I remember the day vividly, tears streaming down my face as I scrubbed the gray paint off my arms. Did it really matter? Tomorrow, I'd just get covered again.

It felt as though I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of painting the ship, a process that had consumed weeks of my life. The ship was enormous, and the painting seemed never-ending.

I often painted without gloves, opting for comfort over cleanliness, which meant scrubbing every bit of paint off my skin every day. A single smudge on my uniform would lead to reprimands from superiors, and there were many superiors.

In that moment of despair, with my skin raw from the scrubbing, I realized I was the architect of my own misfortune. My choices had led me to this miserable state.

That moment of clarity sparked a thought: if my choices had brought me here, what if I started making better ones?

That night, I set my first genuine goal.

Fast forward six years, and I was unrecognizable from that frustrated sailor covered in paint. Upon my honorable discharge from the Navy, I had earned the respect of my peers and accolades from my superiors. And yes, my uniform was paint-free.

Just kidding about the uniform—though it was clean, that wasn't the highlight.

The shift occurred when I decided I couldn't bear to paint one more hawser, realizing there had to be more to my Navy experience. I didn’t realize it then, but I was establishing a framework that would guide every project I would tackle henceforth:

1. Define your goal.
2. Create a plan, working backward.
3. Take action.

The last point is often easier said than done, so I'd like to share three key strategies that keep me motivated:

• Prioritize action over motivation.
• Always have a "Next Action" in mind.
• Maintain consistency.

By adhering to these principles, I was able to regain my footing in the Navy. It all began with setting that initial goal.

Step 1: Define Your Goal Choose a goal—any goal. It doesn't need to be grand or audacious. Ideally, it's something that can't be achieved in a single step. The challenge lies in reaching it, or else you'd have it already, right?

Here are some examples to illustrate:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Presenting to your boss
• Leading a youth group
• Writing a book
• Learning a new language
• Earning a promotion

Essentially, a goal is anything you aspire to achieve that isn't feasible overnight—something that's currently out of reach.

What did I truly desire? It was easy to answer: I wanted to do something other than paint!

Being a deck seaman involves more than just painting or mopping the deck—it's a respected and essential profession that has existed for centuries. Though it doesn't involve climbing sails in modern times, a ship still requires constant maintenance, much like a car. When I joined my ship, I was assigned to the department responsible for its upkeep.

Let me tell you, as honorable as this job is, relentless manual labor can make you contemplate other life choices.

At 19, I thought I knew everything. I resisted authority and argued with my superiors.

In earlier times, I might have faced severe punishment for my insubordination. Fortunately, it was the late 20th century, and I was simply confined to the ship and assigned work.

What had begun as a promising future quickly felt like a four-year sentence, and I was only a few months in.

I needed to adjust my mindset. The Navy was my last opportunity to turn my life around. If they discharged me, I would end up back on the streets, a fate I wanted to avoid.

So, what could I do?

I couldn't leave the Navy, but I could move away from the Deck Department. I explored other roles on the ship and found myself intrigued by the Operations Department—the navigators fascinated me. They had the ability to read the stars and determine our location in the vast ocean. In the Navy, these sailors are called Quartermasters.

Thus, I had my goal: to become a Quartermaster.

Step 2: Create a Backward Plan Every effective plan starts with information. Without knowing what steps to take, I couldn't move forward.

I began by questioning myself:

Q: What do I want? A: A different way to spend my Navy service.

Q: How can I achieve that? A: I can't leave the ship, but I can transfer departments.

By continuing this line of questioning, I honed in on a specific task to tackle.

When I reversed my questions, my final answer became the first step in my plan.

Once I identified my goal of becoming a Quartermaster and transferring to a different department, I launched into a new series of questions to clarify what that process entailed.

It didn’t take long to realize I needed to pass a test demonstrating my knowledge of navigation. The exam was offered on board twice a year, but I wouldn’t be eligible until the following year.

With that information, I crafted a simple plan:

1. Learn navigation.
2. Pass the exam.

Time to take action.

Step 3: Take Action In reality, this meant getting the manual and studying after hours. Living on a ship made learning navigation easier, but I still had my usual responsibilities. Whenever we went to sea, after completing my duties, I would sneak to the chart table on the bridge to learn from the Quartermasters.

At night, I would study in my bunk or in the ship’s library, immersing myself in the language of navigation.

