Another benefit of smaller goals is flexibility. If you hit your goal for the week – great! Set new goals for the next week. If you don’t hit your goal for the week – no need to beat yourself up. One bad week does not a failure make. Adjust your goal accordingly (was it realistic?) and try again next week.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Chinese Proverb
It is no small secret that big tasks can feel especially daunting. This can lead to an overwhelming experience of paralysis. In other words, if the goal feels too big or as if it will take too long, it may feel too discouraging to even start. These strategies can help.
- Be careful with your self-talk. It is okay to start wherever you are. You do not have to compete with or compare yourself with anyone else. Set goals that are appropriate for your schedule, desired outcome and fitness level. Maybe your pal has a goal to finish a 5k but a more reasonable goal for you would be to finish a 1-mile fun run first.
- Remind yourself why the larger goal is important to you in the first place. What outcome are you hoping for? Why does it matter to you? Your motivation must be clear and encouraging enough to keep you going, even when you feel like giving up.
Any goal is more manageable when you break it into smaller pieces. Just like you wouldn’t expect yourself to eat an elephant in one sitting, you can tackle your most daunting tasks a little at a time.
