Mindset/Productivity
Use Next-Step Thinking to Finish What You Start — Every Time
Move forward in a positive direction with confidence
“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” — Alan Lakein
Why is it so many of us fumble at the finish line?
We have a sense of what we want — the end goal — but too often, the prize eludes us. And frankly, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
In an article by Royston Guest on the subject, he writes:
“Having a strategy is about making sure you are in the driver’s seat with a clear vision of where it is you want to get to, why you want to go there, and how you’re going to turn your vision into reality a.k.a your plan.”
Cause and effect are real.
And if only part of the equation is considered, the consequences can be dismal.
For example, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Do what you want and ask for forgiveness later.” To me, this statement makes a huge assumption that forgiveness will always be an available option — a way out of a less-than-favorable outcome resulting from questionable behavior.
But it isn’t.
And if by chance you are able to convince someone to tolerate your reckless actions, the person doing the forgiving now understands your irresponsible and discourteous nature. And they will remember.
So how can we make sure our efforts not only fulfill the dreams that mean so much to us, but also take into account the critical aspects of planning and follow-through? Can we really figure out a way to keep our goals from slipping away into obscurity?
It comes down to an absence of next-step thinking.
For many, the repeated failure to succeed is caused by a reluctance to consider where their actions and thoughts may ultimately take them. And by continually exhibiting knee-jerk reactions and sticking with an “in-the-moment” mindset, there’s little room for consideration of how they’ll actually finish what they started.
