How to become a doer without killing the dreamer in you

If you’re thinking of becoming a doer from a dreamer, you will forever remain at loss. Being a dreamer is not a bad thing at all. In fact, one cannot become a doer if they are not first a dreamer. But dreams can be very comfortable as they are easy; and because they are easy, they have more takers. We choose it because it’s the good-looking cousin of an ugly reality. But to be or do anything of value in this world, one has to strike a balance between these two personalities. The world needs dreamers and doers but what it needs more is for these two to be the same person. Here’s how you can start being that.

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Give your goals a form outside of your mind

The genie wasn’t meant to be in the lamp. Dreams, in a similar way, need to materialise before your eyes. Write them down, look at them, admire them even (ideas are always glamorous). Writing them down is a way of solidifying them so they can be better examined. You’ll now be able to ask questions – what are the things I need to do to achieve this? How practical is it? What is my first or next move? Before you know it, you will already have mapped out a feasible plan.

Stop running from the necessary

It is as simple and obvious as this: What needs to be done will always need to be done, and running away from it won’t change that. We all put off the daunting and the demanding tasks for later, but it is best to finish them in the first half of your day. Bank or finance work, paperwork, or setting up meetings are the kind of work that’s not a lot of fun but still very important. When you get these out of the way – thus out of your mind – you’ll feel much lighter, more accomplished and more positive. The more daunting the task, the better will be these rewards.

Set small goals with deadlines

Small goals are easier to achieve because disciplining yourself to achieve them is not very taxing. Picking yourself up and moving on when you fail is also that much easier when your goal is not too far-reaching. Small goals are small, systematic steps and frankly, the only way of moving ahead when it gets foggy (which it almost always does). Deciding to make three to four calls per day or sending out five to six emails are small goals that you can you build on as you achieve them. But this is the only slack you can give yourself without harming your chances at reaching a long-term goal. Goals must always come with deadlines. These buzz killers are important because without them, it is very easy to lose track of time and hence, your focus.

Be in the company of doers

Both dreamers and doers inspire, but if you’re a staunch dreamer, you’re probably close to overdosing on inspiration. Doers give you something more than this – a focused mind-set. Our minds are easily influenced by the environment we’re in. ‘Doing’ will come more easily and naturally when we are around doers. Moreover, they are a great source of guidance – practical guidance, well, because they have done it.

Hard work alone is handicapped

We’ve been taught that hard work always pays. It surely does pay, but not always. Working hard without working smart will kill your chances at success. When something doesn’t work, and if you find yourself consistently failing, take a pause. Don’t continue down the same road convincing yourself that “hard work always pays.” Instead, improvise and come up with a better plan. When you look at successful personalities and their success stories, the most noticeable aspect will be their diligence. But looking closer, you will see that it was their shrewdness that made way to success.

While the doer is practical, the dreamer’s idealism is what keeps a doer’s spirits up in a harsh world. So no matter what people say, keep the two Ds alive in you.