Do you go “All In”?

Do you go “All In”?

I’m a completer.  When I start a project, I finish. I’m ALL in, do what it takes, get it done. Isn’t that great!? Absolutely! I go to get a certification—I’m all in!  I commit to an event, charity, Big Sister program—yes, yes yes. Join a bookclub—yes.  So, what’s the problem? The problem is because I’m “All in” I often don’t start things—new things, scary things, big things. Starting sounds like so much for me. That has often lead to me not trying new thing, trying fewer thing, or worse, I have used this line of thinking to avoid doing things that would benefit me.

That’s the problem, going “All in” without a system means you often choose nothing. And nothing, well, nothing is nothing. No progress. No improvement. Just nothing.

Once I get going—I’m great. But getting started….

Seriously, if the stars don’t align, if my calendar is “too full”, if there is the slightest inkling it would not be “possible” I don’t start. New diet or exercise program—if it’s in the middle of the week or month—nope.  Writing—if I don’t have the right “journal”—it has to wait. Attending a training or event—unless I have plenty of time I opt out. Let’s face it, I am not the spontaneous type.

So what do you do. What do I do?

Instead over overthinking, over preparing, over analyzing—really just thinking of any reason NOT to do it, what would happen if you had a system to turn to? I like my routine. I’m just wired that way. So why fight who I am?

Here’s my JUST GET STARTED checklist system:

1. Will the book, diet, event, class, program, etc contribute to at least one of YOUR goals?  Not everything is suited for everybody. I can’t begin to tell you how many books are “must reads” that have absolutely ZERO impact on MY goals. If it is not forwarding one of my goals I either pass or put on my “parking lot” list.  From time to time I review my parking lot list and 90% of the time—it goes away.

If the answer is No—it’s not yours to do. Stop working on other people’s goals.

If the answer is Yes, go to next question

1. How will NOT doing the activity get in the way of your goals? Really, what are the consequences of not doing it? This is where I find out the things I’m avoiding. Like exercise. The consequence could be devastating over time. I mean this is the only body I’m going to get.

2. Will completing the activity be worth the time and money invested? Your money and your time deserves a return. For me, taking a six month trip to France to immerse myself in the language sounds amazing—and the cost and lost opportunity of other things I want to accomplish is too high. Some things are a yes, but not now.

So, get out your goals—the results you want for 2024. What are you NOT doing, that if you were doing, would get you those results? What do you NEED to start to hit your goal? Stop overthinking your way out and Do Something Right Now to move forward.

Karen C Freeman