Stop Putting It Off: How to Break Free from Delaying Your Goals
In my previous post, I introduced our five-step formula to navigating unexpected change. The beauty of this Becoming Unapologetically You approach is its versatility — these steps can apply at any stage in life, especially when your self-talk starts holding you back.
Sitting on a rock on Table Mountain looking out over a cloud-covered Table Bay.
“I will,” “Next time,” “I’m just…” Sound familiar? These phrases seem innocent but often become barriers between us and the futures we envision. Our internal wiring is powerful and while humans are wonderfully complex, we’re surprisingly good at fooling ourselves out of progress. How many times have we promised to commit, only to let these phrases give us a “get out of jail free” card? "Next week, I’ll start." "I’ll get to it after this other [fill in the blank]." And on it goes.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The journey to Becoming Unapologetically You is about moving past those excuses, facing the limiting self-talk, and building a path to an authentic life, one grounded in your values, strengths, and vision. Here’s how each step can shift your mindset (and you incidentally).
The 5 Steps to Breaking Free and Taking Charge of Your Path:
Hover: Pause and observe your life from above (like a time-agnostic helicopter remember?). By looking at where you are, where you’ve been, and where you could go, you start seeing patterns and begin to imagine your potential. Include in your reflection your lineage, your parents, their parents, the city or town you grew up in, the schools you attended, your childhood friends. Sometimes these memories uncover hidden gems or barriers even.
Hold: Reflect on what matters most. What values anchor you? What strengths can you always fall back on? What do people keep coming to you for? By clarifying these, you create a foundation that guides you toward the future you want to build.
Harness: Take those insights and imagine a way forward, one that aligns with who you truly are. This is where “one day” becomes today, with actionable steps that feel right and real for you.
Hasten: Take the first step immediately. Taking just one step builds momentum. A small action now beats a large plan for tomorrow every time. Remember: progress over perfection.
Harvest: Celebrate each milestone and lesson. With every step, you’ll see the growth that strengthens and empowers your next steps.
As you can see, the 5-step formula is applicable when your head gets in your way as much as when unintended change hits you. But here’s the thing, you’ve got this. All you need to do is actually do something about it.
Call to Action:
Are you ready to move past the “I will” and start doing? If you need a little nudge, some extra support, accountability, or maybe feel you're lacking the confidence to do it alone, I’m here for you. At Next Step Leadership, our mission is to amplify and empower voices often unheard, guiding clients toward their authentic lives. Sometimes that voice is inside us and we need to hear it said out loud. Let’s take that next step together. Reach out today, and let’s start your journey to Becoming Unapologetically You.
