from the following eight categories.
- Teacher
- Therapist
- Fitness Trainer
- Financial Planner
- Toastmasters Member
- Supervisor, Business Associate
- Aunt, Uncle, or other family member
- Club or Professional Association Member
Step 3 Find a Niche Expert Online
Niche experts are free for followers because paid advertisers compensate them. Search blog/vlog platforms for experts on your interest(s). Listen to podcasts. Influencers are everywhere. The number of followers and testimonials will help you determine their credibility on a topic.
Step 4 Stay Inspired
Create a specific, achievable, schedule to do these relevant activities 2–5+ times per week. Find an accountability partner. Someone who can check in with you weekly or biweekly to make sure you are staying on track. Inspirational health is like physical, mental, or spiritual health. They all need to be practiced regularly to be maintained. Use a mantra, song, quote, or anything that keeps your inspiration fire burning. Meet those timelines you set. If you miss a deadline, it was not realistic. Set another deadline and keep going.
Step 5 Redefine as Needed
Sometimes goals we set, lose meaning and it is time to redefine the goal. I had a list of goals to accomplish by the time I was thirty years old. Too many. One of the goals I had was to earn my Toastmasters DTM. I re-evaluated the goal and determined the DTM goal did not serve me any longer. I reluctantly put it on the backburner so I could focus on more relevant goals. The backburner exists for a reason. You can always circle back to it.
Focusing on what truly is relevant is a better approach. Years later I decided earning the DTM became relevant again and I completed it. I have no regrets about pausing it and I am glad I completed it when the timing was right for me.
Filling in the Blanks
To stop procrastinating you need to identify what you are hoping to accomplish. Then be as S.M.A.R.T. as you can to achieve it. By learning about what you do not want you can get closer to figuring out what you do want. Think of your life like the Mad Libs game, where you must fill in the blanks. Your life is about what you fill the blanks with. My blanks are volunteer and community activities that give me a profound sense of enjoyment and satisfaction. I like helping others. I am also very adventurous. I like trying new things. I am currently learning to golf. I lead a couple of volunteer groups. I jump out of bed every day without an alarm clock because I know what makes me happy. I have filled in my blanks. I know what fulfills me.
The meaning of life is to give your life meaning. That is a slight variation on the quote you may have heard by Kierkegaard. “As Kierkegaard expressed, it is our individual calling to give our lives meaning. We are the only ones who can. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to live according to our innate beliefs and desires — to live “authentically.” Oswald Kyrre
Coming soon in another article…the mantra/quote that has helped me accomplish every goal I have set out to do. You can also read Why do I Procrastinate?
*George Doran, Arthur Miller, and James Cunningham
