Taking Action and Tapping into the Best Version of YOU.
Prelude
Before we hop into things I’d like to acknowledge the fact that I haven’t published a blog in a little over 2 years. Time FLIES. Over the course of those 2 years so much has changed for me, for all of us. I think we have all been forced to evolve as people and my hope is that you recognize just how well you’ve adjusted to change and bouncing back. Continue to give yourself grace through it all, rest assured, where you ended up is better than where you started. Whether new here or not, I appreciate you.
Okay, let’s dive in.
If you’ve been following me via social, you know that I recently accepted a new corporate role and was promoted to Senior Social & Influencer MANAGER. Alongside this role, I also serve as the Director of Communications for an Austin, Texas-based non-profit called MEASURE. On top of those responsibilities, I have also grown my work as an influencer and expanded The Minor Detail brand. A mouth full, I know.
One day, as I was experiencing feelings of “stuck-ness” I was having a hard time feeling motivated. It was shortly after that I realized all of the roles I am occupying have something in common. They require me to be a true self-starter and take an entrepreneurial/consultative approach to my work. Now, If you’re anything like me, the words “self” and “starter” were the most anxiety-provoking words to see on a job description because what does that actually mean?
Flashback to post-undergrad with little to no experience, to now 5 years later, with a little…more experience (lol), I get it.
It simply means that no one is handholding, telling you what to do. The expectation is now for you (or in this case me) to figure it out and make things happen. This may feel like an oversimplification, but it’s true. It is your responsibility to leverage what you know based on the initial vision provided and fulfill the next steps. In some cases, you may even be the person providing said vision and executing it.
I thought to myself, where do I go from here? How do I get to the point of execution where I am holding myself accountable, performing at my best, and setting myself up for success?
I may not have all the answers, but it’s a start. If you’re anything like me or can relate, keep reading.
Images Captured By: Bethany Carpio
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE FOR WHERE YOU ARE
I know, you thought we’d jump right into the logistics. Seriously though, this is the most important. Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re all really just trying to figure it out. The good news is, it’s never too late to start over and get yourself together. What matters most is that you’re acknowledging a need for change and are committed to making necessary adjustments.
CREATE A PLAN
So at first glance, “creating a plan” sounds super broad. However, when you break it down it means setting a goal and identifying the most granular details. For example, if I said I wanted to write (2) blog posts per month I could either A.) make (2) blog posts per month my goal and leave it at that OR, B.) make that my goal while also identifying each subtask that follows.
Example:
GOAL: Publish (2) blog posts per month
Task 1: Write March blog post #1 draft
Task 2: Edit + finalize blog post
Task 3: Schedule blog for publishing
Not only will this exercise clearly define each step, but it will help you to establish an execution process. This way, you become more familiar with each moving piece and can plan accordingly in the future.
This leads me to my next point, timing and deadlines.
GIVE EVERYTHING A DEADLINE
What is a plan with no action? I’ll be the first to admit, one of my BIGGEST struggles is my tendency to reschedule deadlines after they’ve been established. I may not do this as often in my professional roles, but I can be a little too lenient when it comes to my personal work.
I’ve even decided that for the next couple of weeks I am going to try something new. I will be committing to every. single. deadline. I set. with the understanding that pushing it back is non-negotiable.
Creating a plan is important, but execution is highly dependent on giving yourself a specific time + date that a task needs to be completed. I even block out time on my calendar to actually work on specific tasks to ensure that I am tracking for the deadline I set.
Point is, every task or goal needs a specified deadline and plan of execution. “When I feel like it” will leave you exactly where you started, but a year later.
JUST DO IT
Nike was in their BAG with that tagline. Seriously though, get out of your head and do it. Don’t overthink execution, don’t wait on things to feel “just right”, just go for it. It’s even scientifically proven that when you mark tasks as “complete”, dopamine releases in your brain triggering you to not only feel accomplished but increases the desire to keep going.
The idea is that the more often you complete said tasks, the more you build up the discipline and willpower to execute regardless of external circumstances.
What makes me so excited about all of this is that these steps are applicable to any circumstance. Whether you feel demotivated in your corporate career, are struggling with getting your business off of the ground, or even planning fitness and financial goals, the limit does not exist. Identify your desired goal/end result and work backward step-by-step.
