The Secret to Success

I have discovered that if you were to take on an endeavor or a commitment, like say, walking every day for eight days, and you actually wanted to succeed at said endeavor there is at least one key action you must take to do so.

I’d like to start out by being perfectly clear here: I am not a list maker! I’m not even close to being a Type A kind of person (in fact, I’d have to say I’m more like a Type U or maybe Type W girl). Wakizashi, on the other hand, will wake up on a Saturday and, before even giving me a chance to stumble out of bed and pee, announce that we have to “make a list”.

Ugh… Puh-Leaze!

That said, it turns out that the “spontaneous flow” mentality is just not conducive to actually accomplishing goals. I’ve discovered that telling myself not to forget to walk today is a sure way to ensure that I end up lying in bed exhausted at some ungodly bedtime (like 1 am) swearing under my breath because I didn’t remember to squeeze the walk in. It’s not like my days are even that heavily booked – and yet I am still quite accomplished at not getting things done.

A plan, I’ve discovered in the last week or so, makes all the difference.

Now, I’m not suggesting we sit at the table with charts and schedules and plan out the daily walks (or whatever you are trying to succeed at), really, you must not know me very well at all! No, no, it doesn’t need to be anything that complicated or well-thought out (unless of course complicated and well-thought out is your thing, in which case, knock yourself out). I’m talking about a simpler kind of plan.

All I really have to do, instead of saying “Don’t forget…”, is to say, “Now when am I going to go for my walk?” Sometimes, as I peruse my to do list (in my head, duh, it’s only a list in my head – I already told you I don’t like lists) and realize I’m going to be out much of the day I’ll ask myself, “Where do I want to go for a walk?” Do I want to walk near home (where I have a lovely beach and perfect treed paths) or will I be near somewhere with a nice change of scenery? Is it better to walk now before I leave or when I get back?

Amazingly, I’ve discovered that the simple 30 second act of considering these things and making one or two decisions is the difference between under breath swearing and actually meeting my goal. Knowing I planned to walk in the evening – no matter how dark or wet it is – is enough to motivate me into my shoes (umbrella and head light tacked on for good measure). While no plan, even on a purposeless day to myself, means no success.

Who’da thunk something so simple could be so gosh darn (thrown in as a nod to my mother) satisfying? Hey, it seems even us disorganized, free-flowing, spontaneous types can find a way to reach our goals!

Is there anything you are not quite succeeding at getting done. Right now, or tomorrow depending on when you are reading this, take 30 seconds (while you brush your teeth maybe, multitasking is always good) and make a plan. When? Where? How? Let me know if it makes a difference in your success rate!

Yours,
Megan