Do you have something you really want to do but never seem to make time for? Here’s a simple idea: Set a deadline.

Right, you say. I’ll just break it if it’s my deadline.

How about this?

• Get a clear picture in your head of what you want to get done.
• Set a realistic deadline for when you could complete this awesome thing.
• Tell a friend what you’re going to do and what your deadline is.
• Write out a check that would hurt financially to pay to an organization that you’d HATE to contribute to.
• Give the check to your friend.
• Full of incentive, go do the work you’ve always wanted to do.

When you report in that you’re done, your friend will rip up the check and you’ll celebrate.

If you don’t finish on time, the check goes in the mail. There are no excuses. No, “I need the check back.” No, “I was just kidding.” And no canceling the check.

We all wish we had super will power, but alas, super will power is in short supply. So play a game if that’s what it takes to get something done.

And remember that it’s not the end of the world if they mail that check. But how irritating would that be? To THAT organization? And you want to do this anyway. So go do it!

Here’s one last picture from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – light reflecting up on a wall from a trashcan. My husband says this is not a heart. I say hearts are wherever you see them. 🙂