Discover the Secrets to Overcoming Someday Syndrome
Feb 12, 2025
Have you fallen into the trap of "Someday?"
How often have you heard someone say, "Someday when the kids are older, we'll get a family dog," or "Someday when I get a raise, I will buy a house or a nicer car"? You might even hear, "Someday, when I fit into my swimsuit, we will take that family vacation." These familiar phrases illustrate a common pattern—we often wait for the perfect moment to take action and enjoy life. Unfortunately, the concept of "someday" tends to lead to missed opportunities and unfulfilled aspirations.
The reality is that waiting for ideal circumstances can result in a lifetime of inaction and dissatisfaction. If you hold out for everything to align perfectly, you may never initiate progress. When we take time to reflect, we can see that someday, the syndrome can manifest in various aspects of our lives, affecting both personal and professional objectives.
Have you found yourself trapped in Someday Syndrome as a healthcare administrator? No one has time for that! Am I right? Let’s explore how you can leverage daily situations as chances for positive change rather than waiting for things to shift on their own. Because the truth of the reality is that if we fall into the Someday Syndrome trap, things will surely get worse. Without the willingness to implement change...
√ Staff would become complacent with the status quo
√ Your team would be stuck with processes that take more time
√ Lines of communication may be less effective
√ Data tracking may allow for a more significant margin of error
√ Residents’ needs are not met in a timely manner
Why wait when change, in the end, will bring about more joy and peace in the long run?
“If you want things in your life to change, you have to change things in your life.”
5 Tips for Overcoming Someday Syndrome
"Excuses are a time thief. Have a goal, accept responsibility, and take action." -Dr. Steve Maraboli
To help you and your facility break free from the chains of procrastination and discover joy each day, consider these strategies:
Prioritize and Plan
Identify the most crucial tasks and create a feasible plan to address them. As an administrator, it's your responsibility to pinpoint areas needing change and convey the consequences of not implementing your new strategy. Involve your team in this process, as people naturally want to have a stake in the outcome.
Empower them to:
√ Share their visions
√ Voice their opinions
√ Enhance and constructively build upon your original plan
Change can be daunting as it often requires people to adapt and step outside their comfort zones. However, when everyone is aligned, transformative change can be powerful. Remember that change doesn’t happen overnight. Break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps to keep everyone focused on what truly matters and ensure consistent progress.
Encourage your team to celebrate small wins along the way. As a facility administrator, become the number one cheerleader, acknowledging those who go the extra mile and highlighting their strengths and contributions.
Set Deadlines
Tasks can linger indefinitely without deadlines. Establish specific, attainable deadlines for each action item to create motivation and a sense of urgency. Hold yourself and your team accountable to these timelines. Consider how you can make the process enjoyable—turning it into a “game” that people look forward to because they can see the benefits on the other side.
A perfect method for adding drama to life is to wait until the deadline looms large. - Alice Coryn-Selby
Embrace Imperfection
Waiting for the perfect moment can lead to endless delays. Accept that conditions may not be ideal and that taking imperfect action is preferable to inaction. Progress often occurs in small increments. Encourage your staff to keep moving forward and find opportunities for open communication, whether during team meetings, one-on-one conversations, or sending personal notes of encouragement. Everyone values genuine communication over impersonal mass emails.
Delegate Responsibilities
Trying to do everything yourself can cause delays. Distribute responsibilities among your team and trust them to manage certain tasks. This not only identifies your leaders but also signals to them that they are valued as contributors to the new plan. Remember, effective delegation accelerates processes and empowers your team.
Reflect and Adjust
Regularly assess the progress of your tasks and the effectiveness of your strategies. Make sure to listen to your staff’s feedback. Reflection helps identify what's working and what needs adjustment, allowing your team’s voices to be heard.
Being open to change fosters continuous improvement. Often, the cost of inaction accumulates over time—taking more time, energy, and finances and ultimately diminishing the joy in your role.
Overcoming Someday Syndrome demands a commitment to take action now, irrespective of the circumstances. Don’t miss out on the joys of your role by getting stuck in procrastination. Break free from this cycle and achieve your goals. The time for action is now—don’t wait for "someday" to create a positive impact.
To leave you with an extra dose of inspiration, watch this short 2-minute clip of my personal mentor, founder of The Successful Life Course, as he explains how Someday Syndrome prevents you from enjoying today.
- The UCampus Group Team
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