Just over 3 months ago, I started doing sit-ups and press-ups to get fitter and instead of the random ‘whenever I feel like it ie hardly ever’ strategy I had previously used, I thought I’d do something different and do 1 more of each every day as this seemed achievable. I chose not to focus on the end result much further down the road, but simply the task ahead.
I started with 10 per day and just before Christmas, I reached 100 and felt better, both physically and psychologically as I’d set myself a goal and achieved it especially as to be honest at the beginning I didn’t think I would be able to. I took a break over the holiday and will be starting again today.
As the new year begins, many of us start with the best intentions but are often over-ambitious and don’t achieve what we want as we were not being realistic. Although choosing smaller steps may not seem as dramatic, they are usually far more effective in the longer term. The smaller and more achievable the step forward is, the greater the progress you make as you’re achieving more.
Less is more…
With my sit-ups and press-ups, I chose one more of each, but depending on what you want to achieve, it could of course be ‘one’ less. It just needs to be one small, manageable step forwards to where you want to be. The focus is on what you will do now and today as opposed to what you are going to achieve in the future.
So, with this in mind, what’s your ‘small step’ going to be?
Away From The Noise 
I love this! Very true about how we often set ourselves over-ambitious goals; I guess in a way we’re just setting ourselves up for failure. Similar to a lot of people at this time, my goal for this year is to get fit and in shape so maybe I’ll take an approach like yours! With exercise especially it can take a while before you start to see any results, so by setting yourself a slightly better target each day you’ll start to feel like youre acheiving what you wanted much sooner 🙂
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Glad you liked the post Laura. Good luck with your fitness goals!
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I totally agree with this way of looking at goals: one step at a time. I’m reading a book right now called “French Women Don’t Get Fat” (which sounds like it might be horrible but it’s not!) and the author definitely focuses on what you’re talking about. Also, she points out how we should be enjoying food and daily movement (imagine that!!) which is totally changing my way of looking at both.
Thanks for a peaceful post and well done on your ab exercising. XO
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Thanks for your comment Valerie. Will check out that book too.
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I like the idea of taking small steps and making small improvements over time. I really needed to hear that today. Thank you.
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Glad you found it helpful Janet. Take care.
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Me gusta. Me doy por satisfecho entendiendo el texto.
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