I set a deadline to complete my charity website by 1st December but didn’t meet it. When I think about the tasks away from my desk, they don’t seem too overwhelming, but sitting down to work on them feels daunting. This might be due to the cognitive effort required to break the work into manageable pieces, which drains my motivation. Defining a clear process and streamlining the steps could reduce this mental barrier, making it easier to dive in and progress.
Additionally, I may be setting overly ambitious timelines. As Alex Hormozi suggests: “The reason it’s taking so long is because you’re in a rush. Big things don’t happen on small timelines.” I need to consider whether my deadlines are realistic for the scope of my work.
Distractions also play a significant role. I find myself regularly checking LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, which takes up time and disrupts my focus. While I’ve deactivated Twitter, figuring out how to deactivate Facebook and Instagram has been frustrating. I want to maintain LinkedIn but reduce how often I check it.
Another distraction has been my tendency to monitor crypto markets. The constant fluctuations often pull me into micro-decisions and a cycle of checking prices. If I can refine my trading algorithm to automate these processes, I could reclaim the time and mental energy I currently spend tracking trends and market movements.
On the positive side, I’ve been more engaged with Greenlight Partners, which is great for raising my profile within the group. This could lead to collaborations or fractional opportunities. However, I feel that I need to present more wins, such as creating the “interest site” for my AI website. This site will let users register interest, access the beta version of my AI website, and enjoy early bird discounts, showcasing tangible progress to Greenlight Consulting.
My five-year hypothesis received some interest on LinkedIn, which feels encouraging. However, to stay aligned with it, I need to clearly define what success looks like at the end of this period. If I can quantify this success, it will be easier to measure my progress and course-correct.
Underlying Blocks and Mindset Challenges
Some of the blocks I face might stem from unresolved personal issues. Regretting moments where I felt I should have acted differently—shouting at my son, not stepping in to help someone, or the way my degree ended—still affects me. While these events are in the past, their lingering impact could be subtly influencing my confidence and motivation. Finding ways to forgive myself and focus on what I can control now may help me release these burdens.
Another challenge is the imbalance between my “day job” and personal projects. Freelancing work often takes up too much time, leaving little room for my entrepreneurial endeavours. If I could timebox this work more effectively and consistently start at 8 a.m., I’d likely free up time and energy for other priorities. Ensuring I go to bed at 10 p.m. regularly would also help me create a more productive routine.
Finally, I feel the need to document my reflections, not just for my own benefit but potentially for others. If my five-year hypothesis journey succeeds, these reflections could inspire or help someone else. While this may be partly driven by ego, I believe it’s worth preserving these thoughts.
Reflections on Progress
Despite my efforts, my progress has been slower than I would like. Upon reflection, a few reasons stand out:
- Overwhelm from Lack of Structure: Without breaking larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps, projects like the charity website feel daunting.
- Competing Priorities: Freelancing work often takes precedence, making it difficult to prioritise my personal projects.
- Emotional Weight: Lingering regrets from past experiences might subtly affect my motivation and confidence.
- Distractions: Regular social media use and crypto tracking dilute my focus and consume valuable time.
Next Steps
To overcome these hurdles, I plan to take the following steps:
- Reduce Distractions: I will deactivate Facebook and Instagram, or minimise their use. I will also limit LinkedIn checks to specific times and automate my crypto trading to eliminate constant monitoring.
- Awareness and Tracking: I will set up a countdown or tracker for the five-year hypothesis to maintain my focus and motivation.
- Timebox Freelancing: I will allocate fixed hours for freelance work, freeing up time for my entrepreneurial pursuits. Starting work at 8 a.m. daily, supported by a consistent 10 p.m. bedtime, will ensure I maximise my productivity.
- Charity Website: I will break the project into smaller, manageable tasks and complete one or two this week to create momentum.
- AI website Progress: I will draft and outline the “interest site” for my AI website, focusing on presenting it as a win for Greenlight Partners.
- Address Emotional Weight:
- I will reflect on and acknowledge my past regrets by journaling about these experiences in detail and identifying what I’ve learned from them.
- Practising self-compassion and recognising that my actions moving forward define who I am now will help me release these burdens.
- I may also consider speaking with a coach or mentor to explore ways to reframe these experiences positively.
Keeping on Moving
This week’s focus is about laying the groundwork—breaking tasks into manageable steps, reducing distractions, and creating space for more intentional progress. An important realisation has been that I need clarity on where I want to be at the end of five years. Without this defined vision, it’s harder to measure success or stay aligned. Reflecting on this in the coming week will help me sharpen my focus and better connect my current efforts to long-term outcomes.
Additionally, I’ve recognised the need to refine the process for building my charity website. By breaking it down into a workflow that suits me, I can get into the right work mode more quickly and reduce the resistance I currently feel when approaching the task. These adjustments are small but essential steps in the context of my larger five-year journey.
As I implement these changes, I’ll reflect on how they impact my progress, motivation, and overall approach. I’ll share these insights, along with any new learnings, in next week’s review. Stay tuned!
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