When I am at my most productive, it is because I have planned backwards. That is, I have a goal in mind and then I think through what it takes to get there. You CAN do this thought exercise by goring forward in time - from where you are right now to where you want to be when you've achieved your goal.  And you can also ask yourself, what did I have to do in order to achieve this goal.

For instance, if I'm taking a trip to Norway for a wedding anniversary, thinking backwards might look like this.

• get off the plane
• get on the plane
• arrive at the airport
• pack
• make arrangements to arrive at airport
• book my flights
• check available flights

Then if I start from the bottom and successfully work my way up the list, I will very likely succeed in arriving in Norway at the appointed time.

Most goals can be treated in this way. Probably, including yours.