I’m Really Good at Planning
When it comes to making lists, setting goals, and creating routines, I'm the best at it. But when it comes to actually crossing things off the list, achieving the goals, and sticking to the routines, I'm the worst. Most people who struggle with avoidance not that the problem isn't the lack of ideas- it's taking that first step to start that seems so scary.
We get lost in planning as it feels like we are doing something productive, even though nothing of actual substance is actually happening. I'm on a mission to find out the easiest ways for me to actually take that first step, and here is what I realized so far.
1. When Planning Becomes Procrastination
I would spend hours researching, organizing, rewriting my to-do list, and after all of that, waiting for the "right" moment. I would tell myself, "I will start on Monday". By Monday, the anxiety would settle in, and I would never start. Overthinking makes even the simplest tasks feel much bigger than they actually are.
Now, I notice when the "planning" is actually a cover-up for not taking the real action. My to-do lists are not 2 pages long. I write the 3 most important things I need to get done and tackle them first.
2. I’m Learning That Action Has to Come Before Motivation
Acting immediately when you think of the thing you need to do is the only way you will stop it from becoming something scary and unmanageable. I know that for those who do not struggle with avoidance, anxiety will find it ridiculous, but sometimes the task of simply replying to the email can feel so dreadful. Then you start postponing it and end up not replying for a few days or even weeks.
Now, one of the ways I'm trying to eliminate that anxiety and grow is by immediately opening the email and replying. I'm not leaving it for later, as there is a chance that later will never happen.
3. Make the Next Step Almost Ridiculously Small
I never thought that posting on YouTube was something I would be able to do. I've always hidden behind blog posts while always having a desire to post more long-form video content. The thought of filming, editing, and posting a 10+ minute long YouTube video felt like something out of reach.
It was all until I simply told myself that I would just film one short clip, and then another one, and soon enough I had enough short videos to edit into a full YouTube video. It didn't put pressure on myself to make it perfect or to even need to publish it if I didn't think it was good. I just started filming.
The simple decision to take it one short clip at a time and not expect to have the whole video done in one day is what made me realise that making that first step small makes it easier to achieve the initial goal.
Now, I try to focus on the action directly in front of me rather than the entire goal.
What I’m Trying Now
A few simple rules:
Choose 3 important tasks, not 20.
Give myself permission to do things imperfectly.
Set a short timer and start before I feel ready.
Stop constantly changing the plan.
Celebrate actually doing something, even if it’s small.
I Don’t Need Another Plan
If you paid attention to each chapter, you might've noticed that I used the word "try" a lot. That's because although I now know a little bit more about what works for me, that doesn't mean that miraculously now I'm not feeling anxious when I get that "scary" email, or when I need to tackle some task that makes me want to hide.
I'm still trying; I'm also still failing, but less than before, which is a win in my books.
We are still a work in progress, but I’m learning that a small action today is worth more than a perfect plan we never follow.
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