What is one thing you’ve been putting off for a while? A vacation? Finding a new job? Buying a home? When we aren’t ready to commit to something, we give it a date of “someday”. It’s human nature to dream, but dreaming doesn’t spark a result. I assure you, “someday” isn’t on the calendar, so if you want to make things happen, create accountability.
“Someday”—also known as “one of these days”—conveys a half-hearted desire. How many times have you driven past a particular restaurant, store, or attraction, and promised yourself to stop here “someday”? And how often have you actually stopped and explored them?
Someday, you’ll take that class.
Someday, you’ll stop smoking.
Someday, you’ll take that dream vacation.
Someday, you’ll reach out to an old friend.
Someday, you’ll write that book.
I know when Monday is. I definitely know when Friday comes. I know the dates for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and New Year’s Day. But “Someday” is not on any calendar that I’ve ever seen.
The biggest threat to procrastinators
The biggest threat to the Someday Person is the calendar. Pinpointing a date to achieve your wish adds the dreaded threat of accountability. You’ve set a target that you need to hit. And that scares the heck out of people who procrastinate their way through life.
People use the word “someday” when they have no firm date, when they can’t commit to effecting an action. It’s a vague notion, a delay tactic. By assigning such a vague deadline gives you an out. It’s right up there with the age-old parental response to a child’s question: “Maybe.”
“Maybe” usually means, “I intend to say ‘no’ but I don’t want to argue the point right now.”
“Someday” means “I’d love it to happen but don’t feel committed to making it a priority in the foreseeable future.”
Any individual who is truly focused on achievement recognizes that a goal without a deadline is merely a wish. How often do your wishes come true? Let’s say you told yourself that this year’s “goal” is to increase sales by 20 percent. However, you never developed an actionable plan to achieve that objective. Do you think your wish will come true?
Conversely, when you analyze the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve that sales goal, you have a map to guide you. By assigning deadlines to each step along this journey, you incorporate a process to hold yourself accountable. If you miss a deadline, rework your schedule to stay on track for your target. You learn from whatever detours you took and adjust your plan accordingly. You don’t simply abandon the effort!
If you’re serious about achievement, build a strategy, create an action plan, and assign a realistic timeline for every step. “ASAP” is not a deadline. “Someday” isn’t on the calendar. But your goals should be!
