Increments: the Secret to Change
The secret to getting where you want to go? Sneak up on it and stick with it.
It has taken years for me to figure this out. I’m the Energizer Bunny®. I have a history of forging ahead with great gusto on a project and keeping my head down until it’s complete. I need that checkmark on the ToDo List. Sometimes the headlong approach doesn’t work. Sometimes you need to make incremental changes until the new habit sticks, and then tweak a new habit, and then add another.
Trying to do too much all at once will wear you out and overwhelm you. Then ya just wanna kick back and have a beer instead, yes?
Case in point: My neck surgery has forced me to move differently. I want to regain as much mobility as possible, but the no-holds-barred approach doesn’t work when you are finessing daily habits for standing, sitting, walking, reaching, sleeping… you get the picture.
Each Physical Therapy session with Body Stabilization Training is a lesson in subtlety (never been one of my strengths! LOL). I am learning to separate muscle groups from each other; learning to tuck in, tighten my core, hold my ears over my shoulders, and generally make little corrections all day long. It’s not something one can power through. In my case, if I don’t “stick to it” the titanium plate in my neck gives me a sharp reminder. It’s like having a parent flick the back of your head with their hand. Okie dokie, got it.
After Surgery - My Titanium Plate
When I get frustrated, I just take a deep breath and do it anyway. I like that I have been forbidden to do more than 10 minutes exercise at home at any one time. Ten minutes I can do. And because they said I can’t do more than that, it’s easy to pick 3 or 4 little exercises and do them in between typing and working at my desk. Then I don’t feel like I’m not keeping up with my goals.
If goals, tasks, resolutions, intentions — or whatever you want to call them — are difficult for you. Try small, incremental change. That may just be your ticket.
Good luck!
Beth
© 2010 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All Rights Reserved
“I have a history of forging ahead with great gusto on a project and keeping my head down until it’s complete.”
Oh, how I wish I had your stick-to-it-iveness. I am such a multi tasker and very distractable when I have a big project to do. Like right now. I have a blog post due for Blogher tomorrow, and what am I doing? Reading other people’s blogs and procrastinating on my own work. *Sigh*
And oh, it’s almost 5am and I haven’t gone to sleep yet, so I guess I’m procrastinating on that, too.
Beth – we MUST be cut out of the same cloth. I’m a night owl too, and have to force myself to get to bed because my chihuahas think we all have to get up at 6:44 AM sharp! I do my best writing late at night, but oh well! I’m a multi-tasker too. Sometimes I think I’ve got ADD. But that checkmark on the ToDo list is addictive, as long as I don’t pile too many things on the list for the day. You gave me a good idea for tomorrow’s blog — I’ll share a little secret I have for getting it all done, WHILE multi-tasking. Good luck on your blogging!
Beth
One step at the time. Incremental steps. Whatever you call it, you’ll get more out of the things you do consciously, versus just plowing ahead all the time. Your story here is one of resilience as well as intention. Bravo for your ability to forge ahead–slowly but surely.
Beth,
You are the Queen of “Sticking To It” — your recovery from your surgery has been amazing, and I truly admire your no nonsense approach to getting well and getting stronger. Great blogs – I look forward to following them this month.
Best of everything in the New Year!
Bonnie