It’s true in every sport. There’s a reason games, matches and competitions are held. The pregame training and predictions are fantastic, but all boils down to playing the game. Do the work, execute the plays, just do it!
Goals are necessary, organization sets the framework, but in the end it’s all about the execution. To continue our Fall #MemoryMakeover series, this month we will focus on execution. Putting all we have planned for into motion. We’ve set our memory goals and discussed habits to help. We’ve organized, found tools and how-to tips to assist. Now it’s time to just do it with all our memory hopes and dreams.
Just Do It
November can be a great month procrastinate with the busy holiday season coming, but let’s not delay any longer. Procrastination only makes things worse. It can happen at any age, but as we get older, we tend to procrastinate more often. Postponing complex tasks is easier than learning new. Routines are less taxing and more comfortable for our brain.
The reason I advocate for implementing new habits is to counteract the comfortable, challenge ourselves, and also to create healthier patterns. Habits are great learning tools for our brain and the sooner we begin, the sooner new ideas and practices become routine.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at execution habits, research and memory tips. But the most important place to start is at the beginning. With the decision to just do it (whatever the ‘it’ is)!
The hardest step is the first. The first foray into a new idea, practice, task, or applied knowledge is tricky and can be a bit daunting. We’re not sure if it’s correct, we’ll succeed, or if it’ll help. But the only way to know (and get better) is to try.
Ideally before that first step, goals have been created and things are organized and ready to go. If not, review the previous posts in this series and then come back, it’ll make things easier. Once ready for the first step, here are some general strategies to help with your #MemoryMakeover goal(s):
Execution Strategies:
- Just do it! Take a small step toward your goal today. Any step is a good step. Utilize all that’s been organized and start. Often once we take the first step, the next come easier.
- Enlist a friend or family member to join you! Anything can be made more fun with friends. Yes, our goals may be related to our own personal memory, but many of us share the same issues-remembering names, appointments, or remembering new things in our lives. When we join with others, it creates accountability and increases the chances we’ll continue with our execution.
- Keep going! It’s difficult to always see what’s next. But the future is a whole lot clearer when we keep moving forward. Even if you’re tired or it’s difficult, ask what small step can you take to keep going. Then just do it!
- Assess as you go. The first steps are most difficult because they’re unknown. But once we are on the path toward our goals, we may see things that need to change. Assess as you go and adjust as needed. Sometimes memory techniques may not work as planned or other things may need to be broken down into more steps etc. Assess and adapt to move forward well.
This week’s #MemoryMakeover homework is guess what? Execute! Just begin on your next steps toward your memory wellness goal(s).
Execution begins with the first step. Let’s take those critical first steps toward our memory goals and more memorable moments! Reach out and let me know how things are going or if I can help. Here’s to excellent execution as we just do it!