Living in Your Day

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Living in Your Day

The Shift from Goals to Actions

Goals: The Gift and the Curse

The most coveted productivity attribute is being biased toward action. However, as human beings, we often find it challenging to analyze, act, and reflect in the most efficient way possible. We tend to over-analyze, which can lead to procrastination and rob us of our ability to achieve our goals productively and excitingly. While goal-setting is a heavenly act, it can also be a curse, causing anxiety and delaying progress.

The focus on goals can make one anxious, causing procrastination and delaying goal achievement. However, actions are the ladder to achieving our goals, and without them, goals are mere aspirations. Systems, on the other hand, can be a habit or a momentary behavior that gets us closer to our goals. The most exciting thing about habits is that we get to do them every day without overthinking them.

Breaking down our goals into the smallest and most impactful actions that can be done every day can help to convert our goal-completing actions into systems. This approach can help to eliminate overthinking and make the process less worrisome. Here are some reasons why this approach works:

  • Focusing on an action a day breeds more creativity. The fact that we only have to worry about completing a small task a day for our goal can provide the mental space to think about innovating new ways to complete the small task.

  • When goals are piecemeal, they are less stressful to accomplish. If stress depends on our perception of things, could stress just be a thing of the mind?

  • If you have a chance to do your work step by step, document it, and see your goal being actualized before your eyes, this could be a great recipe for gratitude.

Living in Your Day

Living in your day means focusing on the present moment and taking actions that will get you closer to your goals. It means breaking down your goals into small actions that you can do every day and being grateful for each step you take. Remember, achieving your goals is a journey, not a destination.

To start achieving your goals more consciously, here are some steps that have made my work more peaceful:

  • Assess your most important goals and figure out how you can convert them into something you do every day. Do you want to read fifty books this year, then read thirty pages a day? Want to rekindle a hundred relationships? Call each of the persons involved, once a day. The aim is to make your goal something you do every day. Let it become your identity.

  • To ensure that your sub-tasks are consistent with your goals, track and reflect on your progress periodically.

  • If you find yourself worrying about your goal, take action. Do a daily task or simply remind yourself to be content if you have already done the goal's task for the day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, breaking down your goals into small actions that you can do every day can help you achieve your goals productively and excitingly. By living in your day, focusing on the present moment, and taking action every day, you can achieve your goals with less stress and anxiety. So, start today, and remember to enjoy the journey.