Photo courtesy of James Jordan 7 Steps to Turn Your Self-Improvement Desires Into Reality
“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.” - John Lennon
How many times have we told ourselves in complete earnestness, “I’m going to be more organized and productive from now on.”? Or that the diet starts tomorrow? Or that we’re going to make a real effort to exercise now?
Only to have that enthusiasm fizzle away, and all our best intentions come to nothing?
It’s the most common thing in the world (besides bacteria) — the honest and fervent desire for self-improvement, followed by inaction or giving in to temptations, followed by guilt or giving up. Bridget Jones captured it best, writing her constant resolutions into her diary. “Will definitely go to the gym this afternoon.” Only to be followed by a binge of pastries followed by drinking and smoking.
We’re all Bridget Jones. It happens to the best of us. It’s inertia at work, mixed with a bit of laziness as well as the very human trait of giving in to desires despite all the good intentions in the world.
So how do we beat inertia and temptations? Four basic ways, really:
- Get moving, a bit at a time. Inertia is beat only by movement. Once you get going, momentum builds up and inertia is no longer a factor. So the key is to get started, and you do that not by trying to go from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, but by trying to go from 0 to 5mph in a day or two. That’s doable. It’s all about baby steps. Once you get going, you’re golden.
- Be accountable. Laziness, the second culprit, is beat by a bit of public pressure. We all get lazy from time to time (or, to be more honest, all the time), and there’s nothing wrong with that. But to beat laziness, we must apply a bit of pressure, in the form of accountability. There’s nothing wrong with a little pressure, as long is it’s not overdone. Pressure is a motivating thing, especially when it’s positive. Positive pressure includes encouragement from family or friends, an online forum, a help group in your neighborhood, or the readers of your blog.
- Ignore failures — giving in to temptation is OK. We will always give in to temptation. Plan for it, accept it, move on. There’s no need to beat yourself up.
- Motivate yourself. Most importantly, you want to really want it. It’s not enough to feel pressure to do something — you have to really desire it. I mean, really desire it, not just think it’s something you should do, or that you’ll be a better person for doing it. If pressure gives you the push toward your goal, motivation gives you the pull.
Given those strategies for beating the obstacles to making your desires become reality … how do we implement them? How do we go from theory to actual action steps? Easy. Seven simple steps, that you can do today. Really. Do them today.
1. Make a date. Right now. All the good intentions in the history of the universe mean nothing if you don’t actually get started. And the only way to get started is to take action, right now. Not tomorrow, not later today, not in an hour, not when you finish reading this article. Right now! Look at your calendar, and make an appointment to create your action plan, or to take the first action (”Go walking at 5:30 p.m. today in the park,” for example). What’s the first action you can take to make your desires a reality? Create a healthier meal plan for tomorrow? Create a place for everything you use at work, so your organizing system doesn’t fall apart in two day? Decide what that is and make an appointment for it, right now. Second part of this step: make that appointment the most important appointment on your schedule, more important than a doctor’s appointment or a meeting with your boss.
2. Set a small, achievable goal. Remember, inertia is a powerful force. If you haven’t been exercising for a couple years, it’s hard to get started. You’re used to the way things are, and even if you want to change, it’s difficult. So don’t start out trying to conquer the world. Just conquer something exceedingly small. It might sound wimpy to say, “I’m going to walk for 10 minutes” or “I’m going to do 10 pushups and 1 chinup”, but those are much more likely to beat inertia than, “I’m going to exercise for 45 minutes today.” Be realistic, and make it very very achievable. It’s the only way to beat inertia.
“Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back
3. Commit thyself, big time. It’s this commitment that will keep you going after you overcome inertia. Sometimes we get filled up with enthusiasm, but then a few days later, that enthusiasm wanes and we submit to our old buddy laziness. Now, I’m not anti-laziness — just the opposite, I assure you — but we can’t let it stop us from making our dreams come true. So instead, make a commitment, publicly. State your small, achievable goal, and tell it to as many people as you can. Call or email friends and family, tell all your coworkers, join an online forum related to your goal and tell all of them. Put it on your blog. However you do it, make sure people are aware of your goal, and that there’s sufficient pressure to overcome laziness.
