Day 14 is all about ensuring you kick overwhelm to the curb by breaking down the goal into baby steps. Baby steps are one of the best ways to success.
As I have already discussed, it is important that your goals and resolutions be somewhat challenging, but not too overwhelming. Something that is easy to accomplish may not seem worth doing and probably won’t make much of an impact on your life. On the other hand, if it seems impossible, you might not even want to try to accomplish that task. Setting an objective to a challenging level that is somewhere in the middle is usually best, but even these realistic goals can seem way too much at times.
So what do you do?
Giving up is not an option.
You want to be successful at keeping your resolution this time.
The answer actually is not that difficult. You can easily kick overwhelm to the curb by breaking things down into baby steps. Keep reading, and I will show you how it’s done.
Define It
First, you will want to be sure you have a well-defined goal. It should have all the SMART components we have mentioned before. When you follow these guidelines, you will have a target that is actionable and can be broken down into manageable pieces. You will have a task ahead of you that can be measured and that has an endpoint. Now you just need to move forward to figure out the best way to take control of your dream.
Break It Down
You gain control by breaking it down. If you want to write a book, you probably do not want to just start typing and hope for the best. Instead, figure out the steps that will get it done. Go as small or tiny as you need to in order to feel comfortable. If it all seems like just too much, try to come up with the smallest baby steps possible to take so that you will at least be doing something. Perhaps a trip to the library or museum for historical research can be your jumping-off point. If you are a history buff, this will be a fun activity without the intimidation factor, but it will also be undertaking a necessary step toward writing your masterpiece.
Get Out the Map
Next, you will want to set milestones for when you will complete each step. This will not only keep you moving forward and on track to reaching your goal, but it is also a great way to trick your brain. You will be able to check each one off as it is completed and see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. That is very powerful when it comes to kicking overwhelm in the pants. Consider going even further by coming up with one baby step you can take each day toward fulfilling your goal. This way you will always be moving ahead.
Follow these guidelines to breaking your goals into baby steps. Mini actions are far less intimidating than grand plans. The good news is you can achieve the same results with both.
Why Do We Make Resolutions – Day 1
The Importance of Setting Goals – Day 2
Value of a Support System – Day 3
Motivation is Key to Progress – Day 4
Measure Your Progress – Day 5
How to Make Resolutions Stick – Day 6
Are You Making Smart Goals – Day 7
How Habits and Routines Can Help You Stick to Your Resolutions – Day 8
Don’t Go It Alone – The Value of a Support System – Day 9
Motivation Is Key – Keeping Your “Why” Front and Center – Day 10
The Value of Measuring Your Progress Along the Way – Day 11
A Journal Can Be a Powerful Tool for Goals and Resolutions – Day 12
Success Tip – Don’t Try to Change Too Much at Once – Day 13