What's the Least You Can Do?

Simple is the Key to Success

In other words…

For long-term success, do less.

Last week I encouraged you to set SMART goals instead of resolutions, because I want you to set yourself up for success!
(If you missed it, check it out here.)

Another often-overlooked step to success? Trying to do less.

"But, Justine, I have big goals for 2022 and I am READY to do it all."

To which I say -- Fantastic. But pace yourself.

Start small, even if you have a big goal.

Once you know what your end goal is, work backwards.

What will it take to get there? And how can you make each of those steps as small and manageable as possible?

The idea is not to see massive improvements overnight.

It's to make each action item, each step, toward the goal so freaking foolproof that you can't screw it up.

When I talk with clients, I often ask them what their ideal workout schedule or eating plan looks like. Many people have really ambitious ideas about fitting in their workouts and making delicious home-cooked meals.

And then I ask them what's realistic starting at that moment, and the answers are often a little different.

That's normal -- and that's why they hired a coach/trainer!

What I do with clients like that, and what you can do for yourself when you're setting goals, is identify what your daily action item or next step will be. It might be to walk 5 days a week, drink 8 glasses of water a day, etc.

Then ask yourself: On a scale of 1-10, how likely am I do that?

If it's 8 or below, do less.

Maybe you want to walk at lunch 5 days a week, but you know you can absolutely 10/10 walk 2 days a week. Start with that. Add on from there.

Maybe you think you should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but that feels like a big jump from barely drinking any to 8 glasses. Maybe you're 90% sure you could at least drink a glass with each meal. That's where you start, and you add on from there.

So many of us, when we're ready and motivated to make changes, want to make BIG CHANGES. We want that "New Year, New You" feeling right away.

Doing too much, too soon, though, is a recipe for burning out, for falling short and getting frustrated and giving up again until it's time for next year's resolutions.

Instead, start with the lowest possible bar to give yourself the best chance of clearing it. Make it foolproof. Make it something almost impossible to screw up. And when you nail it consistently, then add on. Raise the bar. Keep building on your successes and steadily progressing toward your goal. How much you can achieve might even surprise you.

Need help setting or staying accountable to your goals? Reach out to me at coachjustineh@gmail.com