4. Baby steps, baby. Again, inertia is a very strong force. I’ve said it before, but this is a very important step here: the best way to change is through baby steps. One small step at a time. Don’t try to bite off too much. How is this different from the above step, setting a small and achievable goal? It’s the same concept, but extended beyond the initial goal. It’s taking things one little goal at a time, a bit at a time. For example, let’s say you want to run a marathon, but currently your running regimen consists of running to the bathroom during commercial breaks while you’re watching Lost. So do you go out and start a marathon training plan? Nope. You start by walking 10 minutes a day. Then, when that becomes a habit and too easy, walk 15 minutes. Then 20, then 30. Then jog a minute, walk a couple minutes, jog a minute, and so on, for those 30 minutes. Then jog 90 seconds, and so on, until you’re running for 30 minutes. Do these steps a week or two at a time, so that all of a sudden, you’re running for 45 minutes every other day … and you barely noticed the progression. That’s the way you get to a goal … small progressions that are barely noticeable. Not by killing yourself the first day out.
“Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.” - Woody Allen
5. Hold thyself accountable. You’ve committed yourself publicly … but it’s not enough to tell people your goal. You have to make it clear that they must hold you accountable to reporting to them your progress. Then report your progress to them regularly. Daily is better than weekly. Reporting to them makes sure that you will think twice about being lazy and forgoing your action plan.
6. Motivate yourself. We’ve already discussed accountability and commitment, which are ways to put positive pressure on yourself — a form of motivation. Those are great, but you also want other types of motivation. You want to find ways to make your progress feel great … either through rewards, or the positive way you feel about your progress, or the positive way you feel when others see how well you’re doing. Find a few different ways to motivate yourself — the more the better. Incorporate these into your plan. Tell people about them. Let them help push you along.
7. Just keep doing it, no matter what. You’ll encounter obstacles, and falter and fall. Just get up and keep going. You’ll face temptations and give in. That’s OK. Just keep going. You’ll make mistakes and get discouraged. No matter … just keep going. Learn from your mistakes, and … keep going. No matter what happens, keep going. If you’re taking baby steps, you’re holding yourself accountable, and you’re actually doing something, you’ll get there.
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one” - Albert Einstein
Elsewhere:
- LifeDev: 25 Firefox Extensions to Make You More Productive (very cool — also give it a Digg if you like it!)
- The Next 45 Years: Interview with me on my blogging success
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us or on Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)
- Posted on 10 February 2008 in Goals, Motivation |
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Comments (57)
Israel Says:
February 10th, 2008, 21:18 pm
“We will always give in to temptation. Plan for it, accept it, move on. There’s no need to beat yourself up.”
Nice. well said. Now we need some help with how to deal with it.
Summy Says:
February 10th, 2008, 21:33 pm
This is exactly the concept behind Layering. Just keep launching successes. One thing layering adds is that you keep tweaking/improving as you go.
dokidok Says:
February 10th, 2008, 21:42 pm
I like number 7.Just keep doing it, no matter what.
Everybody has been in situation when other people tell you that you have to give up and better find another job . When you are young and without experience you tend to beleive them and say to yourself, “Yes, may be they are right. I gotta stop doing what I like, because these people told me that I am not good enough for that”. There is always somebody who wants to put you down and makes you feel miserable. Don’t listen to this toxic people and just keep doing what you want in life.
Jeff Pickett Says:
February 10th, 2008, 21:49 pm
Reading through this reminds me of any modern day diet plan. The first step is simply taking a step. Any step. Hold yourself accountable, but for extra measure, tell someone else of your plans and have them be an accountability partner for you. Finally, set your goal and do some reverse leveraging. Buy a new iPhone or clothing or whatever as your goal - only you don’t get the reward until you’ve met the goal. So a friend holds your reward and is instructed only to give it to you once you’ve hit your goal. If you don’t, then the item goes to someone else. There are no returns, no alternatives. It comes down to a simple promise that you make to yourself.
