Go small or go home.
Photo by Hayley Seibel on Unsplash
Yes, I said “go small.” It may not have the same “ring” as “go big or go home,” but it’s a motto I definitely live by.
When I first started working with a coach (nearly 12 years ago), she recommended I read the book, “The Kaizen Way: one small step can change your life.” Kaizen is a Japanese technique that essentially helps remove the resistance to move forward by taking on small yet meaningful AND realistic actions.
The first time I practiced it, I wanted to start working out again. Instead of creating some crazy, lofty goal to work out 5Xs per week, I started very small – 10 mins of abs, 3Xs per week for 2 weeks. Did I have rock solid abs after 2 weeks? Nope! But I did feel ready to take on a little more and then a little more until I had a routine, I was happy with.
I use a similar method with clients. Truth be told, some are completely turned off by the concept. It can seem daunting, especially early in the coaching process when they want to see BIG CHANGES FAST. When this happens, we play a fun game of “would you rather” and I ask:
Would you rather set a big, unrealistic goal and not achieve it or a small, but meaningful AND achievable goal and nail it?
Here’s the thing; if we set ourselves up to fail, we tend to quit. Does this mean we don’t set big goals for ourselves? NO WAY! Think big – but then let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces.
I bring this up as a colleague recently said to me; “look at how far you’ve come in 18 months, Julie!” I was a little surprised to hear this but as I reflect, the small changes I’ve made since I left the corporate world in June of 2020 really have propelled me forward. Below are some examples:
GOAL: Become a life-long learner
Step 1: Watch Brené Brown’s Ted Talk…
Which led to: tuning into her weekly podcasts and then to reading her books which now has turned me into a READER
GOAL: Reach 3500 followers on LinkedIn (I started with 1000)
Step 1: Start with a weekly post
Which led to: a weekly post + a monthly article, then a weekly post + monthly article + weekly video series, which has now led to a robust content calendar and getting me closer to my 3500 followers goal (I’m at 2500!)
GOAL: Launch a website
Step 1: Accepting good enough as perfect
Which led to: reducing analysis paralysis, increasing motivation and productivity leading me to create a website in just one week!
I could go on and on. The small steps get us into action, which reminds me of a great Simon Sinek quote:
Dream big. Start small. But most of all, start.
