Soul Nudges #26 make one good decision

In a recent coaching conversation with a leader I was again reminded about the power of simplicity as well as the compounding effect of sustaining a simple habit over time. We talked about the importance of exercise and the need to get started in January (as we normally do in January). And all of us know it is easy to make a small decision and start in January, but busy-ness as usual makes it very difficult to keep going. Like most of us he made a commitment for the year, but listen to this – he decided to do 1 minute of exercise every day for 366 days this year – yes, you’ve heard correctly, one minute. For him this equals to 30 squads and 10 push ups. As simple as that – it is doable right? And imagine you do that every day and you keep going for a whole year – simple, but powerful. The lesson for me? Make a small doable decision and sustain it.

James Clear indicates in his book “Atomic Habits” the compounding effect of a 1% increase every day.

“Improving by 1% isn’t particularly notable, sometimes it isn’t even noticeable, but it can be far more meaningful – especially in the long run.”

“If you can get 1% better each day for one year, you’ll end up 37 times better by the time you’re done.”

Let us leave the new year’s resolutions and rather make one small choice for the rest of the year. It is better to do something small for longer period, than to do something big short term right?

You can choose something within the following themes to make it easier:

Your well-being: to practically think about thing like sleep, exercise, diet, mindfulness practice?
Your work: if you specifically want to make a small decision about work?
Your core relationships: if you want focus on a specific person in your life and make a small decision there?

Choose one and make it simple. Do it either daily or weekly.

Ask yourself one good question every week or do a small practice every day? And connect this question or practice to an area for the whole year. Then think about the structure that will support this – set a reminder on your phone, specific time, place of the day?

Look out for Cal Newport’s book, Slow Productivity which will be released beginning of
March – it looks like a fascinating and practical read.

Until next month!
Andre

 

Ps: I’m commencing this monthly refection after a 2 year break – after releasing my book the
writing dried up a bit, but let’s get the conversation on soulfulness going again!

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