Harsh? Maybe, but it works. I once wrote a $1000 check for a friend to keep until I hit my weight loss goals (thus my diet analogy). If I didn’t hit my goals, the check would be given to a charity. Either way the money would go to a good cause, but getting the money back allowed me to purchase the new clothes following my weight loss.
Put some skin in the game if you’re really serious about improving your life.
Kelly Rigby Says:
February 10th, 2008, 22:03 pm
Nice post Leo. I also think a key question to sit with at the beginning of this process is: “Do I really want this?” Or do I just think I SHOULD want it? In my twenties I struggled a lot with other people’s goals, or with goals that seemed like a good or SENSIBLE idea.
The key to happiness and success at anything is being honest with what you really do want. Even if everyone else thinks it’s crazy or unattainable.If it comes from the heart, you’ll fight for it. if it doesn’t, you end up fighting yourself and feeling like a failure.
:) Kelly
Mchilly Says:
February 10th, 2008, 22:11 pm
This article really get into me, I mean I always have this goal but I keep on giving into temptation…
For me it’s really hard to achieve my goals but thanks to your info I noted every single steps that I should make to achieve them.
I wonder if your an angel? hahaha just kidding :-)
Corey - Simple Marriage Project Says:
February 10th, 2008, 22:44 pm
Again, great ideas Leo. I love the fact that the things you present can easily be tweaked in order to apply them to relationships. Especially 2 and 4. Plus you get the bonus of another person applying the same principles as you. Great things can then happen quickly. Thanks for the principles.
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net Says:
February 10th, 2008, 22:44 pm
Nice stuff Leo. I’ve found that having your goals tie in with your values to be the most powerful thing - all the steps you recommend come more or less naturally then. It’s stuff that you don’t really wanna do (for me, going on the exercise bike, for example) that really needs a good push.
So I would say find some way to tie in your goals with your core values and ultimate passion. I exercised a lot when I had goals of being a competitive athlete, even though I didn’t enjoy the running and biking, it wasn’t a chore because of what my overarching goals were.
Cheers,
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.
Dave Says:
February 10th, 2008, 23:42 pm
Another well written blog posts. I love the quote scattered throughout. And, again, congrats on your much deserved success!
Amir Ahmad | PassionBasedLearning.com Says:
February 10th, 2008, 23:50 pm
I love it! One of your best posts so far.
Big audacious goals are nice and scary but in order to achieve them you gotta set tiny goals that lead towards that big fat one you aim for.
Baby steps indeed.
Miss Gisele from myBeautyMatch.com Says:
February 11th, 2008, 0:14 am
Well said … well said!
If you don’t feel accountable to achieving your goals, then there is little motivation.
Unless, you realize that you and only YOU are responsible for making things happen in your life, your desires will NEVER become realities and they will simply continue to be great stories you tell your friends when you go out for a drink.
No one can motivate you, people might be able to inspire you, but in the end, you’ve got to be motivated enough to go after what you really (REALLY) want in life to make things happen for yourself … or else, you simply stay stuck in a vicious circle of establishing New Years resolutions that you abandon before Valentine’s day.
Leo, this is a good wake up because it’s still early in the year and there is loads of time left for your readers to their their desires into realities!
Miss Gisele B.
http://www.mybeautymatch.com
JZ Says:
February 11th, 2008, 1:18 am
Important part of doing anything. One of my favorite thoughts is that you should act your way into a feeling instead of feeling your way into an action.
I rarely (ever?) feel like exercising, but once I get started I feel great.
Nice list.
Jenn
http://LabelMeHappy.com
http://JustADDdistraction.blogspot.com
Suzie Cheel Says:
February 11th, 2008, 1:39 am
Thanks Leo, another inspirational post and the simple wisdom. I love it and beginning to employ it in a positive way.
