Write it Down

by Jonathan Longnecker

Continuing on our theme of planning and making goals, I want to talk for a minute about why it’s important to write things down. I’ll be the first to say that I have failed miserably at this over the past year. In my never ending attempt to “de-clutter” my life I’ve tried to put everything in the computer and rid my desk of all those pesky pieces of paper. Well, I think I may have been wrong on a number of levels. For now we’ll focus on why you need to write down your goals.

What Did I Do?

I’ve been attempting some exercise with this crazy video series and one thing the guy said really stuck with me: “How can you know what to do if you don’t know what you did?” Excellent question dude who makes every part of my body ache. The answer is (unless we have a photographic memory) that we don’t. We have nothing to reach towards or beat from the last time around. Sure it’s easier to not write stuff down, but you won’t make any measurable progress.

Where Am I Going?

The thing with those big picture goals is that they seem so far away and unattainable right now that we try to keep them in the back of our mind. “We’ll get there one day,” we say to ourselves. Sorry, but it’s not gonna happen! You’ll get so wrapped up in day-to-day activities that you’ll wake up 5 years later and be nowhere closer. Why? You didn’t write it down! You had nothing concrete to strive towards so you didn’t do anything. Yes, I’m yelling at myself right now! More exclamation points!!!

How Do I Get There?

That’s a great question, smarty pants. You write it down. Not just the big “I want to own an island off the Caribbean” dream, but the steps to get to that dream. Ok, so we’ll need some serious cash first. Say 5 million? (I have no idea). Alright how do we get there? Sell your liver? Make more websites? Work for Goldman-Sachs? Getting the idea? Alright, now you’ve got them money so it’s time to go scope out islands for sale. Find one. Make an offer. Do the paperwork. Bingo. Guess what? All this goes on paper way before you get there. Why? So you can make measurable progress and reach your goal. If a step to a goal is long and complicated, assign the tasks it will take to complete it. This way you have small, easily attainable milestones that can be accomplished one at a time. Before you know it you’ll building your grass hut on your very own island!

So take a little time and write your dreams down. You might just make them happen.

July 22, 2009

Business, Personal

Comments

  1. 1

    Joshua Hays - Jul 22, 2009

    Excellent post! I cannot tell you how many successful people encourage you to write down your thoughts and goals in checklist format, to cut out images of the things you want (cars, houses, islands) and paste them to your bathroom mirror and be reminded everyday of what it is you want to achieve.

    By doing this, you are convincing your mind that it needs to do whatever it takes to make those things happen and adds a positive influence to your mornings. I k now it is something I do and the best part of it all is crossing out the things that I achieved!

    Thanks for the post.

  2. 2

    thesnarkyone - Jul 22, 2009

    One of my favorite quotes: “If you don’t write it down then it did not happen.”

  3. 3

    Jason Maynard - Jul 22, 2009

    Great post! I’ve been thinking the exact same thing and making more of an effort to write down my goals, dreams, etc. And after my first day of P90X yesterday, i’m feeling the same aches as well. : ) This scripture comes to mind and i’ve been reminded of it often lately:
    Habakkuk 2:2-3

    2 Then the LORD replied:
        “Write down the revelation
        and make it plain on tablets
        so that a herald may run with it.

    3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
        it speaks of the end
        and will not prove false.
        Though it linger, wait for it;
        it will certainly come and will not delay.

  4. {screen_name}

    Jonathan Longnecker - Jul 23, 2009

    Hey Jason,

    That’s an awesome scripture, man. Thanks for sharing!

  5. 5

    Pozycjonowanie - Jul 27, 2009

    I’m follower of “paper” way. I think that writing some notes on paper makes them more valuable, more accessible and visible. That is important because You can always reach and read. You can’t do it with digital notes. And the paper will not crash with the whole system. Paper written notes cannot be erased so easily. But the whole idea of making notes is great. I also do so. Earlier there were some amazing ideas (amazing for me, not for everyone wink ) and dissapeared as fast as they appeared. That is because human brain is not developed to store all the information it gets. And also memories are being selected to stay or to go.

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