Remember Nike’s famous slogan “Just Do It”? Those 3 words have great validity. After all, there’s nothing to be gained by endless procrastination and avoidance. However, “Just Do It” – to be truly effective – needs to be preceded by “Why do it?”

Ah, yes, there’s the rub. Do you want a new car? “Just buy it!” is fine, but a bit of a problem if you end up either with payments you can ill afford, or a car that is a true clunker despite its shiny appearance. If, however, you sit for a moment with “Why buy it?” you may realize that what you really want is a vehicle that is easily within your monthly budget, functions as it is supposed to, and accommodates your entire team/family/dog patrol. Not just a bright shiny thing that impresses the neighbors.

Which means you’re going to have to look at how to make all those things happen before you can become the proud owner of a car that genuinely meets your needs. Most of them, anyway.

Or you’ve endlessly postponed asking your boss for that promotion, so with “Just Do It” resonating in your ears, one day you pry yourself away from your work computer and charge into their office demanding a promotion. Not a good plan. Your boss chuckles, shakes their head sadly, and says, “Whatever. I need those accounts ready by end of business day. Today.” Off you slump, depressed and disheartened.

This unfortunate state could have been prevented by simply asking yourself first: “Why ask the boss for the promotion?” For the fatter paycheck, duh. But more likely because you feel that you deserve it, that you’ve earned it by your good work. Great, except right now you are the only one who knows that. So first, you need to figure out how to let your boss know that you deserve and have earned the promotion you want.

The important word in this particular “Why?” is “boss.” Storming into their office demanding the promotion isn’t likely to get you your promotion. Think about it. Use the experiences of your boss to strategize the best way to let them know of your deservability. What matters most to your boss? Not to you, to your boss. Then proceed accordingly.

“Just Do It” is terrific – at the right time. After you’ve answered your “Why do it?” beyond your knee-jerk “Because I want to!” Once you know your “Why,” you’ll generally find yourself able to determine your “How” to do it, which in turn will make your “Just Do It” wonderfully successful.