What the heck happened?
We often get stuck in the comfortable realm of ideas and planning because it feels safe. Truthfully, it feels productive. Our thought experiments are neat, controllable, and unblemished by the messiness of real life. But practice—the theory effectuated—requires us to confront resistance. Resistance from within. Resistance from the world. And that's where the gap between planning and purpose can begin to spread.
You may remember last year, we declared we would finish what we started. That commitment wasn't just about completing tasks; it was a call to look inward, to uncover the deeper reasons why we stall, hesitate, or abandon our goals. In that first blog of 2024, we explored how unfinished tasks often reveal patterns of fear, misaligned values, and/ or habits that no longer serve us.
This year, we go further. We shall tackle the divide between planning and doing—the chasm between our words and our actions, our intentions, and our realities. Bridging this gap isn't about grand gestures. It's about intentional, incremental steps.
As you know, I love to ask questions. Here are a few:
- What is one specific goal you've been sitting on?
- Why does it matter to you?
- What challenges have kept you from taking action?
- What benefits could you unlock by moving this goal forward?
- How would achieving it impact your life or work?
These aren't rhetorical questions. I earnestly want you to write them down and answer them honestly. Reflection, combined with the act of putting pen to paper, is a decisive first step. It moves you from thinking to doing—from espousing your intentions to living them.
At Think For Good, we teach that action often precedes motivation. Waiting to feel ready is a myth. Your readiness comes through movement, not stillness. Progress begins with the first step, even if it's imperfect-especially if it's imperfect.
Did you complete the inquiry above?
Let's break it down. By dividing your goal into smaller, actionable components—specific steps, required skills, and key partnerships—you create clarity and reduce overwhelm.
For example, I have yet to find a leader who didn't want to strengthen their team dynamics. Allow your first set of one-on-one check-ins to begin with facilitation introspection. Understand the individual's values, challenges, and strengths FIRST! These small, intentional actions lay the groundwork for understanding and more extensive cultural shifts. They create momentum.
(Ask me about the CORPS VATM framework. It's one of my favorite tools for turning complex goals into achievable plans.)
Progress, after all, is built in the present. The bridge between theory and practice isn't made in leaps but in deliberate, disciplined steps. When our actions are rooted in our values, they become meaningful and sustainable—not just productive.
A challenge for you...
Identify one action you can take today to cross the theory/ practice divide. It doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be a start. Because when you start, you're not just building a bridge. You're transforming your intentions into outcomes, your vision into reality.
In the next post, we'll explore how consistent practice redefines our relationship with challenges, turning resistance into resilience. Until then, take that first step. Your future self will thank you.
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2025!
Let's go!
Be well, brave, and blessed.
Tray T.S. Deadwyler, CVM, CBC, CLC
