Baby steps work better than huge, ambitious leaps on any endeavor where you are trying to move out of a rut.
When we do some version of the New Year’s Resolution, when we envision some big dramatic change, we are filled with hope. We will suddenly transform ourselves! Wow!
However, our inner self often talks back: “Not on your life! I like those entrenched habits! You just try and make me give them up! In fact, I think I’ll put my feet up and have a snack till I feel better!”
To avoid this battle, sneak under the radar. If you are a reluctant exerciser, set your goal to be a small baby step beyond where you are now. No big makeover, no big resolution. Just a tiny little change. You decide what is the right small step.
You’re aiming for something just big enough you’ll notice it a little, but just small enough you won’t have to think much about it. Small enough that you say “Oh, of COURSE I can do THAT!!” and you do! And you do it again. And again.
Set the goal for change in micro-units, not big leaps, and you can sneak up on change without getting into a draining and discouraging tug of war with yourself.
Or you could always continue to wait for that magic moment when you suddenly have a personality and habit transplant, and the change you want happens. And wait, and wait, and wait, and feel bad all that time.
As my turtle friend would say, “Slow and steady wins the race!”
