Start Small. Finish Big. Size Does Matter.
How many of you slipped in behind the steering wheel of your parents’ car for the first time and just drove away? Okay, maybe a few of you. But how many of you ended up denting a fender and then had a lot of explaining to do? How many of you sat down in the first grade and wrote a best selling novel? I’d like to say that I did, but back then I didn’t know a B from a Q.
So how do you get there – from driving cross country to dipping your big toe into the Pacific or autographing copies of your first book for a long line of adoring book enthusiasts?
With all you have to do on a daily basis, you need to be inventive and steal a few minutes each day that you can claim for your very own. Seems like not enough time to even bother working towards a new goal or fulfilling a long held dream? Well, I beg to differ.
Start small. Finish big. That’s it.
Since I am obligated to finish this article, I will continue.
When you think about what would make your life have more meaning, does the big picture make you shake uncontrollably? Are you working or still raising a family or both, but would love to take that dream about becoming a portrait photographer, a potter or a politician and bring it closer to a reality? Would you love to have more room in your life by removing years of junk that is taking over your closets and drawers and driving you to distraction? Start small. Finish big.
1) Give yourself a deadline. I had a client who wanted to clear out years of papers that had been making her bedroom a fire hazard. I asked her if she could devote 5 minutes over the weekend to go thru some of the papers. She made a face at me when I suggested only 5 minutes, but agreed to it. We spoke the following week and she ending up giving herself 15 minutes and threw out 3 bags of items that no longer had room in her life. She started small and exceeded her goal. And she decided to keep giving herself permission to allow more into her life by getting rid of things that were taking up her space. Start small. Finish big.
2) Take 15 minutes for yourself. Yes, you can. Your dreams are calling and they would like an answer. In fifteen minutes, you could Google art schools in your area that offer photography course. Ask them for the names of advisors that you could talk to. You could call local art galleries and find out how to put together a show of your pottery. Start making it real. You could look up politicians in your area and call them about how you could volunteer in the community. Get that momentum going. Start small. Finish big.
3) Give your goals a safety net and watch what happens. Don’t abandon what you love to do or need to do because of time. So many other people found the time and achieved their goals. So why not you? You deserve it. Look for supportive people who will encourage you to move ahead. Steer clear of the negative people – they are the dream killers. Actually, they are scared to shake things up, but are probably envious of your spirit. We need dreamers who reach their goals to inspire us all. Do it for us. Start small. Finish big, It’s that simple. Now get out there and give me 15!
If you have tried the, “Start Small. Finish Big” theory, please leave a comment and let us know about your successes and challenges. You could be someone’s inspiration. Imagine that.
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Start Small. Finish Big. I can do that! I like this concept…and it’s not too overwhelming. XX love you, Elizabeth!
Great blog!
I had an idea for an afterschool art program in the local school district and I needed to write a proposal. I knew exactly what I wanted to say and do but could not pin point down where to start. I had never written a proposal,and it became an overwhelming task, I kept thinking about it… for two months, finally I decided to sit down and research “How to write a Proposal”.
Once I found examples of how I could write it. I learned how to break down all of my ideas and place them in categories. By giving each category a title I was able to organize my thoughts, this eliminated the task of actually writing too much and made it direct and to the point.
With the help of a wonderful proof reader my proposal was submitted a few weeks after I wrote it and A month after, they excepted my proposal and ran the program.
I like the idea of just devoting a small anmount of time to a big task. Once I get started and begin to see results, I often find myself wanting to do more to get to my goal. I have used a kitchen timer to time myself, and sometimes will set it a second time because I got involved and wanted more success. Getting started is the hardest part!
Well said, Elizabeth. I use this theory all the time on myself and my personal training clients. To get over that “I’m too tired/too busy/too whatever to exercise” hurdle, I say just plan to do only 10 minutes of stretching or walking. After the 10 minutes you are allowed to quit, no guilt, no worries. But you just may find that it feels good so you decide to do a bit more. Showing up is really 99% of the battle.
I like the idea of just a little at a time. It takes away those overwhelming feelings. By doing just a little, you get started and the momentum kicks in. Thanks! Great advise!
I applied the start small, finish big to a very personal goal. Last year when I decided to get fit, I also decided I wanted to do a triathlon. I started running in Nov. 2008 using an interval program, running a minute at a time and then walking (never ran before) and slowly started training in the swim and bike. In Sept., I came in third in my category at the Trek Women Triathlon (a 1/4 mile swim, 9 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) and I ran the whole way!
Thanks everyone for your great comments.
As far as Diane’s comment on getting into shape – I have to let everyone know how inspiring her story is and continues to be. I have know Diane a lone time and she really did apply the start small and has ended up a big winner in my eyes! And a hero! Thanks for the reminder Diane.
Check out her great blog called Fat Girl to Fit Girl: http://fatgirltofitgirl.wordpress.com/
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