Page 154 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

122 End Procrastination Now!
Goal:

Sequence of Planned Steps Check When Completed

Backward Planning

In backward planning, you imagine that it is a year from today and
you are looking back over a very productive period. I’ll use physical
exercise as an example to show how this planning sequence
works.
From this imaginary future point in time, trace back how you
accomplished a priority goal to engage in physical exercise three
times a week for 45 minutes a session. In working backward, you
can say:

5. I worked out for a year, and I am in great shape and feel
energetic.
4. I continued with my schedule, and I refused to cut myself
any slack.
3. Before that, I entered the gym for the first time and began
the program.
2. Before that, I phoned the fitness center and set up an
appointment.
1. Before that, I accepted a feeling of discomfort as part of
the process of going from where I am to where I’d like to
be, and I stubbornly refused to substitute diversion for
purposeful accomplishments.