As I round out the month, let’s review this month’s topics. I have talked about the benefits of setting intentions. Then taking those intentions, turning them into a large over-arching goal for the year, and breaking that down into more manageable micro-goals – one for each month of the year. Recently, I talked about the importance of aligning your intentions with actions. All this talk is great but what is even better is to have simple strategies to turn your intentions into actions. My plan is to give you some simple strategies to help you move from thinking to doing.
5 Simple Strategies to Go from Thinking to Doing
1. Start Small: A Short Amount of Time and A Small Task
The very thought of beginning a project or even working on a project that is already in progress can be overwhelming when you think about dedicating a long period of time to it.
None of us has oodles and oodles of discretionary time to give to projects.
We can, however, find 10 or 15 minutes here and there to do a little work on our projects.
Set your timer for 10 or 15 minutes (your choice) and then start working. When the timer goes off, walk away.
Even if you haven’t finished all of what you wanted to do, you will have done more than if you had just sat around thinking about all the work you have to do.
You may decide to return to the project and pick up where you left off when you notice you have a little more time or if you decide you want to.
Working for short spurts of time builds momentum and reduces that feeling of being overwhelmed.
2. Take Breaks to Recharge
As I said above, walk away when the timer goes off. It’s important to stop and take a break.
Step away from the project. Do you have time for a short walk outside? Maybe do some stretching or take a minute or two for some deep breathing. Doing these things gives you the space to think through what you have done and assess if you’re on the right path or if you want to adjust your strategy.
If your project involves organizing a space, when you return, you will notice the change you made in the area more easily than if you had stayed and continued working.
Allowing yourself to take a break builds confidence, sustains productivity, and prevents burnout.
3. Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Did you know that the brain is about 80% water? Yes! It’s true. Another fact is that because the brain is primarily made up of water, it’s easier to think clearly and maintain focus when you’re properly hydrated. It’s also true that eating healthy foods can help with brain function.
Do yourself a favor and don’t try to go from thinking to doing if you’re hungry and thirsty.
Ask yourself when you last drank a tall glass of water and had a healthy snack. If it’s been a while, go get yourself some water and a snack.
Try to avoid sugary snacks. Consider a handful of almonds or something else that has nutritional value and remember the glass of water.
Staying hydrated and eating healthy snacks will make it easier for you to think clearly and to make progress and achieve your goals.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
One of the best things about creating small steps in a project is that you reach measurable milestones often. Celebrate every time you accomplish one.
The rewards you give yourself do not need to involve spending money.
Share your accomplishment with an accountability partner. Let them be your cheering squad. That will make you feel great and spur you on to do more.
Make yourself a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and enjoy a few relaxing moments while you sip your treat.
Acknowledging your hard work and celebrating all the small wins builds confidence and motivation to keep going from thinking to doing.
5. Keep Your Intention in Mind
Remember to post your intention or goal somewhere you’ll see it regularly so that it stays top of mind. This will help you keep your actions aligned with your intentions.
Sometimes life events or other circumstances make it necessary to adjust your goals. Set aside some time to review your progress and possibly change your intentions.
You may want to add a couple of small steps or change a micro-goal altogether. When you review your intentions on a regular basis, it’s easy to adjust and keep the momentum going.
Conclusion
Now that you have decided to take the leap and go from thinking to doing, be a tortoise. Remember the fable about the tortoise and the hare? The hare thought by going fast he would win the race, but it was the tortoise who won by going slowly.
Going slowly and taking small, consistent steps toward a specific goal is the way to be successful.
This is a journey and one that can be enjoyed when you take the time to appreciate and celebrate every achievement.
I would be delighted to help you craft steps to take as you embark on this journey going from thinking to doing. Reach out to me to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation.
Contact me at:dnqsolutions@gmail.com
Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.
I have to put it on my schedule to move from thinking to doing. When I am in the thinking stage, in order to move forward I need to note a date on my calendar when I’m going to start a project. Then I try to celebrate the small wins to stay motivated.
That is a great way to push yourself into doing – schedule the activity! Thank you for sharing that, Janet!
I love #3. I’ve read that cognitive function starts to decrease if you go more than 2 hours without hydrating., so I’ve learned to take a break at the halfway mark of my client sessions and to make sure my client hydrates, too! (But I also recognize that I am terrible at hydrating during the winter because I don’t experience the same thirst as during the hot months; so, I set a reminder on my phone!)
The thing about intentions — we have to really want them. I’ve learned that I can set all the intentions in the world, but if, deep in my heart, there’s an echo of “I don’t wanna,” then it won’t be done. So I’m with you on everything you’ve said in these posts, and I think #4, where you reward yourself and #5, where you remind yourself your goal, need to both be snugged against a reminder of why. The reward is the carrot, but the why is the real win!
You’ve done a great job this month focusing on intentionally and how to make it work!
Thank you, Julie. I agree that if you don’t know the motivation, the real reason you have this intention in mind, you won’t follow through. Thank you for supporting me in this, Julie!
I am especially fond of keeping your intention in mind. Motivation is what drives us and keeps us moving forward. If I say that I want to organize my office, that is a good idea. But if I say that I want to set up my office so that it is more inviting and more streamlined so that I can be better productive in my work, I am much more likely to stick with the project until I am satisfied with the result.
This is so true, Jonda!
It sounds funny to point out taking breaks and hydrating, but it really is a thing. I often remind clients to go drink or eat. I also frequently have to remind people to bring items to at least waist heigh for review because leaning over is going to hurt their backs. Ergonomics matter in this type of work!
Also love that you can have a routine, and still have some flexibility. I often have a good intention, and periodically it gets knocked around. That’s okay, I try to get back on track as soon as possible. If I’m frequently missing my target, then I need a new plan.
Bringing items to waist height is a great point – bending over to sort a pile of things is a sure fire way to strain your back. Flexibilty is a key component to most everything!