From “someday” to now: Turning goals into actual progress

August 14, 2025

We all seem so busy these days. As an owner-operator of an SME, studying an executive MBA and spending time with loved ones, I too sometimes fall into the trap of a sedentary lifestyle. But I’m ready to make a change. Visit my blog for lifestyle features that I find interesting. Hopefully you will find something of interest too.

Tough Truth

If you have been telling yourself you will ‘get around to it’ someday, Someday is not on the calendar.

This is a death zone where good intentions go to die.

Now if you are really wanting progress, you have to turn your vague intentions into concrete actions and you really have to do it now. Not when life magically calms down or in that 3 hour free slot on Tuesday that you know is not going to be free come Tuesday.

Why “Someday” Is Dangerous

The word someday is comfort food for the brain. Here lies your false sense of commitment and also this required zero action.

It feels safe because you have set yourself no deadline, therefore you have presented yourself with no risk of failure. You can now also believe that you are ‘working on it’ in your head, but we know that isn’t true.

A goal without a plan is just a wish – Wishes do not move you forward.

Step 1: Define Your Destination (Properly)

Stop ‘I want to get fit’ > Say ‘I want to run a 5k without stopping by the end of the year’.

You now have a specific goal, it is measurable and time-bound. Suddenly, progress has become trackable.

Step 2: Reverse-Engineer Your Path

Take your final goal and work backwards:

Month 3: Run 3k | Month 2: Run 2k | Month 1: Run 1k, 3 times a week

This has now turned an abstract dream into a personalised step-by-step roadmap for achieving your goal.

Step 3: Shrink Your First Step

The key here is to not aim too big at the very start; this is where most people fail. Your first step wants to be so small that you cannot reasonably say no to doing it.

Day 1 – Put on running trainers and walk for 5 minutes

Day 2 – Jog for 1 minute

Smalls wins accumulate quickly, create momentum and start to build your new identity.

Step 4: Time-Box Your Effort

If you are still waiting for “free-time” to get started on that thing, SPOILER, it is not coming.

You need to schedule your progress like a meeting in your calendar that you cannot skip.

Put it in your calendar. Treat it as a commitment, not a nice to complete suggestion.

Step 5: Track, Adjust, Repeat

Progress is a loop, not a straight line. Often, it represents a hockey stick the longer you maintain your habits.

It is important that you track what you are doing. Adjust when life happens. Allow yourself to keep your focus on consistent action, not aiming for perfect execution.

Why This Works

Clarity beats motivation. Knowing exactly what to do takes a load off your brain and allows you to gain or keep momentum.

Small step build strong habits. Habits are what will ensure you create sustainable momentum.

Deadlines create urgency. Good news – Urgency beats procrastination.