The “Someday” Trap: Why Your Goals Are Gathering Dust and How to Finally Get Sh*t Done.
So, I was at this party the other day. And I’m talking to this guy, a work-from-home executive. He’s got a good income working in a hot industry, a fancy car, and the whole package. And he’s telling me about his goals. He describes a lot of lofty aspirations, such as amassing millions of dollars and eventually affecting global change.
But then he gets to the part about how he’s going to achieve these goals, and let me tell you, it’s like watching a kid try to juggle chainsaws. He’s talking about ‘someday’ this and ‘maybe’ that, and all I can think is, ‘he’s never going to see the finish line if he keeps running in circles.’
See, the thing about goals is that they’re not like wishes. You can’t just close your eyes, cross your fingers, and hope for the best. You have to have a plan. You have to break down those big dreams into small, actionable steps. And then you have to get busy ticking those boxes, one by one.
It’s like the old saying, “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” Dreams are great, but dreams don’t pay the bills.
If you’re serious about achieving your goals, the first step is to decide to do something and start making deadlines. When working toward my own goals, I use the 60-minute Goal-Setting Exercise. Try it; your future self will thank you for it.
At the top of a section of a blank piece of paper, write down “values” and why this is important. Then, spend 10 to 15 minutes writing down everything that you value. Shoot for a list of 40.
At the top of another section, write down “lifetime goals.” This is where you dream. What places would you like to visit? What experiences would you like to have? What would you like to accomplish in your lifetime? Such a list might include traveling to Australia, getting a university degree, living in a certain style house, etc. There are no rules to brainstorming—simply make a list.
In the third section, write down what you would do if you had only six months to live. This part of the exercise really hit home with me this week when one of my close friends passed recently. We never know how much time we have left. Part of the purpose of this exercise that works well for me is that it brings the truly important into focus. Often, I realize what I didn’t plan for was to enjoy life.
In the fourth and final section, write down one, not more than two, goals for this year. After doing the first three steps, you will find this one much easier than the others. These are the goals to focus on NOW!
This exercise only takes an hour to complete.
This goal-setting exercise is more than just a tool; it’s a wake-up call to anyone putting off their dreams for a mythical “someday” that may never come. The exercise cuts through the noise, forcing us to confront what we really want and how to get there.
What gets in the way of turning someday into today is the tyranny of everything on your to-do list, which keeps snatching your attention. Your goals are not going to achieve themselves. Success means setting a vision, managing resources, following up, and ensuring you follow through. It’s time to embrace the discipline of planning, the commitment to action, and the joy of ticking off those milestones. Start now; your future self is counting on you.