Small Incremental Changes

Key Takeaways:

• The gap between where we are and where we want to be can be so large that we often find the challenge overwhelming and unattainable.
• We need to be aware of this gap and identify the small changes we can act on today that will get us closer to where we want to be. These changes can be, and often are, foundational. The most fundamental thing to do is the simple act of scheduling time to perform a task. Examples could include waking up an hour earlier to go for a run. Or, it could be scheduling time after work to work on a writing project.
• Starting small is key. Let’s say we want our kids to create a habit of flossing daily. Start with having them floss a single tooth every day for one week. Yes, just one tooth. Start small and build from there.
• Killing old habits is tough. To start, focus on consistency over quality. Make the change so tiny it’s almost trivial. Then, you’ll have no excuse not to do it.

Further Research:

• Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit