Last week I made a presentation to the graduating class at Ashton College. It is a local college that provides career and continuing education to both domestic and international students. Preparing for the appropriate words of wisdom gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own journey and the journeys of those I have worked with throughout the years. In my work as an organizing & productivity consultant, one of the most common things that I encounter are people who deal with procrastination. They struggle with developing systems to reach their goals and make things happen.
There’s a saying by Nicholas Murray Butler, “People are divided into three groups: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.” Every one of us, at some point, deals with procrastination and even the most organized lose their way. It’s overwhelming at times to know where to start when the piles are so high and the to-do lists are so long. Life will continually throw things in our paths whether it’s through paper mail, email, or interactions with people. Our lists and intentions will continue to grow. It’s about adapting to change and circumstances and thinking about things in a different way.
My Story
I grew up watching my Dad work in hotels and working in my Dad’s restaurant. I grew up wondering what was happening because he was able to create such a buzz and excitement for his loyal customers. So it was no surprise that when I was ready I wanted to make things happen for myself. I followed in his footsteps and entered into a career of over 20 years in the hotel/restaurant industry. When the events of 9-11 struck, I lost my job with the downturn of the hotel economy. All I knew was the hotel industry. I asked myself, “So what now?”
What did I want to do? I had no idea, otherwise, I would be there already. I had to look at things differently and adapt to the changes that were before me. There’s another saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” I needed a plan, a system, a map. I had to map out what I wanted, what my goal was. Then, I had to decide how I was going to get there? How I was to accomplish my goal? Which road would I travel to get there?
Success can be defined in many ways and is different for everyone. It may be about money, a job, providing for your family, status. For me, it was to be self-employed with my own business. Whatever it is, your goals can change and will change. It is so easy to sit back and procrastinate and think one day, maybe later… to watch – as things fly by, to wonder “What if?”
Make thing happen:
- Adapt to the changes that will always come your way
- Look at things differently (do something different)
- Set your goals (determine what you want to achieve)
- Design your road map (how are you going to get there?)
- Be persistent, be brave, take one step at a time
Which person do you want to be? The person who makes things happen, watches things happen, or wonders what happened?
Image by cuz.gallery on rawpixel.