I think taking baby steps is so good and also having 1 goal for the year. Have just written a post about this- There is a fork in the road: Which path shall I take ?
You book ZDT is a must read and a great way to start the action steps toward simplifying your life, and on the path to success.
Suzie
Your
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:
February 11th, 2008, 1:39 am
One of the greatest systems for motivation I’ve come across is one Anthony Robbins talks about in Get the Edge. It’s about using anger to push you to the next level:
“This may seem like a step in the wrong direction, but anger can be a great motivator. In fact, feeling a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with our lives is often exactly what’s needed to push us to the next level. It all comes down to the fact that everyone is driven by a combination of pleasure and pain, i.e. the proverbial carrot and stick. Focus on the pain of where you are and the pleasure of where you want to be. Decide that it’s about time you raised your standards and refused to accept mediocrity any longer. Decide that things absolutely have to change and that they absolutely have to change right now.”
(www.varsityblah.com/get-the-edge)
Nez Says:
February 11th, 2008, 2:03 am
Hi Leo,
Excellent post as always. On the subject of self-improvement, got any tips on how to get kids to improve, seeing as you have six of your own? I’d love to read more about applying the zenhabit way to raising kids.
Keep up the great job!
Shamelle @ Enhance Life Says:
February 11th, 2008, 2:24 am
Some great tips as always.
To add to what you have mentioned…
* I think we need to accept that it won’t always be easy.
* Don’t underestimate yourself!
Sometimes, we read it and think its too difficult for me.
Leo Says:
February 11th, 2008, 2:24 am
@Nez: Excellent suggestion! Although, I have to admit, I am not good at getting kids to change their habits. It’s a challenge for me — I’m trying to learn to be more accepting of who they are, while trying to guide them towards the right values. Not always an easy task, for a parent — being accepting — especially when that involves having to clean up after them and be understanding when they forget the books they need to do their homework everyday. :)
Jesse Hines, Vigorous Writing Says:
February 11th, 2008, 3:00 am
“Make a date. Right now.”
Besides defining exactly what is you want to achieve and why, making a date to get going with your plan may be the most important aspect in turning desires into reality.
Making that date–to exercise, to write, to set your budget–the most important thing on your calendar is crucial as well.
Good ideas.
maria Says:
February 11th, 2008, 6:23 am
Hi Leo, all
could you ad a tip for the case a person is highly motivated but is not naturally gifted for his desire/goal?
Thanks
jewelfaerie.com Says:
February 11th, 2008, 8:27 am
Just doing it is what helped me lose 15 lbs a few years ago! I remember not wanting to go to the gym many times but telling myself-just go, then figure it out there…inevitably, I at least did SOMETHING there! And it worked in the end.
Now I struggle with the “do I really want it or is it something I SHOULD do” question with my last 15 lbs :-). I really do want to lose them some days, and other days I think, “I just want to lose those last few lbs because society says I SHOULD”. I guess when I really want it, I’ll get off my rear and do it! :-)
Crystal- http://www.jewelfaerie.com
Ben Says:
February 11th, 2008, 8:38 am
A quick comment about misuse of the term “inertia”. Inertia is the property of a body to resist change in momentum, so while it makes bodies at rest hard to accelerate into motion, it also means bodies in motion are hard to slow down (which may be appropriate as a metaphor for the necessity in forming new habits to engender long term lifestyle changes). If someone begins a new habit and then stops they’ve overcome the inertia of their new behaviour to change it again (just for the worse in this case).
(I guess from a physics perspective a better metaphor would be some kind of restoring force to a long-term mean, coupled with friction: if everything else is left alone the system relaxes to a state of rest; energy needs to be continually expended to maintain motion.
Mark Says:
February 11th, 2008, 8:51 am
Hi Leo,
A very wise person, Scott Rigsby who is the first physically challenged double amputee athlete to complete the Hawaii IrnMan triathlon, once told me that, “You can’t steer a parked car.”