Teaching myself proved more challenging than expected. There was no teacher to evaluate my progress, no supervisor to provide feedback, and no peer to compete with—no external motivation.

This meant all the drive had to come from within, which is often a vulnerability. You must keep pushing forward, even when no one is watching. Here are a few strategies that have helped me persevere.

Movement Before Motivation Q: Why didn’t you write 1000 words this morning? A: Because I didn’t feel like it.

If you wait until you feel motivated, you might not act. Even when pursuing something you genuinely want, like finishing a novel, there will be days when motivation eludes you. On those days, you must write regardless.

Do it before motivation strikes.

This might lead to genuine motivation—the “fake it till you make it” approach. Once you push through those first few sentences, inspiration may flow effortlessly.

Or maybe not.

Regardless, you showed up and put in the effort, which is how things get accomplished.

(For those struggling with daily writing goals, consider setting a short timed goal instead. Commit to writing for just 25 minutes. Some days, I stop after one session, but often, I become so engrossed that I lose track of time.)

Always Have a "Next Action" Whenever I found myself with free time, I would ask, "What can I do right now that will lead me closer to my goal?"

Becoming a Quartermaster was my primary focus, so the answer was either studying or engaging with the Bridge crew.

Most people juggle multiple projects, though. David Allen's classic book, Getting Things Done, is a fantastic resource for productivity systems. I want to highlight one of his concepts: the "Next Action."

Every project has a series of steps.

Once you visualize your project this way, it follows that no matter where you are in that project, there will always be a next step or "Next Action" to take.

Be aware of it.

Keep a list of these actions at hand, and refer to it instead of scrolling through social media during downtime.

Always ask yourself, “What can I do right now that will move me forward?”

Scan your list and identify which "Next Action" is most suitable for the current situation.

For example, while waiting for a takeout order, you might remember you need to purchase decorations for an upcoming event. Coincidentally, there's a party supply store next door, allowing you to complete that task before your food is ready.

Or perhaps you decide to call a relative, as checking in on your elderly aunt is one of your goals. You might even pick up an extra meal to bring to her, leading to a delightful conversation.

And you would have missed that connection had you not checked your list.

Always keep a "Next Action" ready. Avoid wasting time pondering what to do next—know what action to take and follow through.

Stay Consistent “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On!’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” — Calvin Coolidge

Every challenge comes with an initial thrill. This excitement can carry us through the early days of a new routine, but as that excitement fades, it’s easy to lose focus and revert to old habits.

This is when maintaining focus is crucial.

During my exam preparation, I found it easy to stay committed. Passing that test would change my life, and nothing would deter me.

This wasn’t the case when I resolved to quit smoking cigarettes. Although that was also a life-altering decision, it proved significantly more difficult. Each time I faltered, I would smoke more out of despair, creating a vicious cycle.

Then one day, a realization struck me.

No one else was monitoring how many days it had been since my last cigarette, so why should I?

I stopped counting.

Instead of fixating on how long it had been, I focused on today alone. If I slipped and smoked, I didn't feel the need to mourn a broken streak. There was no streak to break—only a human being having a challenging day. I forgave myself and tried again.

I kept trying until I no longer felt the urge to start again.

James Clear asserts that every action you take is a vote for the person you aspire to be. I wanted to be a Quartermaster, and I cast my vote through daily navigation studies. I aimed to be a non-smoker, and each smoke-free day was a vote for that identity.

Stay consistent. Every vote matters.

What Comes Next? I've encountered other veterans who harbor resentment about their service. I was heading down that path, too, until I opted for a different approach. Now, instead of bitterness, I feel gratitude.

It's no surprise that I passed the test and became a skilled sailor in the United States Navy. (I'm not bragging; that's literally how my performance was described in reviews—makes me sound pretty impressive, right?)

After becoming a Quartermaster, I set additional goals for myself, achieving them using this same method.

Whenever I set out to tackle something new, I adhere to these three steps:

• Define a goal.
• Create a backward plan.
• Take action.

Remember: every project consists of a series of steps to be taken one at a time. Don't dwell on the total number of steps—focus on your current one and identify the next.

Once you achieve your goal, don't be surprised if new aspirations emerge. Accomplishing goals can be addictive, so set a new target and start the process anew.

I wish you fair winds and following seas on your journey—you've got this!

Note: Sometimes, the answer is simply “Nothing.” Proper rest is just as vital as productivity.