The Power of Pen and Paper.
Let’s be honest for a moment.
Have you ever caught yourself going with the flow—not because it felt right, but because you didn’t know what else to do?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things you need to get done but have no idea where to begin?
Or maybe you’ve thought you need to find "new habits to change your life," but you don’t even know how to break out of your old ones.
If any of that feels familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us live on autopilot more often than we’d like to admit. We scroll. We react. We let days pass without asking ourselves what we truly want—and more importantly, how we’re going to get there.
Change doesn’t require a complete life overhaul. It starts with two things—clarity and action. And that’s exactly what we’re diving into today, using insights from Brian Tracy’s 7 Steps to Success and Allison Fallon’s The Power of Writing It Down.
Step 1: Know What You Want
Brian Tracy puts it simply: “Decide exactly what you want.” Before you can grow, you need to get clear on what direction you’re headed. Not what others expect from you. Not what sounds impressive. But what do you truly want.
Write it down in specific terms.
Not “I want to be healthier.”
Instead: “I want to walk 3 miles every morning before work.”
The brain loves clarity. And remember to visualize yourself walking to activate the new habit change. When you know exactly what you’re aiming for, your daily decisions start aligning with that vision almost automatically.
Step 2: Use Writing as a Tool, Not Just a Journal
This is where Allison Fallon’s work comes in. Her book isn’t about journaling for the sake of being poetic. It’s about thinking on paper. Writing things down helps you hear yourself clearly.
She explains how writing activates parts of your brain that allow for deeper problem-solving, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. In other words, if you feel stuck or foggy, writing isn’t a cute idea—it’s a real solution.
Next time you feel overwhelmed or lost, don’t just vent to a friend. Take five minutes. Write the question:
“What am I feeling right now, and what do I need?”
It’s amazing what surfaces when you give your thoughts a place to land.
Step 3: Set a Deadline (and Don’t Fear It)
Goals without timelines are just hopes. Tracy emphasizes the importance of setting a deadline—even if it’s just a rough one. Deadlines create momentum. They help you prioritize.
If something matters to you, give it a time frame.
“I’ll start a side business someday” becomes “I’ll register my domain and build a product page by September 1.”
No one’s asking you to rush. But if you’re serious about success and personal growth, you need a timeline to anchor your efforts.
Step 4: Break the Big Goal Into a Realistic Plan
Let’s say you want to change careers. That’s a huge goal. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
Tracy recommends making a list of everything you’ll need to do to get there:
- Update your resume
- Take a course
- Reach out to 5 people in the field
- Practice and visualize your interview
Each item gives you a manageable, concrete step. Suddenly, the mountain becomes a trail with steps you can take.
Bonus tip from Fallon: write the plan somewhere visible. The act of seeing your path reinforces it in your mind and helps you stay accountable.
Step 5: Start—Even if You Don’t Feel Ready
Here’s a tough truth: you’re not going to feel ready. Tracy insists you take action immediately. Even the smallest action triggers momentum.
Sign up for the class. Make the phone call. Wake up 30 minutes earlier tomorrow and go for that walk.
Waiting for motivation is like waiting for the perfect weather. Start anyway. Action brings clarity—not the other way around.
Step 6: Do One Thing Every Day
Daily consistency beats occasional intensity every time. One of the best personal growth strategies is to do one small thing each day that moves you closer to your goal.
Fallon talks about how just 5–10 minutes of writing a day can help rewire your thoughts and sharpen your sense of purpose. Tracy adds that even one focused step keeps your progress alive.
This isn’t about hustle culture. It’s about discipline with grace. You’re training your brain to move forward, even slowly.
Step 7: Reflect Often and Adjust the Plan
This step is often missed. Once you start making progress, pause regularly to check in.
Are your goals still aligned with who you are becoming?
Is the plan still working, or do you need to tweak it?
This is where Fallon’s advice on writing becomes gold. Your journal becomes a logbook. You can look back, see how far you’ve come, and make smarter decisions based on what’s working—not just what you hoped would work.
Final Thoughts: Be the Main Character in Your Life
So… do you go with the flow because you’re afraid to make waves?
Do you avoid planning because it’s overwhelming or feels pointless?
Do you repeat the same habits, hoping for new results?
Here’s your permission to stop.
Not to stop dreaming.
But stop drifting.
Success isn’t just for CEOs, influencers, or people with perfect routines. It’s for anyone willing to get clear, take responsibility, and move forward—one written goal, one action, one day at a time.
Your personal growth doesn’t need to look flashy. It just needs to be intentional.
