You’re more likely to do something when you have a clearer picture of it.
The reason why we usually start anything late is that we experience a lot of resistance.
That means we may stall whatever we’re required to do despite knowing what the task is.
Why does this happen?
It’s because although we may be aware of our duty, we have the least idea about the execution, or we haven’t thought it through.
We’re usually prepared to do the manual tasks but we cut corners when we’re supposed to figure out how something will take form.
Due to that, our resulting behavior is that we don’t work out our plans or take any action.
We subconsciously decide that it would be worthless to go on without a plan. And at the same time, we’re unwilling to make a plan – because it’s the first tough step (that can be a consequence of fear or procrastination).
For example, you may want to gain 5kgs of weight, but because you don’t know how to do it, you won’t start for a long time.
Or when you want to read more but do not have an exact idea about where to get started, you won’t bother yourself any further.
Though, this has an easy fix
Whenever you wish to begin from wherever you are, add a ‘how’ to your ‘what,’ and you’d eliminate many reasons to avoid your goals.
For instance, in the above example for weight gain, if you prepare a diet plan with items that you’re supposed to eat daily along with a list of minor exercises to perform, then it won’t be tough for you to get started.
Or in the case of the second example, if you simply commit to reading two chapters from a given book every day, and you’ll automatically start reading more.
Even when you delegate tasks to people, they find execution easier when you provide them with a benchmark or examples to begin with.
Do you see what happens? You usually don’t mind doing the work, but you only need to have the “how” figured out.
And this strategy is simple yet transformative
While you may be dead sure about your aspirations, you may usually fall short of your expectations because you didn’t figure out the how.
Once you do that, the ball begins to roll.
It’s not as tough to continue or adapt after that.
I often ask myself, “What have I planned but I’m not doing?” and then I’ll usually add the how part to whatever my plan is.