9 Ways to Start Doing the Things that You Really Want to Do
Doing what you love makes all the other things you should do, less painful
Dursun Halimova
Everyone has an idea. In fact, more than one. Unfortunately, only a few decide to pursue their ideas and see where they take them. In my conversations and coaching sessions, I have met quite a few people who complain about their inability to do the things they want. They often say, “I wish I could do more of the things I really want to do, instead of doing the things I should.” It is a real struggle for many of us, to find the balance between the ‘wants’ and ‘shoulds.’ It might be due to work commitment, family obligation, or desire to help friends. Whatever it is, it is time to start prioritizing the things that you really want to do. Because guess what? Life is short and time flies. It is better to do something and fail rather than regretting not doing it.
You might have a great business idea you want to pursue, or start a side project or simply, start a new hobby. Assuming that you already know the things you really want to do, below are 9 ways to help you get started.
1. Work when you are the most productive
Observe your productivity throughout the day and determine the hours when you can get deep work done. For example, I am the most productive during the early hours of the day. That’s when I can get creative and thoughtful work done with minimum distraction. I am the least productive during the evening, particularly late at night. It gets extremely difficult for me to do anything that requires concentration. Thus, I plan everything that’s important from 7 am-9 am if this is something I am doing alongside my full-time job.
2. Prioritize the things you want to do
Some people fail to pursue the things they want because they fall into the habit of reacting to external factors. Or they focus on finishing the easier tasks firsts, but by the time they get to what’s important, they have already drained their energy. In my previous blog on time management, I suggested creating an inventory of tasks, which helps you to get out all the ideas and important projects you want to work on. In my case, I create monthly and weekly master to-do-lists. When the week starts, I pick up activities by priority (urgent and important) and try to get them done before I do anything else.
3. Schedule time for the things you want
Yes, you heard me right. Not only do you have to prioritize the things you really want to work on, but also arrange them by time blocks. Treat them as important meetings which you can’t miss. When estimating how much time a given task might take, better overestimate it because otherwise you might schedule too many items and exhaust yourself. Planning ahead your important tasks will help you to block time during the day when you are the most productive. In my case, I plan my activities the night before which helps me to save time in the morning, as that’s when I can get the creative work done.
4. Start small to avoid overwhelm
A lot of people have great ideas for a side project or a business but they feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they need to get done. When you look at the peak of the mountain while standing at the bottom, the path you have to climb to get there might seem scary. However, if you just focus on the first small step, and then on the next step, and then the next, the whole climb becomes easier to handle and you might reach the top in no time. To make your project less overpowering, break it down into smaller action steps, and give them a clear timeline. If you take small but consistent steps toward your desired goal, you will eventually get there.
5. Find an accountability partner
When you are running low on internal motivation or need an extra push, an accountability partner can provide the incentive to work on your goals. For many people, sharing their business ideas with others, discussing possible steps, and tracking progress make the whole difference between giving up one’s idea vs. pursuing it. This is the time when you might consider working with a coach, who helps you to take action, make progress, and keeps you accountable. You can also ask a friend or a family member to be your partner and encourage you to persevere. But make sure they are willing to push you to commit regardless of how difficult it gets.
6. Share your achievements
Humans are social animals and we love sharing, especially when we are excited or proud of something. So, make an effort to share your achievements and aspirations with like-minded people, who will applaud your accomplishments and encourage you to keep up the great work. If people in your close circle don’t appreciate your efforts, feel jealous, or try to discourage you, then it’s time to switch up your environment. Because the last thing you want is to be pulled back by others. It’s not about eliminating anyone but rather having different circles of friends with different interests.
7. Reflect on the long-term effects
You don’t want to find yourself after a month, a year, or ten years in the same place and not having made any progress toward the things you want. It is extremely easy to get caught up in our daily activities and react to things that come our way. At times, we fail to stop and evaluate if we are working on important things and investing our resources in projects that matter to us. Regular self-reflection can be a great tool when reprioritizing our to-do’s from urgent to important things. It can also help you evaluate the actions you took so far if you need to change your approach and try achieving your goals through different means.
8. Stay consistent
Incremental but regular progress is better than a lot of progress at some times. Try to maintain your efforts in a consistent manner as it will help you develop self-discipline and the habit of working on your important tasks. This is particularly true if you decide to start a side business, which might require the regular provision of products or services and interaction with customers.
9. Enjoy the process
Remember, these are the things you want to work on. Don’t let them become another chore. Savor each moment and enjoy the process of working on your goals. Once in a while, tap yourself on the shoulder and acknowledge the hard work you have done. And even, reward yourself for following through on your goals and finding the time to pursue your side project. Recognizing and rewarding your efforts lets your brain elicits positive emotions, which can serve as an extra incentive to commit to your goals.
If you need more strategies, check out my blog on time management and prioritization, which provides 12 tips on how you can use your time more effectively and become more productive.
Did I miss out on any important tips? How do you balance the things you should and want to do? Please comment and share your thoughts with us.