Andrew G Says:
February 11th, 2008, 9:22 am
Good point about motivating yourself. One of the best ways to motivate yourself to achieve physical fitness goals is to keep a detailed exercise log:
http://aggfitness.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/why-and-how-to-use-a-workout-log/
Matt Says:
February 11th, 2008, 9:57 am
Baby steps and keeping moving - both very true. I’ve been working on a side project that has gotten delayed and paused many times but every time it slows down I stop and start with the baby steps again. I’m very slowly starting to see the effects of all the work and its encouraging and that by itself is starting to pick up momentum.
Good post.
Journey Says:
February 11th, 2008, 10:11 am
Great post as usual. Not only inspiring but practical! I’m becoming a big fan of your blog, Leo. I have blocked most of my favorite web sites on my work computer, but I’m leaving this one unblocked.
I just bought your book too, btw.
Keep up the good work!
Jo
Stephen Martile Says:
February 11th, 2008, 10:14 am
Hi Leo,
“Inertia is beat only by movement. Once you get going, momentum builds up and inertia is no longer a factor. So the key is to get started.”
Love it. I can be a big procrastinator at times so this line sang to me. I realize that it will never be the perfect time to start; that I just need to get going and start something.
I even wrote an article that was published in Confidence Bound,
Just Start
http://www.stephenmartile.com/?p=14
Enjoy,
Miss Thrifty Says:
February 11th, 2008, 13:28 pm
“All the good intentions in the history of the universe mean nothing if you don’t actually get started. And the only way to get started is to take action, right now. Not tomorrow, not later today, not in an hour, not when you finish reading this article. Right now!”
Excellent post! I ran for half an hour on the treadmill immediately after reading this quote. Number seven is an especially good point. It’s so easy to give up in the face of obstacles and failure, but this is a great reminder to just keep on working on my goals. Thanks Leo :)
Dawn Says:
February 11th, 2008, 14:43 pm
You’re absolutely right about being accountable and rewarding yourself.
A perfect example: last week on Rachael Ray they did a story on a woman who’s goal was to lose 200lbs in 2 years. She had friends “sponsor” her for each pound by giving her some sort of reward when she lost that pound. She was rewarded every step of the way (Rachael Ray gave her a $1000 shopping spree for pound 180), AND she was held accountable to the person who sponsored her.
I’m good at being accountable; I left my friends know what my monthly goals are, and how I am doing with them. I also keep going when I slip up with them. I use babysteps; I use your monthly goal form and build in it each month. In January, my goal was to “move” twice a week. This month, my goal is still to “move” twice a week, but one of those times _must_ be at the gym (although I can do any class or form of exercise I choose while I am there).
The only part I have trouble with is rewarding myself. I have a big problem with impulse-buying, so I can never wait long enough to buy myself a reward :)
Felton Roberts Says:
February 11th, 2008, 15:08 pm
Wow, you just hit most items square on. I would like to add, that it helps me to use a really simple online todo-list. That way you can “Get moving, a bit at a time”, and know what your next task can be. I use http://www.TodoPub.com because it’s super basic, and lets me send my lists to my cellphone - however, any uncomplicated todo-list would work. Then I just make a list for each project I have going in life, and grab something to do for each day, that is on my list.
Naomi Says:
February 11th, 2008, 15:09 pm
Great Post Leo,
that part about setting a date. Excellent, and I might add, ‘make a date, and do something towards it right now.’
Especially liked the quote from Yoda.
Naomi
creativelyselfemployed.com Says:
February 11th, 2008, 15:53 pm
Great article.
Also a snap for appearing in Real Simple! That’s a huge mag!!
Nik Says:
February 11th, 2008, 16:36 pm
Yes, sometimes it’s not enough to commit yourself publicly. Have you ever thought of strengthening your motivation by making a “commitment deposit”? Just give someone 50 euros (for example) and tell them to keep them if you fail to stick to your new program!
