Small Steps

The hard part is getting started. Whether you’re working toward recovery, completing a house/yard project, or exercising to improve health, even tiny steps are progress.

I love this cartoon for adults and children. It feels awesome to achieve a goal, especially if it’s something that scares or intimidates us. Like when Talee and I finally got control of our panic attacks. Or when Talee and Mackenzie went ziplining (fear of heights!) Or when I skied down a mountain (fear of skiing!)

I tend to get overwhelmed by projects. I’m impatient. My husband is the opposite. I’ve learned from him that I can achieve rewards if I take the time and have the patience to get there. That’s hard to do!

This is how I handle it: I tell myself, “I’ll make this one phone call” or “I’ll work out for fifteen minutes” or “I’ll clean the closet for half an hour.” I need to start with something, even if it’s small. Then I feel good I’ve accomplished that one part, and think, “Okay, I can do this, it’s not so bad.” Before I know it, I’ve been on the exercise bike for forty minutes, or cleaned four shelves of the closet.

Of course, there are times I feel like I’ve taken ten steps forward, and six steps back. So frustrating! But I know if I keep at it, I’ll eventually achieve my goal.

Small steps can reap great rewards.

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Image courtesy of alifetimeofwisdom.com