The Art of Getting Things Done | Turning Plans into Results | Mastering Productivity

I often struggle to maintain the energy and motivation needed to see things through to the end. I am enthusiastic about starting new projects and enjoy the planning phase, but I tend to lose interest when progress slows down and there’s not much activity. Sounds like you? No!

When I find myself working alone, it becomes easy to feel discouraged and give up. I’ve noticed this pattern in myself for quite some time now — initial excitement gives way to a lack of motivation when I have to carry on alone. This is the point where true commitment to the task is tested. I start to lose focus and get distracted very easily, not sure where to look for the solution.

I wish someone could help me overcome this deeply rooted issue, but I realize that I must face it on my own. While I can seek guidance and support from others, ultimately, it’s up to me to take action and work through it.

After extensive research, listening to various audio and videos, and reading books on the subject, I came up with a method that helps me stay on track and complete my tasks. I’ve experienced failure repeatedly, but I finally found something that keeps me moving forward. Although I still struggle at times, I’m seeing steady improvement with each passing day. Let’s go through these simple steps together.

A Strong Why

Our lives need a strong purpose; without it, we risk never reaching our full potential. When we lack a clear goal, we often fail to live life to its fullest. Without a target, you’re guaranteed to miss.

Your purpose should align with your beliefs and be bigger than yourself, motivating you to prioritize it over comfort and distractions. It should be challenging yet practical; setting a goal that’s too difficult or unrealistic might prevent you from even starting.

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” — Buddha

Soa purpose greater than your excuses, which resonates with your core beliefs, is challenging and also practical and will push you to act and your transformation begins.

Small Milestones | Scheduling

Now that you have a clear purpose and you are committed to sticking to it and putting in the hard work. It is time to break it into small milestones. You cannot reach the top of the mount Everest in one go. You have to do it in steps, reaching one camp after another with proper preparation and with a good team.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Apply this also when working towards your purpose, what’s your ten-year goal, five-year goal, three or one-year goal? What should be done in a month that gets you closer to the destination?

Then a daily schedule, by scheduling your tasks you will give your mind directions and it will help you avoid distractions. Our modern world is full of distractions and it is not easy to save yourself from their grip, you can do it by giving yourself a clear direction, a road to walk on.

Sosmall milestones towards your goal backed by a set of plans and the scheduling of tasks is your next step in the journey.

Challenge Yourself by Deadlines | Show Commitment

Set clear deadlines for yourself and commit to meeting them. You may not get started right away, and even with a plan, you’ll face resistance from your existing habits, making it difficult to focus and take action. Start by giving yourself easy deadlines and keep increasing their level as you see improvement in your behavior.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky

We often begin with motivation and create plans, but when it’s time to take action, we feel stuck. Instead of focusing on the right tasks, we waste time or get distracted because we’re not yet fully accustomed to living for a higher purpose. By committing to daily progress and meeting our deadlines, we’ll gradually feel a shift within us, similar to the awe we experience when witnessing a breathtaking view.

So challenge yourself with deadlines and show dedication in meeting them. Do it like your life depends on it.

Action | Steps in the Right Direction

On a bright sunny day, you can see your destination clearly from where you are standing. You have to walk first, on the road you will get a lift or be able to buy a ride. You are happy, and motivated and can feel the spark inside you that makes you run for the goal. But wait?

Does it mean that I cannot spend hours scrolling social media or watching my favorite series for hours? Does it mean that I have to sacrifice the extra hours of my sleep? Also, I cannot meet regularly with my friends and spend hours. How will I get up early in the morning? I have to put in extra hours, learn new things, and push myself while working alone, while others get to enjoy themselves together.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disne

Yes, you have got it right. You have to sacrifice your current routine for what you want to become and achieve in life. You cannot accept to have better results with the same routine. Your results will change when you change your actions, and now is the time to do so.

But it feels hard, even impossible for me. No, it’s not — you can do it. Others have done it before, and you’re just as capable. It doesn’t mean sacrificing everything all at once. You can still watch something, but limit it to half an hour or an hour. Spend time with friends, but not so much that you don’t have time left to work on your tasks. You can do everything you want; it’s just about making small adjustments. Once you start liking these changes, you can gradually add more.

Soit is okay, you have got it, it's not a big deal. Just get to work, each step forward becomes easier than the last. Trust the process and take it one step at a time.

Consistency gives way to Hope | Strength > Fear

As you begin to make progress, you’ll gain hope and grow stronger than your fears. You’ll encounter setbacks, and adjusting to a new routine may be challenging, but you must choose to keep moving forward. Find ways to overcome or bypass obstacles — it’s essential to stay consistent.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

Working alone, when no one is watching, and no one to appreciate is something you have to deal with. Be good company for yourself, appreciate your hard work, celebrate the small victories, and remind yourself that your actions will make a great difference for you and it will also benefit society.

Sobe in the race, make progress no matter how small, chip in daily, remember your why, and walk towards becoming the best version of yourself.

Repetition leads to Automation

You have started to follow the routine, now it is less difficult to wake up in the morning, schedule the day, and follow up at the end. You also have added some healthy habits like walking daily and exercising three to four times a week, you are also eating healthy. With that you have started to increase the difficulty level and adapting to change is normal for you.

Repetition of certain behaviors leads to automation, after that, you don’t have to put in a lot of effort. It comes naturally, you are driven to make better choices, you like to work alone where you can focus, and the better choices have now become your default way. It is great to see yourself making progress, you will start to understand that the journey is in itself a destination.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius

So keep spinning the wheel, it will take momentum, and when it does you will be unstoppable my friend.

New Habits Become a Second Nature | A Part of Your Character

You will see a major character shift, the new habits become a part of your nature. Your hard work has brought some sweet results, you now seek another goal or challenge after completing one. The wheel is spinning on its own, the momentum has shifted in your way, and you are flying. Your hard work becomes a reward for you. You don’t just make the right choices to achieve a goal; you do it because it’s the right thing to do.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker

You’ve reached a state of being unstoppable, where you’re at peace with yourself. You’ve aligned with your inner self, and it has embraced this new way of life.

In this stage, your responsibilities increase towards your family and friends, towards the society. With everything you do now, you have to serve also, become a helping hand that someone needs, and inspire others to achieve greatness like you did. You are now a teacher and a mentor. You became someone you needed when you were starting your journey.

So now that you have a mastery over your mind, thoughts and action keep doing the great work and become a light for others so they can also find their path and see their destination.

One last thing, When you achieve this level you will never want to retire, never.

Remember, this process will likely be slower than you anticipate. You may encounter numerous setbacks and struggle to take the right actions. However, persistence is key. Replacing old habits with new ones takes time, and you’ll face significant resistance from within yourself. Keep faith and stay committed to your journey of becoming a better version of yourself. It’s a gradual path to authenticity and true power, and with it, you’ll experience life more fully.