To achieve something, the following is necessary:
- Clearly understand what the desired outcome should be.
For example, “I want to run in the mornings” is not an outcome. The outcome should be “developing a habit of running in the mornings.” The outcome should be measurable in some way. For instance, “being happier” is not an outcome. How do you measure or verify if you are happier? Similarly, “losing weight” is not an outcome. You can lose half a kilo or half of your weight. A specific weight by a specific date is an outcome.
Or at least approximate goals like “I want to weigh less… fit into a smaller size… by such and such date.” “More money” is not an outcome either. More by $20? Per month? Per day? “I want a salary of $1000 ($2000, $3000, doesn’t matter) per month” – that’s an outcome. But these are just lyrical digressions.
The point is clear. A vague outcome like “move more” won’t help you understand when the outcome is achieved. However, a very specific outcome will not only help you understand when you’ve achieved it but also give you a clearer idea of the steps needed to reach that outcome.
- Understanding what needs to be done to achieve this outcome.
For different outcomes, this will vary. Sometimes you’ll need to write a plan. This plan might be general for some tasks and very detailed for others. Large, complex plans (like launching a new business), which consist of more than two or three tasks, MUST be broken down into sub-plans and sub-tasks by time – and you should execute not the “big” main plan, but the small sub-tasks, aiming for outcomes within these sub-tasks, while keeping the big picture in mind. Each sub-plan should not have more than 2-3 tasks; otherwise, it becomes cumbersome.
For example, “improve health.” A person might decide what they need for this:
- Start exercising
- Practice yoga
- Get more sleep
- Eat healthier
- Drink more water.
And they start doing all of this. But then, they give up right away and get upset, admitting they are incapable of changing their lives. Maybe they turn to drinking as a result.
There’s nothing strange about this development: not even a single normal, very strong person can do all this at once. Each of the points mentioned is a big plan in itself; almost each of them can be divided into 2-3 sub-plans, or even more.
Illustration:
- Start exercising:
- Plan workouts at least twice a week to start, integrating these workouts into your existing schedule and established routine. If you don’t do this, the workouts won’t be regular – other tasks that were done when the person decided to “work out” will distract attention. There will be a lot of obstacles, time will shift, and in the end, some workouts will be rescheduled and canceled, which is not beneficial for developing a habit.
- Test several different workout systems and find the one that suits your level of physical fitness best – it could be running, gym workouts, swimming, rock climbing, etc.
- Develop a habit of working out regularly (without regularity, it’s pointless) – in other words, just do it and push yourself when changing the routine process drags you back.
Each of these points is a task in itself. And you need to start doing them gradually. It’s not necessary to allocate three weeks for each point; these are not habits, just tasks. You can also develop regularity and create a workout plan that doesn’t interfere with your regular activities. And to start with, try something new each time: this way, regularity will be established, and you can check which activities you prefer and keep it interesting.
But if you also try to change your diet, start doing yoga, force yourself to wake up earlier and go to bed earlier, don’t forget to drink enough water – such a global change in your lifestyle can only be handled by very strong individuals who are accustomed to major changes and enjoy such “overloads.” Even they can burn out from overstrain caused by constant control.
Assessing your strengths wisely is crucial.
In general, I like that in any changes, underestimating oneself is very difficult. Of course, if you’ve decided to exercise, doing only three squats for a month is not enough. You can start with three squats; there’s nothing wrong with starting modestly. The main thing is to take the first step. And then another one, and another one, and another… Three squats for a week, the next week six, then twelve… Sometimes, in some weeks, things will go so badly that you’ll only manage to do two squats. Nothing wrong with that.
Another important point: in the process of any changes, it is necessary to do something within the framework of what you’ve planned. The most important thing in moving from one point to another is to move in the direction of the goal, even by a centimeter a day – but to move. Don’t wait for the car to pick you up. It may never come. Go – and you will reach. Maybe someone will give you a lift along the way – but you shouldn’t rely on that. The tortoise will reach the goal faster than the hare.
Slowly but steadily – is the best pace. If you want to quit smoking but can’t quit right away – smoke the same number of cigarettes, just cut each one in half. When you realize you’re okay with that, and you don’t crave smoking a whole one – start changing habits. Smoked at your desk? Go out to smoke every fifth cigarette. Then every fourth, then every third, until you start going out to smoke every time. I’m sure you’ll smoke less. Gradually, with each outing, replace smoking with something else. Hold a cigarette in your hand but chew nuts. I think the idea is clear.
Unfortunately, some people can’t quickly get rid of unnecessary habits and – especially – develop new ones. Can’t or don’t want to – doesn’t matter. There’s a solution for everything. If you can’t do it all at once, try as you can. Just do it, do it constantly. Don’t think about how to do it better. Do something, even if at first, you feel like you’re doing it wrong. You’ll figure it out as you go. Start with something.
Here’s the translation:
It’s very important to understand that almost never are there perfect plans and solutions right away. Almost any forward movement will have some deviations along the way. We are all living people, and the main characteristic of living people – which is their right – is the ability to make mistakes. Making mistakes is normal.
Of course, sometimes we come up with the right solution right away and everything works out for us, but that’s rather rare. If you’ve outlined a transformation plan for yourself and it didn’t work out, couldn’t execute it – that doesn’t make you a failure or a weak-willed slacker. It just means the plan was wrong, it didn’t suit you.
Allow yourself to make mistakes. Allow yourself to take wrong steps, as long as they don’t lead to any major mistakes. I’m not urging you to borrow a lot of money from the bank and invest it in a risky venture, and then come to me and say, “You said it’s okay to make mistakes! Where’s my money?”
Common sense should also come into play. I’m actually urging you to start small on any path, but the main thing in achieving any goal is not what we do to achieve it, but that we DO! The process of doing is the most important thing. Do what you think is right AT THIS MOMENT, even if you’re not sure if it will actually turn out to be right. There’s no such thing as none of the available methods suiting you.
To start moving towards a goal, you need to start moving. That’s it. Sometimes the real ways of achieving only come when you’ve tried others and they didn’t work for you. But if you stop waiting for the “right” way – that’s it. Consider your goals unachievable. A person can only fail to achieve a result when they take no action at all. Thinking about “what actions to take” is not action. It never leads to any result.
There are projects that indeed require serious consideration before any action is taken. Give yourself some time to think. I would say, from 2 days to two weeks. Set a deadline for thinking. And think every day. If by the end of the deadline you haven’t come up with anything – start doing what seems imperfect to you in the process of achieving the desired result, at least something that “might help.” That’s it. You’ve exhausted your time for reflection. It’s time to move on to action. Always.
It is necessary to realize that no matter how slowly you start moving, you will immediately encounter difficulties in continuing to move.
And the faster you move, the more difficulties and obstacles you will face.
I’m not saying that difficulties and obstacles will be a constant parallel process. But they will be present throughout the journey and will be felt sometimes softer, sometimes harder. Many think that these are “forces” that hinder you from reaching your goal. Or your weakness, or nature against you. Thinking like that is a serious mistake. I disagree with James Ray, who says “life is full of challenges, and you have to overcome them no matter what, and keep moving forward.” He’s right about one thing – you have to keep moving forward. But I don’t agree with the first part.
Life is not full of challenges at all. Life is full of diversity. I support the idea that everything around us is neutral, and only our perception changes it. Life is a process where you can move in one direction or another. You just need to decide how you will take the first step and with what energy. This way, you begin to get answers.
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