Remember that childhood game, Mother May I? One person was the ‘Mother’, turned around so as not to see the other children advancing towards them, while others asked permission to take a variety of steps to be the first to tag the ‘Mother’. “Mother may I take five baby steps?” “Mother may I take two giant steps?” “Mother may I take one banana step?” (open to interpretation). The ‘Mother’ then granted permission to the requests… “Yes, you may”, “No, you may not.” Whether it was baby steps, giant steps or even banana steps, (and the whim of the child playing ‘Mother’) we all had the possibility of being the first to tag and reach the goal.
Micro Changes or Macro Change
In James Clear book, Atomic Habits, he writes, “It is so easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making small improvements on a daily basis. Too often, we convince ourselves that massive success requires massive action.”
Baby Steps or Giant Steps
Again, Clear writes, “Improving by 1 percent isn’t particularly notable- sometimes it isn’t even noticeable-but it can be far more meaningful, especially in the long run. Here’s how the math works: if you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. Conversely, if you get 1 percent worse each day for one year, you’ll decline nearly down to zero. What starts as a small win or a minor setback accumulates into something much more.”
Daily Micro Changes Become Habits
Our habits are formed by regular repetition (micro changes) until they become automatic. These automatic habits become wired into our brains, creating structures that conserve our mental energy by being more efficient. Habit researcher, Charles Duhigg, notes that our habits can make up to 40% of our waking hours activity!
Macro Changes are Draining
New Year’s Resolutions, or a reflective birthday wish sound so good… at the time. This is the year I… “Not spend so much time at work.”, “Read more books”, “Get in shape”, or maybe “Learn a new language”. Worthy ‘Giant Step’ ideas that rely on willpower and self-discipline. Remembering that our brain is wired for efficiency and energy conservation, not energy draining willpower and self-discipline. “Willpower”, Duhigg writes in his book, The Power of Habits, “isn’t just a skill. It’s a muscle, like the muscles in your arms or legs, and it gets tired as it works harder, so there’s less power left over for other things.”
Where to Go from Here?
You want to achieve, move forward, you’ve got GOALS, right?! Remember to ditch those efforts to achieve your goals through sheer willpower and self-discipline. Use ‘Baby Steps’ to make consistent, forward movement to achieve your ‘Giant Step’ goals.
Here’s three easy steps to make it happen:
-Ask yourself, “What am I aiming for?” and write it down.
(Example: I want to read more books this year.)
-Create a list of habits that support your goal
(Example: visit the library and bookstores, create a scheduled reading time/place/amount, minimize distractions, ask people I admire for book suggestions, etc.)
-Start with the easiest and most clear habit from your list to be the first micro change
(Example: I’m going to read for 20 minutes each day.)
-Then BEGIN!
Interested in coaching that will help you lead, achieve, and inspire? Contact Carol now for a complimentary 20-minute session.
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