Your First Three Decisions: How to Start Today
We’ve covered the why and the how. We’ve broken down the system from vision to daily action, discussed measurement, and planned for reality. Now, it’s time to move from learning to doing. The biggest barrier to progress is often the belief that you need a perfect, complex system before you can start. You don’t. You just need to make a few simple decisions and take one small step. The essence of The Focused Method is clarity and action, so let’s distill this entire guide into three decisions you can make in the next 15 minutes to begin harnessing the power of a Done List.
First, choose your one primary focus for the rest of this month. Don’t worry about the full quarter yet. Just look at the calendar. What is the one thing you want to make tangible progress on in the next two to four weeks? It could be a piece of a larger project or a single habit you want to establish. Write it down as a simple objective. This act of choosing provides immediate clarity and reduces the overwhelm of having too many competing priorities. This single focus will be the source of all the items on your first Done Lists.
Second, define your weekly input goal for that focus. What is the controllable, repeatable action that will drive progress? Don’t overthink it. If your focus is on a fitness goal, your input might be “Complete two 20-minute workouts.” If it’s a work project, it might be “Dedicate three 45-minute blocks of focused time to the project.” The key is to make it a realistic commitment based on your current schedule. This is your leading indicator of success. Your only job for the week is to hit this target. This decision transforms your vague intention into a clear, weekly mission.
Third, and most importantly, decide what your very first action will be and when you will do it. What is the smallest possible step you can take to get started? Schedule it. Put it in your calendar for today or tomorrow. Maybe it’s “Outline the project for 15 minutes” or “Lay out my workout clothes for tomorrow morning.” After you complete this tiny task, write it down on a piece of paper, in a notebook, or in a simple text file. Title it “My Done List.” That’s it. You’ve started. You’ve broken inertia and created your first piece of evidence that you are someone who follows through. This single act is the foundation of the entire system.
These three decisions—choosing a focus, defining the input, and scheduling the first small action—are all you need to begin. The Done List is not another chore to add to your plate. It is a tool of empowerment, a personal record of your own resilience and effort. By celebrating what you do, you build the confidence and momentum to do even more. Stop waiting for motivation to strike. Start building it, one completed task at a time.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, financial situation, or legal matter.
