The Art of the Start
Making significant change requires a growth mindset, and we know that meaningful growth in any area takes time, patience, and persistence. Unfortunately our natural approach to change is to try making big changes quickly with unrealistic goals and unsustainable action plans. We have to remember that change is hard. If we really want to see change that sticks, we can’t rely on daily motivation or willpower. Change is hard but it’s hard because our typical approach is flawed, and we tend to fail because our typical approach to change is not stupid enough.
Stupid Small
Stephen Guise has an amazing book called Mini Habits. In it, he shares a ton of research about why changes succeed or fail. It usually comes down to the energy required to get started each day. If an action is easy to start, it’s much easier to make daily progress. If the action requires motivation or willpower, it is less likely to become a habit. The key is to start small. Or as he call it, stupid small. The idea is to develop habits so small and insignificant that we can’t possibly fail.
One Pushup
Stephen tell a story of how he struggled to start his 30-minute workouts. His goal was to workout every day but he just couldn’t get motivated. Then he decided to just do one pushup. If he could do one pushup, that would be better than nothing. Of course he rarely stops with one and usually this leads to a much longer workout. This is a small, positive behavior that he can do every day. And it is deceptively powerful because once the action begins, it’s easy to continue.
One Breath
This is similar to my mindfulness habit I’ve started of taking one breath. I know the value of meditation but could never seem to do the 5, 10, or 20 minute meditation sessions that some people practice. But I can always start with one breath. Which leads to a few more. Which has helped develop a mindset of change. And now instead of once every few days, I find myself taking mindful breaths several times every day.
Try It
What is one thing you would like to start? Think of a change or a new behavior you would like, then think of the smallest possible daily goal you could accomplish. Something so small, you wouldn’t even notice. Something you would be embarrassed to say you couldn't do.
Be a reader - read one paragraph of a book.
Be a writer - write one sentence.
Be active - do 1 pushup.
Eat healthy - eat one bite of a fruit or vegetable.
Meditate - take one deep breath.
Enjoy the art of the start. No matter how stupid it may seem.
And enjoy the day!
Read more
Tiny Habits - Dr. BJ Fogg
The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg.
