Are you over the barrage of January Go Big ads? You’re not alone—a friend shook his head as one came on, recounting how that approach had once backfired on him. When his 6-year-old daughter wanted to join the Summer soccer league, he thought it would be a fun activity for both of them. But trying to be the Best. Coach. Ever. for a bunch of first graders quickly drove him crazy. Most of the time, he felt like he was failing.
So, let me give you an alternative to the Go Big mindset: Small bites and building blocks.
That’s the approach my friend took. A methodical guy, he brainstormed all the tasks, then took them one by one. For instance, he asked other coaches how to run an effective practice. He studied age-appropriate drills. He invested in encouraging instead of demanding. And when all else failed, he gave himself credit for trying the best he could. The girls didn’t win first place that year, but the ratio of fun to temper tantrums was 10:1.
His story illustrates a secret no one tells you about setting intentions: There are two kinds of wins—the endpoint as well as what you accomplish every day.
If you’re feeling frustrated that your intentions aren’t working, let me tell you how a trainer got incredible results with the small bites, building block approach. He convinced a celebrity client that “Go big” was the worst choice she could make.
Jessica Simpson was in trouble by the time she reached out to Harley Pasternak. After three back-to-back pregnancies, she tipped the scales at 240 pounds.
You might think Pasternak would recommend a crash diet and multiple daily workouts to kickstart her success. Instead, he guaranteed she could lose the weight by practicing only five daily tasks:
You might look at that plan and wonder, Where’s the grapefruit-only cleanse? The extreme strength training? It’s not there.
Jessica started with 6,000 steps a day and added, added, added until she reached a goal of 14,000. She replaced her favorite binge foods with lighter, healthier versions. And she fed her soul by spending time with her family. Those small steps added up to a huge success: a loss of 100 pounds that she’s maintained for two years and counting. Pasternak reflected on his 5-step plan, “She’s hit her step goal, she’s eaten well, she’s balanced her responsibilities—so she can go to bed with a sense of fulfillment, and that’s everything.”
In the January series, Three Steps to Jumpstart Your Intentions, we’re talking about different ways you can create a firm foundation for your goals. As you review the case study, can you pick out key soft skills such as smart choices and building a wellness foundation on healthy self-esteem and fulfillment rather than a number on the scale? You can follow the same blueprint: Break down your big goal into bite size, actionable tasks, and then build on every success, large or small.
If the Go Big mindset is running you ragged, it’s time to give that attitude the boot. Here are three ways to practice:
Right now, you might be scanning your social media feed and feeling pressured for outrageous results. But when you feel the heat, remember all the times the Go Big mentality has let you down. Instead, make the smart choice to achieve your goals through elegant, sustainable wins. Jumpstart your intentions by reminding yourself, “Small bites. Building blocks.”