Okay, so you don’t have the time looking at your calendar.  But who does?  If it’s something we really want to do, we can and will find the time.  Where will you find the time, you ask? On your calendar!  Just decide what’s on your calendar that is less important or less urgent than the goal you want to focus on now!  And, don’t worry if your schedule is tight, some of my best work has been done under pressure.  In fact all of my six books were only completed when I gave myself an urgent deadline.  There seems to be some power in making a request urgent, otherwise it keeps getting put off waiting for the perfect time.

There Is No Perfect Time- Only Now!

Go on, commit and set a date.  It gets the juices going.  So, get busy realizing your goals.  You’re probably familiar with the adage, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”  Busy people get things done because they HAVE to schedule their time.  Last year this time I was busy  and had plans for the next day.   But then, I got a request from a client the night before to put together some training for teaching a course in Hawaii.  The request had everything it needed to peak my  interest. The only challenge was that I had to put the info together in less than 24 hours.  It was clearly an urgent request.  Did I get it done, You betcha!

1. Decide what you want.  Make sure it’s something that you’re interested in doing.  If you don’t whole-heartedly commit, you’ll find yourself procrastinating more.  Just make a decision and commitment.

1. Create a plan of action.  You might want to consult with others, get info, and do some prep work.  Your pre-planning work will help you to set a realistic date that you can commit to.
2. Decide when you want to realize your goal and SET YOUR COMPLETION DATE!  Put it on your calendar.  Remember you can always change the date, but you’ll never hit a target if you don’t have one.
3. Tell folks. Have people in your court to remind, encourage, and support you.
4. Schedule your individual tasks too.  Put them on your calendar.  Take them seriously.
5. Begin immediately to do something every single day that will move you closer to your goal.
6. Cross off each completed task.  This self-satisfaction will keep you moving.
7. Decide on a specific amount of time you will work on that project each day. 30 minutes? 1 hour? 2 hours?  Then set your timer and stay on it until you’ve worked the agreed upon amount of time.
8. Focus!- Limit distractions.  Set yourself up for success.
9. Finish- Keep at it until you’ve reach your goal.  Now reward yourself.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.