There are two steps to doing something:

1. Making up your mind

2. Committing yourself to it

In my personal experience, commitment is an issue—especially after I've made up my mind to do something. There are times (like today/nowadays) when I'm unable to decide exactly what I want to do. And then there are times when I'm pretty clear about what I want/need to do, but I'm unable to follow through—from a commitment standpoint.

I lack commitment more often (though not always) than I struggle to make up my mind. I am going to get over this (I'm not going to "try," I will get over this).

I've got a few things going on—personally (pertaining just to me, not my wife/kids/parents/relatives—just me—"personal"), professionally, family-wise, financially, etc.—and I believe I'll be "making up my mind" on some of these things in about a week (or a "focused all-nighter"—perhaps tomorrow, maybe...). Then, I'll be committing myself to the actions required for those decisions.

Both of these things are extremely difficult:

1. Making up your mind to do something (planning)

2. Committing yourself to do those things (executing the plan)

Execution has been a bigger issue for me so far, and I am going to eliminate this issue—by executing my plans the way they should be.

What do I believe is needed for:

1. Planning:

   • Clarity of thoughts

   • Written-down thoughts (I prefer hard copies, but if a soft copy is your thing, go ahead with that)

   • Revisiting those thoughts every few days/weeks

   • Bridging the gap between your "family persona" and "official persona"

   • Bringing your love for family to your work (not the company)

   • Bringing your love for your work (not the company) to your family

   • Thinking more

   • Giving yourself "phone-free" or "distraction-free" time—daily

   • Reading what you think you are going to plan

   • Being more focused

   • Giving attention to detail

   • Being competitive

   • Being fast, faster, more efficient

   • Talking more, sharing more, feeding your mind more

   • Not "indulging" in entertainment

   • Not being addicted to anything

   • Being flexible, strong (not rigid), courageous (not bounded)

   • Being free

   • Thinking more (yes, this is repeated, because it's important—THINK MORE!)

2. Execution: Will!

I lack(ed) will, hence the lack of execution, and I'm catching up to my will... I still fail and falter, and I shrug off the problems every now and then by doing merciless introspection.

I don't make myself a fool, and I expect a very high level of "common sense" from myself during those introspection sessions.

Well—that's a lot of stuff for a post that I thought would be two lines. I guess that's what 3:30 AM does to you...removes the brakes of the thought-train, and it doesn't stop...you have to jump out from the running train (missing out on a lot of unexplored venues if you'd stayed on...but you're scared that you'd never want to jump if you continue to ride...).

Funny thoughts!