"Imperfect Action is Better Than Perfect Inaction."
Harry S Truman
Remember that good old toy that with just a little propulsion from your hand could spring over itself and “walk” down the stairs? “It’s Slinky; it’s Slinky. For fun it’s a wonderful toy. What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs and makes a slinkety sound? A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing! Everyone knows it’s Slinky.” (Funny how those catchy ad songs from our childhoods stay with us thru adulthood!)
A Few Fun Facts About the Slinky…
The Slinky® was invented in 1945 by Naval Engineer, Richard James. Over 360 million Slinkys have been sold in the seventy-five plus years since. There was a commemorative postage stamp celebrating Slinky as well as an induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. And, there is even a National Slinky Day. (This year it’s August 30th, so if you are into celebrating this treasured toy, go for it!)
The Stuck Slinky
Visualize a Slinky sitting at the top of a set of stairs. If you don’t touch it, it sits there in a coiled stack held down by gravity. A lot like we can be held in place from moving and achieving our goals. Not by gravity, but more often by things like goals being too vague, distractions, doubts, lack of confidence, fear or procrastination to name just a few. (We all have our “go-to’s” that keep us from achieving our goals, so feel free to take a moment and think of yours.)
Like an immobile Slinky, for whatever the reasons we fail to get started!
Move the Slinky
A Slinky moves by gravity and the energy that travels down a longitudinal wave from coil to coil to coil to coil… A clear visual of how we can accomplish a goal. Whether your goal is short, medium or long term, action (energy) is needed to realize your desired outcome. Like the Slinky that needs only a little nudge to get moving down one stair step, a small movement in the direction of your goal can provide the propulsion you need to achieve.
Why One Small Step Works
1. Movement: Taking an initial step, (however small), propels you to further steps because of how that first step makes you feel. What you feel with that first step is…
2. Motivation: With a small accomplishment or victory, the reward pathway in our brain produces dopamine (our natural feel good chemical). Increased dopamine can motivate you and lead to more confidence. Confidence is a key factor for knowing that you can achieve your goal. Confidence and motivation create…
3. Momentum: With each action step taken, and continued activation of your brain’s reward pathway, momentum increases. Like a Slinky moving down each stair rung, the momentum of each action step you take will propel you to your end goal.
An easy way to remember this goal setting effect is 3M- Movement, Motivation, Momentum.
Quick Tips to Start on Your Goals
If you are mired in creating the perfect strategy to achieve your goal…. Give yourself permission to move first and strategize second.
If you are stuck in “big picture” thinking and struggling how to start your goal… Pick the easiest step and build from there.
If you have a goal that is audacious and big and you are fearful or underconfident… Remember the 3M Effect and tune into how you feel after taking action. Celebrate your small victories.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Dale Carnegie
Are you interested in an accountability and coaching partner to achieve your goals? Contact Carol for a complimentary phone conversation to see if coaching is right for you.
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