Small is the new big
Do you have a goal you want to pursue or are you trying to form a new habit and find yourself struggling? Here’s one thing you need to remember: brains hate starting. They don’t mind continuing once they’ve started, but they hate starting.
What’s the antidote? Start small. What Stephen Guise, author of the book “Mini Habits,” calls “stupid small.” Make it so easy, you can’t not do the thing. (Stephen started with one push-up every time he used the restroom. Try using the format “After I _____, then I will _____.”) And after you do your small thing, stop. Your brain may readily agree to keep going, but give it the choice.
The good news? You get full credit for doing the thing! (Yay, you!) Your brain cares about the doing, not so much about the quantity or quality. And if you are working on forming a habit, your brain cares most about the consistency of the doing.
Also, for you habit-formers, if you track your habit behaviors and your brain can see your progress, it really likes that.
Ok, here’s one more thing you need to remember: your motivation comes from the action of the doing. So don’t wait until you feel motivated to begin, or you could have a really long wait (i.e., never). Instead, start small, feel the motivation, repeat. It will form a virtuous loop that keeps you moving towards success.
And if your streak gets broken, that’s ok, but start again asap. Habits take an average of 66 days to gel and are most fragile early on. Stick with it, and those small habits can lead to big things!
To learn more about mini-habits, check out minihabits.com. And you’ll be hearing more about brains, habits, productivity, and being fearless and happy in my blog as I complete “The Brain Science Advantage for Coaches” 8-week program with James Garrett, founder of Brain By Design. I’m learning some cool new stuff, and I will be sure to share!
What’s your stupid small thing you’ll start with? Please let me know on this post at https://www.facebook.com/jenfrankcoaching.
One cheer for starting small!