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How to do things you want to do

 

Summary

To actually do the things you want to do, you need more than motivation—it takes clarity, immediate action tactics, micro-systems, focused work, intrinsic drivers, supportive environments, resilience, and accountability. In this blog you’ll learn how to:

  1. Clarify your vision with end-state mapping and SMART goals.

  2. Defeat inertia using Mel Robbins’s 5-Second Rule.

  3. Build micro-habits that compound over time (BJ Fogg, James Clear).

  4. Harness deep focus through Cal Newport’s deep-work principles.

  5. Tap intrinsic motivation via Daniel Pink’s autonomy-mastery-purpose model.

  6. Cultivate a growth mindset à la Carol Dweck.

  7. Design your environment to remove friction.

  8. Celebrate small wins to sustain momentum.

  9. Embed accountability for follow-through.

Each section blends expert quotes, actionable steps, and live source links to guide you from “wanting” to “doing.”

Introduction: Why We Say “I Want to” and Then Don’t

You’ve likely felt that tug: a genuine desire to write, learn an instrument, launch a side project…and then, nothing happens. Psychologists point to three core barriers: a vague goal that lacks pull, resistance in the moment of action, and unsupportive habits and environments that sap intention.¹

Overcoming these hurdles requires a holistic system—not just pep talks. Let’s build yours.

1. Clarify Your Vision: Begin with the End in Mind

“Begin with the end in mind.”
—Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  Harvard Summer School

Before you act, know exactly what success looks like. Spend five minutes writing a vivid picture:

  • What will you have accomplished?

  • How will you feel?

  • When exactly will you know you’ve arrived?


    • This crystal-clear infographic helps readers grasp goal-setting at a glance

             (PDF version of this picture: SMART-Goals.pdf )


1.1 Set SMART Goals

SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound—turn fuzzy dreams into clear targets:

  • Specific: “Write a 500-word blog post,” not “Write more.”

  • Measurable: “Five posts by month’s end.”

  • Achievable: Set limits you can hit.

  • Relevant: Align with your larger “why.”

  • Time-bound: Deadlines create urgency.² Mindtools

2. Defeat Inertia: The 5-Second Rule

“The secret to changing your life isn’t knowing what to do—it’s knowing how to make yourself do it.”
—Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule Psychology Today



 

When the thought “I should do X” arises, count 5-4-3-2-1, then move. That countdown interrupts your brain’s autopilot and jumps you into action.³

3. Build Micro-Habits: Systems Over Willpower

3.1 Tiny Habits

“There are only three things we can do that will create lasting change: have an epiphany, change our environment, or change our habits in tiny ways.”
—BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits Goodreads

Link a new 30-second habit (e.g., opening your notebook) to an existing routine (e.g., after morning coffee). Over time, these tiny actions snowball into major shifts.


                                      

3.2 Compound Interest of Habits

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement…The effects of your habits multiply as you repeat them.”
—James Clear, Atomic Habits James Clear

Focus on 1% improvements each day. They seem trivial moment-to-moment but yield exponential gains over months.

4. Harness Deep Focus: Fight Shallow Work

“The ability to concentrate intensely is a skill that must be trained.”
—Cal Newport, Deep Work Parker Klein | Personal Website

Time-block 60–90-minute distraction-free sessions. Eliminate notifications, close tabs, and treat these blocks as sacred lab time for your craft.


5. Tap Intrinsic Motivation: Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose

“He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and offers…techniques for putting these into action.”
—Daniel Pink, Drive Daniel Pink



  • Autonomy: Give yourself choice (“I will write from 8–9 AM”).

  • Mastery: Track progress snapshots (“Last week I wrote 3 posts; this week I’ll write 4”).

  • Purpose: Anchor tasks to meaning (“My posts help people learn productivity hacks”).

6. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Learn from Failure

“The passion for stretching yourself … even when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset.”
—Carol Dweck, Mindset Goodreads

When you slip up, ask: What can I learn? This shifts mistakes from threats to feedback, fueling resilience.


7. Design Your Environment: Remove Friction

Prevent decision fatigue by pre-committing and automating:

  • Keep your guitar out of its case so you pick it up more often.

  • Schedule weekly auto-transfers to your savings account.

  • Use website-blocking apps during your deep-work slots.

As Fogg notes, environmental tweaks often trump willpower.



8. Celebrate Small Wins: Keep the Momentum

“Celebrating small wins can boost your mood and improve confidence in your accomplishments.”
—Harvard Summer School Harvard Summer School

Mark every micro-victory—checklists, habit-tracker apps, or even a quick “Done!” post-it on your wall—to reinforce progress.

9. Embed Accountability: Share Your Commitments

“Obligers can team up with an accountability partner: a trainer, coach, or friend.”
—Psychology Today Psychology Today

  • Pick someone supportive, not judgmental.

  • Schedule brief check-ins (weekly or biweekly).

  • Share clear metrics: “I wrote 1,000 words this week—over to you to call me out if I miss.”

External stakes often bridge the gap between plans and performance.



Bringing It All Together: Your Action Blueprint

  1. Define your vivid end state and SMART goals (Section 1).

  2. Use the 5-second rule to start (Section 2).

  3. Anchor a one-minute habit this week (Section 3).

  4. Block 90 minutes for deep work tomorrow (Section 4).

  5. Remind yourself why you’re doing this—your autonomy, mastery, and purpose (Section 5).

  6. Reframe your last setback as a lesson (Section 6).

  7. Tweak your space to remove one friction point (Section 7).

  8. Celebrate your next micro-win visibly (Section 8).

  9. Tell your accountability partner by 6 PM today (Section 9).

By weaving these science-backed strategies into your daily life, you’ll transform “I want to” into “I did it,” one small step at a time.


SOURCES:





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