Hmm, Leo, perhaps people can start making commitment deposits on the forums and if they fail, you could give them to your favorite charity? :)
Digital Says:
February 11th, 2008, 17:27 pm
This post wins.
Another perspective on the baby steps idea: “Live beyond your edge, but not too far.” Living too far beyond your edge — trying to change too many habits at once, or make too big of changes to your habits — is like sprinting on the first leg of a marathon. Pace yourself. Live just beyond your edge, but not too far.
chris Says:
February 11th, 2008, 17:35 pm
This is some great advice! If only more college graduates thought of this during their first years of their job hunts.
Dee Says:
February 11th, 2008, 17:41 pm
Thanks for another great post.
Until you do something, life is just happening inside your head.
dani Says:
February 11th, 2008, 18:47 pm
You can’t change kids, make them change their habits, any more than you can do that with adults. But you can choose to model healthy behavior for them all the time, because you’re around them all the time - tell them about your own projects and goals as you are working on them, show them how you are rewarding yourself, be available to help them create similar plans and goals for themselves if they are interested. The biggest key is to be supportive, accepting, and compassionate, never negative or critical - while still setting and keeping appropriate boundaries with them. Kids who can trust that they are loved unconditionally and that there is nothing “bad” about them are the ones who can make healthy choices - unhealthy choices, and trouble sticking to healthy choices, come from fear and self-criticism.
Lily Says:
February 11th, 2008, 18:53 pm
I love number 2 Leo. I perfected the art of making BIG plans and then constantly failing because I frightened myself half to death *laughs*. The last couple of years I’ve been making bite size changes and discovering they work. I feel like a jigsaw puzzle that’s in the process of the making. I can quite often see the big picture, it’s the smaller pieces that can fox me. These days I am happy to try a piece to see if it fits, if it’s the wrong piece compared to where I am in the puzzle, I’m not afraid to put it back and try another. Little things, one at a time are helping me create my big picture :-)
Richard Rinyai Says:
February 11th, 2008, 19:58 pm
I actually went through some rough times in the past with sleeping pill addiction. The only way I was able to get off of it was to take baby steps, as you mentioned in the post, which worked. It took about a year, but finally got rid of them.
I tried to quit cold turkey, but felt like I was going to die. Not a good idea.
Thanks,
Richard Rinyai
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net
Marelisa Fabrega Says:
February 11th, 2008, 21:29 pm
I would add that you should set large long-term goals and the smallest short-term goals you can think of. People tend to underestimate what they can do in the long-run and overestimate what they can do in the short-run.
Once you have a 5-year vision for yourself you can meditate daily on that vision using creative visualization to help keep you motivated. In addition, the more you expose your subconscious mind to what you want to achieve during meditation, the more your subconscious mind will direct your conscious every-day actions toward that goal.
DannyBly Says:
February 11th, 2008, 21:52 pm
Nice article. It’s all about the inertia - like the Nike ad…Just Do It!
Maura Says:
February 11th, 2008, 23:06 pm
Leo, I always enjoy your articles, but on this point, I take grave exception: telling other people about your goals in order to get them to motivate you is not necessarily a good or appropriate choice. This is a recurring theme in your writing that I am quite at odds with … it may work for some, but not all.
For an introvert, needs, desires and passions may be far more powerful personal motivators than friendly “nagging” by people checking in about their progress or the effort required to make dutiful update reports. Focus and drive may be the fuel needed rather than social interaction. When setbacks occur, goals and pursuits can be adjusted, and inner reserves drawn upon to push forward, without the demotivation caused by the awful feeling of publicly announcing failure to progress or achieve. (Who needs any help feeling bad when they miss the mark, or empty encouragement either?)
Besides, there is always the person or group of people that will pull you back, push you down, naysay and discourage you… it only takes one determined jerk to thwart your efforts or destroy your inner flame, and it may not even be someone you chose to tell, but someone who has heard of your efforts by word of mouth. This is especially true when goals that are particularly challenging or deeply personal.
