A few months ago, I had something important sitting on my list.
Working on a bigger-picture plan for my business.
No deadline. No pressure. No one waiting on it.
And every day, I told myself, I’ll get to it tomorrow.
Tomorrow turned into next week.
Next week turned into… still not done.
Meanwhile, I was busy.
Answering emails. Checking things off.
But every night, that one thing?
Still sitting there…quietly draining me.
Here’s the thing:
When there’s no deadline… most people never make one.
- The strategic project.
- The workout.
- The relationship you want to nurture.
- The idea you keep saying you’ll “get to.”
But those are the things that actually move your life and work forward.
And they’re also the easiest to delay.
Here’s what actually works.
Step #1: Create a decision, not a feeling
Most people wait to feel motivated.
But motivation is unreliable.
It comes and goes based on energy, mood, and what’s easiest in the moment.
 |
Instead, decide in advance. Answer two questions:
WHAT am I doing?
WHEN am I doing it?
That’s it.
When there’s no deadline, your brain keeps the task in the “optional” category.
And optional things get pushed.
A decision removes the option.
It turns “I should work on that” into:
“This is happening at 10 am.”
You don’t need motivation when you’ve already decided.
Step #2: Make it smaller than you think it should be
One reason we avoid things without deadlines is that they feel big.
And big feels heavy.
So we delay.
 |
Instead of saying, “I need to work on this for three hours,” lower the bar.
- Work on it for 20 minutes.
- Draft one section.
- Make one call.
This isn’t about lowering standards.
It’s about lowering resistance.
Because the moment something feels easier, you stop negotiating with yourself… and you start.
Once you start, momentum takes over.
And starting is always the hardest part.
Step #3: Protect it like it matters
Putting it on your calendar is a start.
But let’s be honest… You can move your own blocks anytime.
So the real shift isn’t scheduling it.
It’s deciding that time is not available.
Before the day starts, decide:
- Would I give this up for a meeting?
- For email?
- For something that feels more urgent?
- Or would I keep it?
You’ve got to make it harder to move.
Treat it like a meeting that matters.
Show up even if you don’t feel like it.
Close your door. Turn off notifications. Hold the time.
If you wouldn’t cancel it on someone else, don’t cancel it on yourself.
The Bottom Line
Deadlines create action because they remove choice.
So when there isn’t one, you have to replace it.
- Decide in advance what you’ll do and when.
- Make it small enough to start.
- And treat it like a meeting that matters.
Because you know what matters most in your day?
When your head hits the pillow, and you think:
That mattered.
Here’s my question to you:
When can you create that feeling without needing a deadline?
That’s when you’re really in control.
Xo,
Mridu
P.S. Want to talk about fun, interactive ways to get focused and have stronger performance? Learn about team training here or explore one-to-one coaching here.
P.S.S. Friends don’t let friends feel peaceful alone. Share this with a colleague or bestie!
Leave a Reply