Are you looking to change your life but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people feel overwhelmed when they think about making changes, especially if they are significant and challenging. That’s why it’s essential to start small.
I have previously discussed how small steps can be necessary when moving forward so as not to drive you towards stress or overwhelm. Only some things in life need considerable changes to make significant impacts.
Here, we’ll discuss the five-step method of starting small to improve yourself. By following these steps, you can gradually progress towards your goals and eventually achieve them!
Here are five practical steps to help you start your self-improvement journey:
1. Don’t change everything at once. Start with one small goal that you can quickly achieve. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, start by adding one new healthy food to your diet each week. Or, if you want to exercise more, commit to walking for 20 minutes daily.
● Small goals are much easier to achieve than large ones and can help you build momentum.
● If you try to change everything immediately, you will likely get overwhelmed and give up. Therefore, start small and be patient with yourself. Remember that progress is more important than perfection.
● Here are some valuable tips to help you start small: Set realistic goals that you can achieve. You must only end up disappointed if you set big, overwhelming goals. Instead, set clear, targeted, realistic goals that you can achieve.
● For example, don’t set a goal to make $1 million weekly. Although it’s not impossible, it’s more realistic to set a small monthly goal: “I will earn $2000 a month from my online business by August 2023.”
● Setting specific, attainable goals is one of the best ways to improve yourself. If goals daunt you, you can set the goal and focus on the process instead.
● For example, if you need to lose weight, forget about the number on the scale and focus on the actions you need to take every day to lose weight.
● You will need to exercise often and eat healthy meals. Therefore, each day, you can set a goal to walk 10,000 steps and to eat one healthy meal.
2. Decide on a course of action and stick to it. It will help you stay focused and motivated. Write your goals and action steps, then put them somewhere you’ll see them often. Make sure your plan is specific and realistic to follow through with it. Also, track your progress and celebrate your wins.
● Break down your goal into smaller goals or action steps. It will make it seem more achievable, and you’ll be able to track your progress more quickly.
● Act every day. Even if it’s just a tiny step, working towards your goal is more important than taking sporadic giant steps.
3. Celebrate your wins. It will help you stay motivated and keep progressing towards your goal. Acknowledge even your smallest accomplishments and give yourself credit for your progress. Recognise that every step forward is a success, no matter how small it may seem.
● Some ideas for celebrating your accomplishments: Buy yourself something new as a treat, such as a new pair of shoes, a new handbag, gaming equipment, or a new book. Take yourself out for a meal or to see a movie.
● Do something you enjoy, such as taking a relaxing bath, playing your favourite sport, or going for a massage.
● Tell your friends and family about your accomplishments and ask them to celebrate with you.
● Write about your success in a journal. It is a great way to reflect on your progress and stay motivated. You can also start a YouTube channel to document your journey. People like to watch others achieve their goals.
4. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and you’re bound to have setbacks. What’s important is that you learn from your mistakes and keep going. Be patient with yourself, and remember that progress takes time.
● Forgive yourself. It is essential to move on from your mistakes. Do this by practicing self-compassion. It’s vital if you want to improve yourself.
● Focus on the present. The past is in the past, and you can’t change it. All you can do is focus on the present moment and make the best of it.
● Learn from your mistakes. Ensure you understand what went wrong to avoid repeating the same error.
● Let go of perfectionism. Accept that you’re human and we get things wrong sometimes, so making mistakes is okay. Perfectionism can be a massive obstacle to self-improvement, so learn to let go of it.
● Practice self-care. It is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. When taking care of yourself, you’re more likely to be in a better frame of mind and better able to improve yourself.
5. Be patient and keep working towards your goals, even when things get tough. It’s normal to have setbacks and feel discouraged. But don’t give up on yourself. Be patient, and keep working towards your goal, no matter how long it takes. Remember that progress is more important than perfection.
● Find a role model or mentor who has achieved your goals. It will give you some insight and inspiration. Talk to them whenever you need a boost, but ultimately learn how to motivate yourself.
● Join a community or group of people who are working towards similar goals. It will provide support and motivation. You can find online groups or meetups in your area.
● Create a vision board for what you want to achieve. It will help you focus on your goals and visualise what you want to achieve. You can create a physical or digital vision board to help you imagine and visualise your goals.
● Set weekly or monthly goals to track your progress and see how far you’ve come. It will help you stay motivated even when you do not see results immediately.
● Find a friend or family member who will support you. It is someone you can rely on for encouragement and accountability.
● Read motivational books or listen to podcasts. It is a great way to get inspired and learn new tips and tricks.
Starting small is a great way to improve yourself without feeling overwhelmed. Remember to set realistic goals, plan action, and be patient. And don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments and practice self-compassion. With these five steps, you’ll be on your way to a better version of yourself.
If you need help with this, book in a call and lets chat and getting you moving forward with your life.
Tony Gordon
www.changingyourmindltd.com
tonygordon@changingyourmindltd.com
https://linktr.ee/acdg1
I am a certified wellbeing practitioner and coach, helping my clients achieve their personal and professional goals. The essence of my work is to facilitate self-growth by helping you identify the core challenges and obstacles in your life, so that you can overcome them with confidence. I specialise in creating personalised plans and providing tools to guide you forward to achieve your desired goals.
