There are a lot of mottoes and slogans like “Carpe Diem” and “the early bird gets the worm” but no one puts it as succinctly and bluntly as Nike’s longtime slogan: “Just Do It”.
I think this is going to be my new motto since I tend to struggle with being consistently productive. I’m a great one at making lists and goals and schedules, but it’s a whole other thing to actually stick to them. It’s not a matter of being too busy, it’s just a matter of…just not doing it.
It’s not usually the pressing things; those get done right away since they need to. I prepare for my classes and pay my bills, but the larger, more long term things often get put off.
As an example, I have an elderly relative whom I write letters to from time to time. She is probably the last person I know who doesn’t have Internet access. However, I haven’t written to her for months. I’ve thought about her a lot, but haven’t written. How long does it take to write a letter? 5-10 minutes, at the most. So, why don’t I just do it?
The same is with submitting stories to literary magazines. It’s something I want to do and is part of my (hopefully) future career, but I haven’t been as proactive as I’d like to be. I’ve submitted some, but not nearly as many as I could have by now.
So what’s the answer? I’ve been trying to be very disciplined in how much time I spend on time wasters like games (read Minecraft) and online videos and I’m trying to make small goals each day.
What do you do to make sure you get the things done that you need to?
The Green-Walled Tower 
October 9th, 2013 at 12:06 am
My muse has deserted me like the internet speed here! so I know what you are talking about!
my heart keeps telling her just do it, but she never accomplishes the tasks and replies I did it.
October 9th, 2013 at 2:00 am
Little known fact. The slogan “Just do it” was purportedly inspired by a man in Utah who killed 2 people in 1976: Gary Gilmore. Just before he was executed he was asked if he had any last words. His last words were “Let’s do it.” Let’s got changed to Just and the rest, as they say, is history.
October 9th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
ouch!
October 9th, 2013 at 5:11 am
I’m not “just doing it” all the time! I pick up the knitting needles and there goes everything else!
October 9th, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Every word you wrote was completely people could relate with. A very nice written article. (Y)
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My blog. Check it out
October 12th, 2013 at 3:15 am
The logo is an affirmation of their slogan, a rare combination and you’re doing pretty good for yourself David. Cheers!
October 14th, 2013 at 11:12 pm
[…] the extra mile. Try it. Just do it, […]
October 15th, 2013 at 12:52 am
Oh, gosh, you are not alone, David. I see you as such a productive person here on your blog. Like you, I have lots of things that hang in the balance and put off doing. For me, it’s working on a longer story (novel?). I tried to write everyday on it, and then I’ll have a whole week when I don’t do anything! I think the best way, of course, is to just DO IT! Maybe in your case, since these things are kind of “extra” you can put them on an “extra” list, only treat it as a “normal” list. See, it’s all psychological! Or you can just DO IT! You do it. Go do it!! Good luck!