I Could Do That… Then Do It!

I could do that.

Or so you say.

Yet, you don’t do it.

So, what’s keeping you?

Where aren’t you doing it?

I Could…

“I could do that.”

I hear this refrain all the time.

Yet, it’s easy to say you are going to do something. Not so easy to actually do it.

There are many things you say that you could do.

The question is… Are you going to actually do them?

How do you finish the statement, “I could…?”

- I could write a book.

- I could run a 5K

- I could find a new career

- I could start a business

- I could get out of debt

- I could get organized

What could you do?

If You Really Wanted To…

One of the first excuses is, “I could do it… if I really wanted to.”

Really?

“You keep talking about it, so it sounds like you want to… but you still aren’t doing it.”

If you want it badly enough, you can find a way.

You may not succeed your first try. (Sorry, you probably won’t.)

However, you are assured of failing if you never try.

…Then Do It!

Instead of telling yourself and others what you could do, tell everyone what you are doing.

Because you can do it.

You just need to actually move.

Get up. Do it. Take the first step.

So, what can you do?

And what are you doing about it today?

If you are looking for some motivation on what you “could do” …then make sure you check out my new project: Kickstart the Year.

Whatever you could do… you’ll get a kickstart to getting it done.

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Categories: Goals/Motivation, Productivity
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  • davejarnold16@gmail.com

    I really enjoyed this, Craig. “If you want it badly enough, you can find a way.” That’s so true. I got to the point in my life where I stopped saying “One day I will…” to acutally doing it. The first step is always the hardest. Thanks for this great post.

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  • http://www.timestylecoaching.com/ Stacey Vulakh

    I like the thought, “Instead of telling yourself and others what you could do, tell everyone what you are doing.”
    People will encourage what you are doing and that will motivate you to start making those “could’s” into action!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003348970298 Hugh O Smith

    Amen. All to often I fall prey to this.

  • http://twitter.com/george_tmub George P.H.

    Great post. In Russian, there’s a saying: “Those who want find opportunities; those who don’t find excuses.” I love that phrase; in the end, every excuse comes down to not wanting something bad enough.

    I’ve seen dozens of people transform their careers; attitudes; bodies. Once they do, everyone assumes it all came easily and downplays their achievements. It’s always “Oh, I could do that if…” or “It must’ve been easy for someone like you”. Few people understand that life change is almost never easy!

    In the end, action-takers can find solace in the fact that achievement isn’t measured in what we “could” do, but what we really do. Anyone can talk up a storm, but life always shows us where everyone’s at.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.myjobsit.com/ Mike Kawula

    Great Read! Reminds me of my favorite quote by late adventurer Trevor Petersen: There comes a time when one must risk something, or sit forever with on’s dreams.

  • http://www.quietspacing.com/ Paul H. Burton

    One of the very best books on this subject is Steven Pressfield’s “Do the Work.” For anyone who has to self-initiate, this is a must read. As someone who never reads a book twice, I’ve already read it three times.

    • http://www.timemanagementninja.com/ Craig Jarrow

      One of my favorite books! I keep a copy near my desk.

      • http://www.quietspacing.com/ Paul H. Burton

        Craig: I now assign as pre-coaching homework for clients who list “procrastination” as a primary struggle. I may not live by his creed everyday, but I definitely think about living by the creed. That’s a start!

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  • http://www.lifewhack.com/ Peter Ewin Hall

    We just need to remind ourselves of the consequences of the “not”. Do we want to be some faded no-hope mumbling “I could have been a contender”?

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    So funny that I read this this morning. I was talking to someone last night about this very subject.

    • http://www.timemanagementninja.com/ Craig Jarrow

      Thx, Joe. Glad it was on target. ;)

  • http://www.themakegoodchoicesproject.org/ Michael Hawkins

    Another great post, Craig. Thanks for the motivation!

    Between the short, gloomy-weather days of late (and my self-diagnosed ADD), I have been in a horrible ‘funk’. I have about 1,000 ideas running through my brain, but can’t seem to get focused. I really want 2013 to be a year of progress.

    Self-pity sucks! I need to get moving.

    Thanks for the nudge. Your “Kickstart the Year” might be a good program for me. :)

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