So, how I stopped putting off what I wanted to do was more difficult than I thought it would be. You see, I’m good at doing what I need to do. For example, I publish six blogs a week on four sites, for three organizations, and this one. I’m six weeks or more ahead on all. I have a system, and I stick to it. I wrote a book about it, How to Stay Ahead of Your Business Blog Forever.

But that’s not my point. There have been things I’ve wanted to do but never found the time – until now.

Right from the start, I want to share that I have more time now than I once did. I know many of you are working 50-60 hours a week, raising a family, homeschooling, maintaining a home, and more. I understand. Been there done that.

So, my plan is easier for me now than it would have been a few years ago. But I’d like to ask you to keep an open mind. Regardless of how busy you are, it still might be possible to commit to working on what you want to do – you may have to start slow. My 90 might be your 30.

Where could you find 30 to 90 minutes a day? Turn off the evening news, listen to educational podcasts on your commute, take a book to the tub, or?

So, do you want to know how I stopped putting off what I wanted to do?

My New Plan

I had a virtual chat with my dear friend Kit, when I casually told him about my plan to get things done. He listened, asked questions, took notes, and then said, “You need to write about this.” Thank you, Kit.

I began my new system two months ago. And yes, the pandemic helped me focus. Have you heard of Ben Franklin’s five-hour rule? Ben would spend one hour a day, five days a week, on self-improvement. Reading, studying, reflecting, and experimenting.

Plan 90

I committed to three things I wanted to do. I call my plan 90. It’s 30 minutes a day on each of the three, six days a week. It’s how I stopped putting off what I wanted to do. It’s working for me. It might work for you.

Writing Fiction

I’ve been writing poems, songs, and stories all my life. I got it from my father and my love of reading. I had a brief spurt of fiction writing in 2008 and 2009, and then I stopped. It had been 11 years since I wrote one piece of fiction. I committed to 30 minutes a day writing, researching, and editing my fiction. I created a blog site R Lyle Clark

I’ve published seven short stories, mostly flash Sci-Fi, and have six new stories in drafts ready to publish. I further committed to publishing one new piece of fiction per week. The average short story compilation is 40,000 words. I have 14,178 words now. At my current pace, I’ll hit 40,000 words in 22 weeks. I’ve been putting off fiction for 11 years. With my 90 plan, I’ll publish a book of short stories in six-months.

Playing Keyboards

I’ve never taken formal training for keyboards even though I played small parts in a rock and roll band 40 years ago – it was all by ear. Two years ago, I bought a used Korg M-50 music workstation, a programable keyboard. At first, I practiced quite a bit. I pushed myself by booking a few solo gigs, deadlines, you know. So, I had to learn some songs and play them well enough to sing along. But then, I got away from it. One day I realized I hadn’t put my hands on the keys for more than two months. Playing keyboards is my second 30. I am getting better every day.

Exercise

I’d guess many of you can relate to this. I was doing pretty good until COVID. My wife signed us up for the YMCA, and we went four-five times a week. However, when we self-quarantined, I got away from exercising. So, I made exercise my last 30 of 90. I ride my bike, walk the neighborhood, hike Eagle Creek, or do stretches and yoga. And I do it at least 30 minutes 6 days a week.

That’s How I Stopped Putting Off What I Wanted to Do and so Can You

What’s your 90? Are your ready to stop putting off what you want to do? So, what have you been putting off that you want to do? What’s your 15, 30, 60, or 90? You got this.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like, How To Limit Procrastination.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out. It might help you stop putting off what you want to do.

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Postscript: I wrote this post in August of 2020. Today, 10/1/21 my book of short fiction, Terrible Smiles: Short Fiction with a Twist was published. I completed the stories in July of 2021, one year and one month after I began my 90 journey.

You can do it.