When I endeavor to make some positive change in my life, I often view that undertaking as an all-or-nothing prospect. I assume that if I do it at all, it's going to be all out. For me, one of two things happen: 1) I come on strong with guns a-blazin' for a short while and eventually burnout or 2) I can't decide exactly what perfect steps I must take in order to succeed and so I never really get going.
My first mistake is common one in health and fitness circles. Many people join a gym on January 1st with wonderful goals that are the complete antithesis of their life up to that point. They're going to jog 5 days a week, lift weights 3 days a week and take a yoga class twice a week all on their new low-calorie diet. Very few can sustain such a stark change in their life for long.
My second mistake is also nothing new. It is often called "paralysis by analysis." The thinking is if I'm going to do something, it's got to be the perfect thing. I spend so much time reading diet books and comparing exercise programs hoping that at some point I'll find a unifying theory and reach complete peace in my decision.
Both of these can be remedied by a single idea: start something small today. Great changes that last are often simple, small changes compounded over many days, months and years. Anytime I'm asked about diet and nutrition I often tell the person to just add in some vegetables one meal per day. It's a simple change that will produce some good returns as they pick up steam with it. After they've settled into that routine, I'd have them one other thing different, say, replace sugar for breakfast with protein. Again, after establishing that as part of their daily life, move onto something else.
Frequently we get excited about some goal or vision of our future selves and try to bite off more than we can chew. I like to ask people that talk to me about training what they are actually going to do. If you don't like jogging, I wouldn't recommend starting a 5k training cycle. Start with what you like, what you know or what interests you. There are so many forms of exercise that something will likely spark your interest. You may have to do some boring work to get where you want to be but at least the end goal intrigues you.
So start today. Find something you can see yourself doing for the next three week as it engrains itself into your life. And if you stumble, falter or slow down, don't hang your head for too long. Get back out there and get on track. Or whatever motivational phrase you prefer.
This is nothing new or ground breaking because there is no real secret to attaining success. The first step to achieving a goal is always to start. Success is a product of discipline and consistency. Take action and begin to change your life.
Recommended Reading:
Start by Jon Acuff
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
