Day 92 of 365 - Baby Steps
A little while ago, I read about the technique called Kaizen, which originated in Japan as a method for improving a business endeavor. However, it can be applied to any kind of goal or desire. Essentially, it involves taking very small baby steps towards a desired outcome to decrease resistance and fear around action.
I think this will fit in quite well with my intention to be kinder towards myself this year, doing more of what feels good and enjoyable, rather than my previous nose to the grindstone approach. It also seems like a good approach for pursuing more health and vitality.
When we take on new goals, or even repetition of previously unsuccessful ones, getting to our desired outcome, although quite desirable, can be quite daunting. Before long, it becomes too challenging to stick with our plan and we find more reasons not to do it. Essentially, we are resistant to the change or fearful about it in some way.
A kaizen approach, of continuous very small positive steps can help our worried or fearful brain be more accepting of change. One recommendation I heard was, to think of the smallest step possible towards your desire, and do that. Then, the next, and the next, and so on.
I used to be, and still am at times, pretty driven about diving whole heartedly into some new self improvement project. But, I'm finding that for stubborn areas or issues, which are not changing at all as quickly as I would like, this leads to great disappointment.
For example, a concern I have written about before is my lack of adequate sleep at night. I have implemented several different sleep hygiene strategies consistently and still do not have my desired result of a certain number of hours per night. So, each time I wake up in the night, I feel that I have failed again and worry about it. Perhaps my worrying about not achieving the ultimate goal is preventing me from making more gains.
So, as a smallest step strategy, instead of intending before I go to sleep that I am going to sleep the ideal number of hours, maybe I'll just intend that I will sleep five minutes longer than usual. Five minutes more over days or weeks will add up to the couple more hours I desire.
For me, the key will be keeping the steps simple and tiny and accepting a slower pace of change. I am already thinking of other areas I could apply this. That's fine, as long as it's tolerable. It would be unproductive to have too many projects to track which would create more stress, counter to the whole idea.
It's a delicate balance, dealing with our overactive and critical brains. We need to baby them into knowing it is safe to make changes and that it will feel good. Let's give it a whirl, shall we? Kind and gentle, steady as she goes....
I think this will fit in quite well with my intention to be kinder towards myself this year, doing more of what feels good and enjoyable, rather than my previous nose to the grindstone approach. It also seems like a good approach for pursuing more health and vitality.
When we take on new goals, or even repetition of previously unsuccessful ones, getting to our desired outcome, although quite desirable, can be quite daunting. Before long, it becomes too challenging to stick with our plan and we find more reasons not to do it. Essentially, we are resistant to the change or fearful about it in some way.
A kaizen approach, of continuous very small positive steps can help our worried or fearful brain be more accepting of change. One recommendation I heard was, to think of the smallest step possible towards your desire, and do that. Then, the next, and the next, and so on.
I used to be, and still am at times, pretty driven about diving whole heartedly into some new self improvement project. But, I'm finding that for stubborn areas or issues, which are not changing at all as quickly as I would like, this leads to great disappointment.
For example, a concern I have written about before is my lack of adequate sleep at night. I have implemented several different sleep hygiene strategies consistently and still do not have my desired result of a certain number of hours per night. So, each time I wake up in the night, I feel that I have failed again and worry about it. Perhaps my worrying about not achieving the ultimate goal is preventing me from making more gains.
So, as a smallest step strategy, instead of intending before I go to sleep that I am going to sleep the ideal number of hours, maybe I'll just intend that I will sleep five minutes longer than usual. Five minutes more over days or weeks will add up to the couple more hours I desire.
For me, the key will be keeping the steps simple and tiny and accepting a slower pace of change. I am already thinking of other areas I could apply this. That's fine, as long as it's tolerable. It would be unproductive to have too many projects to track which would create more stress, counter to the whole idea.
It's a delicate balance, dealing with our overactive and critical brains. We need to baby them into knowing it is safe to make changes and that it will feel good. Let's give it a whirl, shall we? Kind and gentle, steady as she goes....
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