Single steps
Welcome, new resolutes. If you have set a goal to have more health and less weight this year, you know that you are not alone. However, by making small changes, you can achieve success. I am living proof!
I like the idea of setting an intention for the new year. I have already set my goals but I wanted to have something a bit more thematic. I wanted a short, simple word or a phrase to fall back on, when motivation and focus wane. (They will. They do.) I’ve been struggling, though, to settle on something. I love words and there are just so many to choose from! I also wanted it to be something that could apply both to my fitness efforts as well as to other areas of my life. (So, “exercise” wouldn’t work.)
I envy those who have set their intention with a single word — like “leap” or “focus” or “be.” Mine desired direction is just as simple as these concepts (if not more simple!) but I haven’t yet been able to boil it down to just one word. In essence, what I am hoping to inspire myself to do better this year is related to the mantra I posted for this week: Take that single step.
Although it is certainly the take-home message I have gleaned from my experience so far, I decided that “baby steps” was a bit too cliche and lame of a phrase to last me through the year. I am learning a lot about how little changes and tiny successes add up, and that seems to be the “baby steps” message.
No, I think what I need is more the motivation to get off my ass and take those baby steps more resolutely and more frequently. I have often been guilty of reading, procrastinating, researching, thinking, hesitating, pondering, writing, questioning, wondering, opining, planning, and in a million other ways avoiding the kinds of actions that will be required for me to achieve my 2009 goals. In general, I need to think less and do more. I need to not only do it, but do it now — in every life category across the board. The time for thinking has passed. Life is short and I’m tired of living so much in my head.
Not sure how to boil that down to just one word, but I’m not sure it matters. I just need to commit to taking those single steps. Like, now.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
your posting made me think of the word – momentum
which in term made me think of one of my favorite quotes:
Briefly stated, the three laws are: An object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net force. Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. (Laws of motion by Sir Issac Newton)
I realize that is not ONE word – but it is what came to mind.
More of my favorites:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
“Nana korobi ya oki – fall down seven times, get up eight
“Little tiny dreams, Helen, require little tiny thoughts and little tiny steps. Great big dreams require great big thoughts and little tiny steps. Do I paint a clear picture?
The Universe”
It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognized. (translated from I Ching, an ancient Chinese text and shared by my psychiatrist.)
“I’ve learned you get to your goals in a zigzag manner, and you have to enjoy the zigzag.”
and
“All the little pieces of myself came together. I no longer think in terms of black and white: extremes don’t interest me anymore.”
(Lorie Marino, Model/Designer in
February 2008 issue of MORE magazine)
January 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
PS – I looked for the antonym of ‘procrastination’ for you – because that might be a (do it now) one word fit – but couldn’t find an antonym listed on line nor in our hardcopy dictionaries.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Why not “Now” or “Action!” :)
Jen
January 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I have always used “Persevere.” Always, always. I love words too, and that one just speaks to me… I write it on post-its, in my journals, tape it to the wall, chant it in my head during hard workouts or crappy days. I’ve also really been trying to focus on this quote, which isn’t really what you’re looking for, but is something I need to be reminded of, “The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.”
Buena suerte!