Short post today to illustrate that small adjustments matter. I used to think that I needed to run marathons to be fit. Today I don’t even run down the block and I am stronger than I have been since power lifting in the college varsity weight room.

Sure you might not be able to organize your home this weekend or even this year. But can you set an alarm on your phone to spend 10 minutes a day on the stacks of paper on your office chair?

By saying “this isn’t worth the effort” you are discounting the compounding momentum of the habit change fly wheel. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good – just start.

For want of a nail the shoe was lost. 

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For want of a horse the rider was lost.

For want of a rider the message was lost.

For want of a message the battle was lost.

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1758

And a little inside baseball? I want to be able to write long, meaningful, action item rich posts each week. But this is all I can do today. But it is something, and I am doing it.

You can too.

There is no part of habit change that is too small. Small adjustments matter.

Sustainable You Reflections

  • What habit change are you talking yourself out of?
  • Is it too big? Too hard? Too scary? What story are you telling yourself?
  • What small chunk can you break off to work on – just a piece, not the whole scary thing?

Until next time remember to create productive results in a way that you can sustain and that work for you.