Have you ever wondered why achieving goals can be so difficult? So difficult that you don’t even start? The trick is to bring about lasting meaningful results by dividing the route into small, well-arranged steps, i.e. building blocks. After all the longest journey starts with a first step, too. In this blog I’ll share some insights in how ridiculously small steps can help achieve your goals.
1. Imagine Tomorrow
Imagine tomorrow. You get up and go through your usual morning routine. You start the day in good spirits and devote yourself to the work that needs your attention. Yawn, yawn… Doesn’t sound really exciting, does it? Now imagine you could do things differently. You start your day and plan to do one small thing smarter than yesterday. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Take your time and think it over.
2. One Small Thing
Have you found something? Great! Now imagine what would change if you do that one small job more efficiently today than yesterday. Do you have more time for other things? Do you feel better about yourself? Reflect and take it in. Enjoy your vision of what could be. Does a smile appear on your face? If so, you are in the right place!
3. Break It Down
Imagine you want to move a pile of 30 bricks. Moving them all at once would take a lot of energy. Perhaps that much energy that you’ll never start moving them. Picking up one brick at the time each day will take 30 days, but you’ll do it effortlessly.
Now ask yourself: do you want your idea to become a reality? If yes, then it’s time for action! Make sure what you want to change is small enough to do in 5 minutes! If not, consider how you can divide this bigger job into smaller building blocks. It is better to split up your ambitious goal into small steps you really want to accomplish, than stick to a single big task that you continue to put off.
Write down the necessary steps. It is crucial not to postpone this activity! Challenge yourself to actually change something. So, get a piece of paper or a post-it and write down your small steps.
4. Plan Your Small Steps
You are almost there. Now take your daily planner and look for tomorrow’s date. Designate 15 minutes before your first appointment of that day as time for your own ridiculously small 5-minute building block. Assign 15 minutes to ensure you have reserved enough time to actually finish laying your first building block. Repeat this for all the building blocks you have envisioned in order to reach your goal by planning15 minutes each day.
5. Find a Mentor
Another important aspect is to find someone to share your ambition with. This person will be your supporter. Promise this person that you will give him or her an update of your daily progress. It can be as simple as just sending a text or having a quick chat. With each update ask for a suggestion that can help bring you closer to your goal. Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’ for received suggestions.
6. Just Do It!
Now that you have read this blog you have two options. Either you think: ‘Oops, I would like to, but it is too hard to take the first step’ or you might say: ‘I have thought about it so many times and now I am curious to see what happens if I actually dare to take the first small step and start laying my first brick.’ Of course, the choice is yours! I only hope you choose the latter! Feel free to share your experience.
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out our app. We are currently translating all our Mind Sparks into English.
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