How to Get Things Done: My 12-Step Guide to Getting Stuff Done
Hey girl! I see you. You’ve got dreams, goals, and things you want to accomplish, but you struggle to do (and finish) stuff. Simply put, you don’t know how to get things done. It is almost like you’re the boss last that gets things done efficiently in your head, but in reality, you’re everything far from reality. I get it.
Life gets busy and it’s easy to fall into a rut of procrastination and inaction. We’ve all been there! But having a step-by-step plan can help motivate you and keep you on track in this post. I’m going to walk you through my personal 12-step guide to taking action and getting things done.
These practical tips have helped me stay focused and productive in all areas of life, whether it’s finishing a big project at work, checking off tasks around the house, or achieving an important personal goal.
With some determination and these simple strategies, you’ll be taking steps each day toward creating the life you really want. Let’s dive in.
My 12-Step Guide On How To Get Things Done
1. Access the Situation
Before you can take action, you need to assess the situation fully to understand what needs to get done and determine the priorities. Ask yourself some key questions:
- What are the tasks or steps involved? You should break down the big picture into concrete and actionable steps.
Write them down and organize them into a logical order of completion. Identify which steps are critical to getting started. - What roadblocks or obstacles might come up? Anticipate any roadblocks or challenges that could derail your progress.
You must come up with solutions for how to address them. The more prepared you are for potential obstacles, the less likely they are to stop your momentum. - What deadlines or time constraints are involved?
Knowing the schedule will help you determine what needs to get done immediately and what can wait. Prioritize important deadlines and work backward from there. Don’t forget to build in some room for unexpected delays. - What resources or help do I need? Determine what resources, tools, information or help from others you require to complete the necessary tasks. Make sure you have everything within reach before diving in.
You don’t want to get partway into a task only to realize you’re missing something critical. - How will I stay accountable? Establish a plan to keep yourself accountable, whether through breaking big goals into milestones, sharing your goals with others, or setting up a reward system.
Accountability is key to following through and achieving what you set out to do.
Once you’ve assessed the situation from all angles, you’ll have a solid understanding of what needs to get done and be well equipped to take the next steps. The more informed and prepared you are at the outset, the more effective your actions will be.
Assessment is the foundation for achievement.
2. Set Clear Goals
To get stuff done, you first need to know exactly what “stuff” you want to accomplish. Setting clear, specific goals is the foundation for taking action and achieving results. When your goals are vague or unrealistic, your motivation and progress will suffer.
Therefore, learn to define your priorities. Decide what’s most important to you right now. Do you want to advance your career, Improve your health, strengthen your relationships, or work on a hobby?
Choose 1-2 priorities to focus on for the next few months. Remember, be as specific as possible in articulating what you want to achieve.
3. Set SMART Goals
For each priority, establish 2-3 concrete SMART goats: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example, if your priority is to advance your career, а SMART goal might be, “Before the end of this month, I would have finished my course on Data Analytics“, or “I will ask my manager for a performance review and salary increase within the next 3 months“. Make sure your goals motivate and challenge you.
4.Write Your Goals Down
Never estimate the power of pen to paper. Putting your goals in writing helps to clarify them in your mind and strengthen your commitment. Review and revise them as needed to ensure they align with your priorities and values.
Post them in a visible place as a constant reminder of what you’re working toward.
5. Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps
Don’t feel overwhelmed by goals that seem hard to reach. Break them down into manageable milestones and action steps. Lay out a timeline for each step to keep yourself on track. Celebrate achieving each milestone along the way. Momentum builds upon itself.
Using this goal-setting framework will point you in the right direction and propel you into action. Refer back to your priorities and goals regularly, track your progress, and make adjustments to keep moving forward deliberately each day.
The key is maintaining a clear vision of what you want to achieve through consistent action and follow through.
6. Make a Plan
To get started and gain momentum, you need a solid plan of attack. Figure out your priorities. Think about what’s really important to you and needs to get done. Is it a work project that’s been lingering? Household chores you’ve been avoiding? Personal goals you want to crush? Write down everything that comes to mind. Break big goals into bite-sized steps.
Don’t feel overwhelmed by huge, ambitious goals. Break them down into manageable milestones. If you want to lose 20 pounds, focus on losing 1-2 pounds per week. To write a book, aim to write 500 words a day. Small wins build momentum and motivation.
7. Schedule Deadlines for Yourself
Give yourself concrete deadlines for when you want to complete each step or milestone. Treat these deadlines like any other appointment or commitment. Hold yourself accountable to ensure you follow through.
Plan your time wisely. Look at your calendar for the week and block off time each day dedicated to working on your priorities. Even 30-60 minutes a day can make a big difference. Try to work on your goals at the same time each day to make it a habit. Minimize distractions by finding a quiet place to work.
Start working and track your progress. Dive in and get going. As you achieve each milestone, check it off your list. Reward yourself for meeting deadlines and staying on track. Use an app to record your progress and hold yourself accountable each day.
Seeing your progress will keep you motivated to continue moving forward.
8. Gather Your Resources
Now that you’ve decided to take action, the first thing you need to do is gather all the tools and resources required to accomplish your goal. Think about what exactly needs to get done and make a list of everything needed to complete each task. Make sure you have all necessary tools, software, equipment, and supplies on hand before diving in.
Some goals may require physical tools and resources while others may need digital tools like project management software or design programs. Not having the proper tools and supplies is a sure way to stall your progress, so take inventory of what you need and gather everything ahead of time.
9. Support
Tell close friends and family about your goal and let them know how they can support you along the way. Their encouragement and support can help motivate you through challenges.
You may also want to find an accountability partner or join an online community related to your goal. Having a strong support system in place will make achieving your goal much easier.
10. Don’t Wait for a Perfect time, Start now
Waiting for the “perfect” time is an excuse. There will always be obstacles and you’ll never feel 100% ready, so dive in and get going. Taking that first step, no matter how small, builds momentum.
Don’t get bogged down in getting every little detail right. Do your best and make constant forward progress. You can go back and tweak things later. Done is better than perfect.
11. Make it a Habit
The more you practice taking action, the easier it gets. Schedule time each day dedicated to move your important projects forward. Start with just 15 or 30 minutes a day of focused work. Making progress a habit will help make it automatic
12. Celebrate Wins, Big and Small
Taking action means celebrating progress to stay motivated. Reward yourself for achieving milestones along the way. Share your wins with others who will cheer you on.
Revel in accomplishing even the small steps.
13. Review Your Motivation
Connect with why you started this project. What benefits will completing it provide? Tap into the motivation and determination that fueled you initially to re-energize your efforts.
When your motivation starts to wane, reviewing the reasons why can help reinvigorate your drive.
Conclusion
Sure, some of these steps may seem obvious, but how often do we actually put them into practice in our daily lives?
Procrastination is the enemy of progress. By following even a few of these action steps consistently, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish. Stop thinking about it, stop talking about it: just do it. You’ve got this! Start small if you have to, but start somewhere.
The time is now to take control of your life and get busy making things happen. Imagine where you could be a year from now if you fully commit to taking action. The path won’t always be easy, but staying the course is worth it. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of you that you can be.
Now get out there, get busy, and go get em’.
All images are sourced from unsplash.com
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