You don’t have to put things off forever
Oh, hi friends!
“I’m going to take a second to think about that.”
“I’m going to work on that plan tomorrow.”
“I’m going to decide a bit later.”
I find myself saying things like this more often. Why?
Well, some decisions need more time. We can’t do everything we want in a day. And, of course, there's a lot going on.
But they’re also convenient throwaways that mask deeper thinking.
The “going to tomorrow” response pushes off a task without adding structure, clarity or a deadline.
So here are some edits (I love an edit).
You don’t have to do everything right away. But you can avoid putting important tasks off forever with three options:
Schedule it.
“I’m going to consider this idea at 3pm and will have a decision at 3:30pm, which I’ll send over to you by 3:45pm.”
Figure out the smallest next step.
“I’m going to work on that plan tomorrow, and the first step is gathering all the names and contact info of people involved and putting them in this shiny new Excel.”
Answer in the moment.
“I’m actually going to decide right now. The answer is yes.” (Or no!)
Tomorrow you'll be just as busy as today. Give yourself a head start.
“He had the vanity to believe men did not like him – while men simply did not know him.”
Please remind me of this Gustave Flaubert quote the next time I think someone’s ignoring my email or tweet. They don't dislike me, they simply aren't thinking of me at all. I feel FREE.
(Photo by Photography Maghradze PH from Pexels)
Deliberate Watching After Deliberate Working
The Peanut Butter Falcon, The Weekend, I Will Follow, Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists. These are all films I would look forward to watching, and not feel like I’m settling for after an endless Netflix scroll. Here are 10 “under the radar” movies worth your time. (h/t Mr. Macdonald)
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
You can also support my work by pre-ordering my motivational journal Do It For Yourself, coming out in the world on September 8.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara