I have a goal to write a novel.

I have a goal to make a movie.

I have a goal to make a million dollars.

I have a goal to lose 5 pounds. Or 10. Or 50.

I have a goal to see the world. Or at least to see the Grand Canyon.

But goals are easy.

You can write them down. Make them S.M.A.R.T. or S.M.A.R.T.E.R. or the S.M.A.R.T.E.S.T. (I made up the last one. I don’ think it’s a thing.).

You can pine your life away over goals. I will do it. Someday. When I have time. When the kids are grown. When the garage is clean and my work schedule isn’t quite so crazy. When the news cycle isn’t capturing most of my attention. When I retire. Sometime before I’m dead. When I have more money or when I have more time.

These are excuses. We both know this. But, really, excuses are not the problem at the end of the day.

Here’s the problem:

Goals are for amateurs.

A professional has a process.

Pick one thing that’s important enough to complete (don’t choose all the things. Not right now. You can’t do all the things right now.) Develop a process for getting it done.

Then work the process.

That’s the way of professionals.

Think processes and systems over dreams and goals. Be a professional