How to See Real Progress 
The key to accomplishing anything from finishing a project to going on a trip to climbing a mountain is consistent action in the direction of a goal:
1. Write down what you want to accomplish in a place where you will see it every day. (For instance at the top of my calendar, I have a list of the next places I want to travel. You can also put your goals on your to do list, tape them to your cabinet door, put them up as a screen saver. Whatever works for you.)
2. List out the next steps. For instance, if you’re planning a trip, write down these types of activities:
- Look at calendar for potential dates
- Call friends and/or family to see if these times work for them
- Check out flight prices & set an alert to let you know when costs drop
- Think through lodging/transportation options
- Look up the prices online
- Check if you can use rewards points
- Browse the Web or go to the library or bookstore for ideas on activities
- If traveling abroad, check on necessary paperwork/immunizations and start to schedule appointments
- Buy travel insurance
- Decide if you need to make any purchases & make a shopping list
- Put up out of office messages
- Etc., etc., etc.
3. Make note of anything with a very specific deadline or that needs to be done a certain amount of time in advance (like one month). Look over your calendar and set aside specific days when you will have a reminder to complete these activities on time.
4. Start telling people about what you’re doing so you have some positive peer pressure to keep moving forward (or get a coach to keep you accountable–in an encouraging way ;o)
5. Set aside a certain time each week when you will move forward on less time sensitive activities that need to be completed to move toward your goal. For instance, one hour on Saturday mornings. When you get to that time, spend that hour working on whatever is next. (It’s OK if you don’t finish a whole action item, you just need to be making consistent progress.)
6. CELEBRATE your progress! Give yourself some type of reward for moving forward such as a stop at your favorite ice cream place, a call with a friend, or buying a new book. (Whatever you find motivating!)
7. Watch as you accomplish your goal. It’s amazing how consistent action leads to results. Think of the little bulbs that put down roots and put up stalks and burst into flower. Seemingly “overnight” results come from consistent effort.
To stop feeling frustrated, get clear on what you want, plant seeds, cultivate them, and watch them grow!
Have a brilliant week!
Elizabeth
About Real Life E®
Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time management coach and best-selling author who empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished. She helps people struggling with new levels of responsibility after receiving a promotion or becoming a parent, who aren’t meeting expectations at work, or who need better work-life balance to overcome burnout.
Elizabeth was named one of the World’s Top 30 Time Management Professionals by Global Gurus every year since 2018 and is a member of Forbes Coaches Council. McGraw Hill published her first book The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment: How to Achieve More Success with Less Stress. Harvard Business Review published her second book How to Invest Your Time Like Money. And FaithWords published her third book Divine Time Management. Elizabeth regularly writes time management articles for Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox.
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