Earlier
we talked about the 34 ways to self improvement, how do we implement them? How
do we go from theory to actual action steps? Easy. Seven simple steps that you
can do 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 push-ups and 1 chin-up , 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.
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.
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.
Source: http://canv.as/p/ua3i7
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