Procrastination Combat Planner

Here's a structured action plan to help you attend 12 professional networking events over the next year, with clear, manageable tasks, motivating strategies, and practical timeframes:
 Attend 12 Professional Networking Events in the Next Year to Expand Industry Connections


Action: Identify the type of networking events that align with your professional goals (e.g., industry-specific conferences, local meetups, virtual webinars).

Outcome: A list of event types (conferences, webinars, local meetups, etc.) that will benefit your industry connections.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 1-2.
Motivation Tip: Starting with this foundational task sets the stage for clarity. Visualize how each event will help you expand your circle and learn new things!



Action: Research events that align with your goals and make a list of 3-5 events per quarter. 

Outcome: A calendar or document listing networking events for the next 12 months.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 3-7.
Motivation Tip: Break this task into chunks. Do one quarter at a time, and celebrate the completion of each set of events! 



Action: Register for the first event within the next 2 weeks.

Outcome: A confirmed spot at the first networking event.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 14.
Motivation Tip: Commit early! Set a reminder and use a productivity tool like Trello or Google Calendar to stay on top of deadlines. Accountability makes it real.



Action: Attend the first event and actively engage with at least 3 new contacts.

Outcome: 3 new industry connections made, ideally with contact info or LinkedIn profiles exchanged.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 30 (1 month after starting).
Motivation Tip: Keep the momentum! Take notes on who you meet, what you discuss, and follow up with them immediately after the event. Make the follow-up part of your habit.



Action: After the first event, take 30 minutes to reflect on what worked well and what you could improve for the next event.

Outcome: A reflection journal or document outlining key takeaways and areas for improvement.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 31-32.
Motivation Tip: Use the reflection to build a learning loop. Success breeds confidence!



Action: Register for the next event (either the following month or in the next quarter).

Outcome: A confirmed registration for the next event.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 45 (around 2 weeks after the first event).
Motivation Tip: Think of this as building a routine—by making it part of your regular schedule, it becomes easier each time.



Action: Continue to attend and engage in events every 1-2 months (you can attend more if desired, but 12 total over the year is the goal).

Outcome: Attending events regularly, meeting new people, and following up after each event.
Timeframe: Spread throughout the year (3 events per quarter).
Motivation Tip: Use a tracker (e.g., Google Sheets or Trello) to log each event, noting who you met, what you discussed, and how you followed up. This provides a sense of accomplishment and helps maintain focus.



Action: At the end of the year, reflect on the 12 events attended. How did you grow? How many new meaningful connections did you make?

Outcome: A final reflection document or a celebratory meeting with a colleague or mentor to assess progress.
Timeframe: Complete by Day 365 (End of Year).
Motivation Tip: Celebrate the achievement, no matter how big or small. You’ve consistently worked toward your goal and made valuable connections. Use this reflection to build the foundation for next year’s goals!




Time Blocking: Use time blocking to schedule networking event preparation, attendance, and follow-ups. Set specific blocks of time each week to focus solely on this goal.
Accountability Partner: Share your progress with a colleague, mentor, or friend who can check in and keep you motivated.
Small Wins: Celebrate small victories—whether it’s completing a registration or making your first connection. Acknowledge your effort!
Avoid Overwhelm: Don’t aim for perfection. Attending and engaging is a win. Each event adds value, so avoid the trap of overthinking. Just show up and connect.
Procrastination Buster: If procrastination kicks in, remind yourself of the benefits—expanded opportunities, new collaborations, and enhanced industry knowledge. Break the task down into even smaller actions (like just researching one event or writing one follow-up email).




Daily Task: Spend 10-15 minutes each day reviewing your goals and planning your next step.
Weekly Check-In: Dedicate 30 minutes each week to check your progress and make sure you're on track.
Monthly Reflection: Take time to review your milestones each month. Adjust and refine as necessary to keep your momentum going.


By breaking this down into actionable, bite-sized tasks, you're making steady, focused progress toward your long-term goal. Keep a positive mindset, track your growth, and don’t hesitate to reward yourself for your consistency!