Decide - Commit - GO! (24/63)

Procrastination feeds fear and anxiety! Action overcomes them!

I believe our level of success (or otherwise) is largely decided by what is happening between our ears - our mindset matters. I see a world full of procrastination and over-thinking as people create an internal state of anxiety, fear and caution . Gail Kelly, the former CEO of Westpac, got it 100% right when she talked about people going: 'ready, aim, aim again, aim again'. By the time these people get around to firing, if they ever do, the opportunity is lost & the target has moved out of range. 

People spectate. They watch others jump in, take action & move forward. To use the analogy above, they watch and wait whilst others take the shot. Why is this? I do not believe it is because people do not know what to do. People convince themselves that the time isn't right, they haven't got enough time in the first place, conditions aren't right, they haven't got the required skills, the right team.......the list goes on. Yet, are there ever perfect conditions, times or teams? Do we ever have 100% of the skills needed? Can we ever be 100% certain things will go exactly to plan? I don't think so. So how do we get better at deciding what to do and then take action before the target has moved or the shot taken by others?

To avoid this spectator trap, I developed one of my ultra simple mantras: Decide-Commit-Go!

Once I have decided what I am going to do, but before I begin, I ask myself whether I am totally committed. If not, I don't start. This saves significant time and increases the likelihood of success as I only start the things that really matter to me. This ensures I am committed, passionate, resilient and will persist when faced with challenges and obstacles. It is therefore easier to start and harder to stop. Yoda keeps me straight too, constantly reminding me that 'There is no try. Do or do not'.

I see many initiatives fizzle out because of a lack of commitment which then breeds future inactivity. People start to second guess themselves. 'That didn't work out, so maybe I am not good enough, not got enough time etc etc'. These things should never have been started in the first place! Start less but commit more!

Once I pass my internal commitment test, then I am #allin! It is essential I take immediate action. In essence I 'go.' If it is a big task or goal, I use my power of 10 model to ensure I break it down into a series of smaller goals and next best actions. This creates momentum.

I have used this model for a number of years for myself, the teams and businesses I led and now with my clients. Recently Kevin Griffen, the MD of a GiFT631 foundation client, Orange Business Services, added the word 'Execute' which I love and have adopted (in the spirit of learn/adapt+10%). The mantra has become:

Decide - Commit - Go! - Execute

Go is great to overcome procrastination and get started but execution is what really matters. You need to get and keep going! It is a simple mantra but one that powers me in the direction on my goals.

In summary:

1) Decide what matters most and what you want to achieve. Equally decide what you are not going to do! Focus on the things that matter most.

2) Make sure you are totally committed to the goal and required activity. If not, do not start.

3) Take immediate action. Go! Create a quick win to build confidence and momentum. It avoids the build up of anxiety, fear and ultimately procrastination & over-thinking.

4) Use the power of 10 framework to ensure you stay the course and achieve the goal. This ensures you execute.

5) Repeat until this becomes a winning routine!