Mindset/Productivity

Use Next-Step Thinking to Finish What You Start — Every Time

Move forward in a positive direction with confidence

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” — Alan Lakein

Why is it so many of us fumble at the finish line?

We have a sense of what we want — the end goal — but too often, the prize eludes us. And frankly, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

In an article by Royston Guest on the subject, he writes:

“Having a strategy is about making sure you are in the driver’s seat with a clear vision of where it is you want to get to, why you want to go there, and how you’re going to turn your vision into reality a.k.a your plan.”

Cause and effect are real.

And if only part of the equation is considered, the consequences can be dismal.

For example, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Do what you want and ask for forgiveness later.” To me, this statement makes a huge assumption that forgiveness will always be an available option — a way out of a less-than-favorable outcome resulting from questionable behavior.

But it isn’t.

And if by chance you are able to convince someone to tolerate your reckless actions, the person doing the forgiving now understands your irresponsible and discourteous nature. And they will remember.

So how can we make sure our efforts not only fulfill the dreams that mean so much to us, but also take into account the critical aspects of planning and follow-through? Can we really figure out a way to keep our goals from slipping away into obscurity?

It comes down to an absence of next-step thinking.

For many, the repeated failure to succeed is caused by a reluctance to consider where their actions and thoughts may ultimately take them. And by continually exhibiting knee-jerk reactions and sticking with an “in-the-moment” mindset, there’s little room for consideration of how they’ll actually finish what they started.

Problem is, living in an “act right now” state of mind — without acknowledging the reality that time moves forward — often causes those nasty after-affects. And a lack of intentional mental foresight can keep all your future successes just out of reach.

So what exactly is next-step thinking?

And how can we use it to achieve results and stay on a positive path?

A friend of a friend, let’s call her Sandy, is a good example of a person who reacts with an “immediate need” type of behavior. This single-minded response has kept Sandy from completing a degree, meeting her weight loss objectives, and finishing the projects leading to a promotion — not to mention a trailing string of failed relationships. Because when she started all of these ventures with her mental approach of “right now is all that’s important,” she didn’t have a future mindset in place.

Here’s a personal story ...

Several of our friends, including Sandy, decided to go to dinner together. Sandy quickly volunteered to drive and darted for her car. Slipping into the driver’s seat, she started the engine and tapped the horn. The rest of us got the message and scurried along, barely getting the doors closed as Sandy stepped on the gas.

We hadn’t even talked about where we were going. But it didn’t seem to matter to Sandy. Neither did putting on her seat belt. And as the alarm began dinging, she let out an exasperated breathe, rolled her eyes, and dramatically secured the latch — as if blaming the belt for not doing its own job. Then she peeled onto the highway in the wrong direction — away from town and all the restaurants.

From the back seat, I politely asked Sandy where she was headed and which route she’d be taking. Because I realized by the time she finally figured it out, we’d be five miles into the suburbs, having missed the important turn. Not only would we have wasted time, gas, and energy, the frustration level in the vehicle was rising with Sandy’s impatient attitude.

Her answer? “I don’t know, I just had to get in the car and go.”

Go where? I thought. The answer, and her logic, still escapes me.

Sandy had reacted to our impromptu outing with an singularly undirected state of mind — and little thought about the next, or even first step in planning a relaxing evening out with friends. Her snap decision to “just go” without a direction or destination in mind resulted in a false start. Because she hadn’t allowed for any consideration of where she was headed — or how to get there.

And I have to wonder …

If I hadn’t asked the obvious question while Sandy was tooling down the wrong street in the wrong direction, where exactly would she end up? More important, how would she know when she arrived?

It seemed to me when she finally figured it out, the journey would have taken more than a few unnecessary detours — even possibly reaching a dead end.

This is where next-step thinking comes into play.

Some might call it planning or preparation. But in essence, the idea is that, at any moment in time, we should also be considering what the next step will be. Because if you’re not clear about the direction you’re headed or the goal you want to achieve, you’ll never get there.

Think of it as setting your course before raising the sail.

Let’s give this a little road test, so to speak.

• Right now you’re reading this article, listening to the voice in your head and trying to get a grasp on the concept. My hope would be, at the same time, you’re thinking about how you can take the ideas from this piece and incorporate them into your life as a next step.
• Some of you may decide there’s nothing here of merit, and will leave the story and move on. And that’s okay, too, because it tells me you’re already thinking about reading another article — which to me is an indication of a next step in the process of exploring new, different ideas.
• At the same time, you might be thinking about what to make for dinner, which programs to watch tonight, and how many emails you need to return. And along with those thoughts, you’re imagining what steps you’ll take in accomplishing those tasks — before you start them.

Keeping on track and on purpose are vital in our continuing journey of growth and success.

Making mental room for how to reach your goals and defining the steps that will move you in a forward direction — without enduring too many false starts — is the key.

What’s your next step?

“A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” — Brian Tracy

© 2021 Jill Reid. All Rights Reserved.

Jill Reid is the author of Real Life and Discover Your Personal Truth.

Jill Reid is the founder of Pathway to Personal Growth and author of Real Life and Discover Your Personal Truth. Her books and articles explore life, happiness, self-improvement, health, productivity, relationships, and personal success strategies.