How to Follow Through – The 10 Strategies of Superclinicians

Sticking to our schedule can be challenging. This is because of habit patterns. It takes strategies. It takes discipline. It takes the use of the Cognitive Function of Imagination or the Cognitive Function Assessment.

Regardless of what method we use, it is possible to improve our ability to follow through with our own schedule. One thing to wonder about is: Why is it easier for us to follow through with something we said we would do for someone else rather than following through with something we said we would for ourselves? How about the ability to follow through regardless of whether it is about doing something for others or for us? Superclinicians or Supertherapists have a way of making this happen.

Read on for 10 Strategies They Use.

1. Set Clear Goals[1]:

If you are a Superclinician, it means you start by defining your priorities and establishing clear goals. This, in turn, will help provide you with a sense of purpose and motivation to stick to your schedule.

2. Create a Realistic Schedule:

As a Superclinician, you are realistic about the time you allocate for each task or activity. You avoid overloading your schedule. And you foresee any likelihood of interruptions and plan for them accordingly.

3. Prioritize and Focus:

You also identify the most important tasks or activities that align with your goals. You then prioritize them and dedicate focused time and attention to completing them.

4. Break It Down:

As a Superclinician, you make use of the Law of Little Things. This means you break larger tasks or projects into smaller, manageable steps. This makes them less overwhelming and easier to address within the allocated time slots.

5. Eliminate or Minimize Distractions:

You minimize potential distractions[2] during scheduled periods. You put away your phone, you close unnecessary browser tabs, and you create a conducive environment for focused work. This means the social media, text messages or call alerts are all turned off for a chunk of time. You then reward yourself with a few minutes of social media, phone, or TV, when taking a break

6. Time Blocking[3]:

As a Superclinician, you use time blocking techniques to allocate specific time slots for different activities or tasks. You set clear start and end times for each block and commit to sticking to those timeframes.

7. Use Reminders and Alarms:

You also set reminders or alarms on your phone or calendar to prompt you to switch tasks or move on to the next scheduled activity. This can help keep you on track and maintain your schedule.

8. Be Flexible, but Mindful:

You know it’s important to stick to your schedule, but you are open to necessary adjustments and unforeseen circumstances. However, you remain mindful of not deviating unnecessarily or allowing constant disruptions.

9. Track and Evaluate:

You have learned to keep track of your adherence to the schedule and evaluate your progress regularly.

You reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. You also make adjustments accordingly.

10. Practice Discipline and Consistency:

Overall, you know that following through requires discipline and consistency[4]. As a Superclinician, you have done that, as you commit to following through with your planned activities, even when your motivation might waver.

Yes, it takes time and practice to develop a habit[5] of following through with your schedule. Be patient with yourself, make adjustments as needed, and celebrate your successes along the way.

Now, unto you:

Which of these 10 strategies you have been practicing? Which ones you are yet to master?

Let us know and join us for one of the following five series that are currently taking place at the SWEET Institute:

Speed Reading for Clinicians: Mondays from 7-8pm (EDT)

Schema Therapy for Clinicians: Mondays from 8-9pm (EDT)

Super Memory Skills for Clinicians: Wednesdays from 7-8pm (EDT)

Addiction Mental Health: 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 8-9pm (EDT)

Geriatric Mental Health: 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 8-9pm (EDT)

[1] Elavsky, Steriani, Shawna E. Doerksen, and David E. Conroy. “Identifying priorities among goals and plans: A critical psychometric reexamination of the exercise goal-setting and planning/scheduling scales.” Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology 1.3 (2012): 158.

[2] Lavie, Nilli. “Attention, distraction, and cognitive control under load.” Current directions in psychological science 19.3 (2010): 143-148.

[3] Rampton, John. “Time blocking tips top experts and scientists use to increase productivity.” Inc (2019).

[4] McChesney, Chris, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. The 4 disciplines of execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. Vol. 34. No. 10. Simon and Schuster, 2012.

[5] Ceceli, Ahmet O., and Elizabeth Tricomi. “Habits and goals: a motivational perspective on action control.” Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 20 (2018): 110-116.