“Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity.” ~James Clear

How to Follow Through With Your Goals

The punch line is clear: people who make a specific plan for when and where they will perform a new habit are more likely to follow through. Too many people try to change their habits without these basic details figured out. We tell ourselves, “I’m going to eat healthier” or “I’m going to write more,” but we never say when and where these habits are going to happen. We leave it up to chance and hope that we will “just remember to do it” or feel motivated at the right time. An implementation intention sweeps away foggy notions like “I want to work out more” or “I want to be more productive” or “I should vote” and transforms them into a concrete plan of action.

Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity. It is not always obvious when and where to take action. Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.

Once an implementation intention has been set, you don’t have to wait for inspiration to strike. Do I write a chapter today or not? Do I meditate this morning or at lunch? When the moment of action occurs, there is no need to make a decision. Simply follow your predetermined plan.

The simple way to apply this strategy to your habits is to fill out this sentence:

I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION].

• I will meditate for one minute at 7 a.m. in my kitchen.
• I will study Spanish for twenty minutes at 6 p.m. in my bedroom.
• I will exercise for one hour at 5 p.m. in my local gym.
• I will make my partner a cup of tea at 8 a.m. in the kitchen.

Give your habits a time and a space to live in the world. The goal is to make the time and location so obvious that, with enough repetition, you get an urge to do the right thing at the right time, even if you can’t say why.

Read more at: JamesClear.com

Clarity | Eddie Pinero

1. Please go back to the 7 Day Calmness Challenge [started last Saturday] and complete the entry for the day. You should be able to hit the gear icon on your comment to add to it but, if not, please just reply to your last message.
2. Write your own implementation intention as the following: “I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION].” Put this in a place where you can review it weekly.
3. Is there anything you need clarity on that you may have overlooked for too long? Is there something that you have clarity on NOW that you took too long to consider? Please share in the comments below.

Thank you!