The individual who quietly pursues their passion or goal, even if in mediocrity, can enjoy its pursuit without publicly enduring the spotlight in any success or failure to achieve it, and accompanying feelings of embarrassment or humiliation. Instead, joys may be found along the journey instead of at the finish line, and every small success becomes the reward that fuels the next.
Anup Nair Says:
February 12th, 2008, 6:48 am
I was watching Fight Club the other day and was totally blown away by Tyler Durden’s philosophy of life.
He says ‘How much can you know about yourself if you’ve never been in a fight?’ I see a deep spiritual resonance in his quotes. Can anyone put up an article on this topic? For those who have never seen fight club,I strongly recommend this brilliant movie(if you’ve seen the movie -read the book) Its definitely one movie that has changed the way I look at life…
frugalwench Says:
February 12th, 2008, 9:03 am
I don’t have time to read now, but I’m definitely bookmarking and coming back. You’ve done a great job here.
Laurie Says:
February 16th, 2008, 1:05 am
This reminds me of what I heard at a conference earlier this week. When making changes, think big, start small, and go for an early success. Great post!
Wai Ling Says:
February 21st, 2008, 0:16 am
Great post. Very informative and inspirational!
Personally, I keep myself motivated and up beat everyday by watching or listening to at least 1 motivational and positive online seminar (average 20 min) by the world class leaders like Bill Gates, Robert Kiyosaki, T Harv Eker, Anthony Robbins, Warren Buffett, Brian Tracy,…etc
Cheers!
Wai Ling
http://www.InspiringJourneyToFinancialFreedom.com
Jonathan Mead Says:
February 26th, 2008, 15:22 pm
For me, motivation and keeping the end in mind are the biggest things that help me stay on track. When I think about my goals and my reasons for doing it, instead of all the hard work it will take, I become more motivated and take more action.
http://jonathanmead.com - Authenticity, Clarity, Balance
Pamela Wynn Says:
February 29th, 2008, 23:50 pm
I can definetly relate to this. Recently I decided to quit smoking, it is ongoing. Trying to quit is more like it, but I agree with you and instead of beating myself up, I am proud that I cut down and now smoke much less!
Rob Lugo Says:
April 4th, 2008, 22:28 pm
This is a fantastic article, it pretty much outlines all the necessary steps involved with “self improvement”. my favorite is by far to keep doing it no matter what. It can be very easy for us to just give up op or make excuses for our selves and this can many times be what makes or brakes us.
Irene Sng Says:
May 3rd, 2008, 23:41 pm
I like the note on “a bit at a time”. This is very true. To start with a big chunk of challenging task is demoralising and mental resistive. A small step taken is a small step nearer to goal. That’s the ultimate message for action. Thanks for sharing this important post.
andybigs Says:
May 12th, 2008, 6:45 am
Points taken! I’ve always tried setting the date and actually writing it down on my corkboard - so far it’s worked, and although the temptation to get lazy is so big, I feel way better(and accomplished too!) when I get over that temptation, get my act together and commit working towards that goal.
Alex Goumakos Says:
June 5th, 2008, 8:28 am
This is an excellent post. I especially agree with two of the concepts.
1) Get moving. Many people are waiting for the right mood to strike them before they start. Simply reverse the steps and the mood will come. Inspiration seldom generates action. But action always generates inspiration. A thing begun is more than half done.
2) Commit thyself, big time. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm …..and also boredom, drudgery and monotony. People don’t often fail because they don’t know what they’re doing, but because they don’t have the drive and stamina to sustain enthusiasm over the long haul. And the best way to beat this is to ‘do what nature best equipped you for’, i.e, do what you love. When you do what you love, you’ll never work a hard day in your life. And I think that’s the key.
Thanks again for a great post.
Irene Sng Says:
July 17th, 2008, 11:36 am
I like the part about ignoring failures. Yes, failures do hinder our progress, but they are the very components that allow us to learn too. They set the references for us to move forward. Ignore them when we are sure we are one up over the past self. Nice site to visit.
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