Starting Small

It’s the beginning of a new year…the time when many of us think of changes we want to make…big changes.

We start out strong, energetic, and ready to make things happen.

And then it gets harder. We get sick. Tired. The unexpected happens and throws us off course. We’re so busy that we don’t have the time or energy to figure out how to do things differently.

And we feel like giving up.

Before throwing in the towel, I invite you to back up for a moment and start again. But this time, start small.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10 NLT

I’m learning to set smaller goals to work toward with shorter time frames. It lets me see the small steps leading to change and it gives me more chances for accomplishment…which encourages me to keep going.

Around the house, I include easy things on my to-do list that won’t take long just so I can check them off. I like the visual of working through my list.

I also make adjustments. If I tackle a project that was not on my list, I add it—and check it off. Sounds silly, I know. But seeing that I’m getting nowhere on my list, no matter how busy I’ve been, is discouraging.

Setting small goals can be applied to making life changes. It’s not settling for less, but instead taking steps and making progress toward those changes.

Author and speaker Holley Gerth writes…

“…a small goal that actually happens and can grow is better than the grandest one that remains a fantasy.” (from The “Do What You Can” Plan…21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better)

Small goals fit into our everyday lives and ease us through the transition of change. They give us time to adjust without being overwhelmed.

When my daughter was born, my plan of being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t financially possible right away. I went from full-time to part-time, allowing us to get used to less income. It also gave me time to adjust personally. I’d always worked outside of the home, so being home 24/7 was a huge leap for me, mentally and physically. Taking steps through the transition kept me from being completely overwhelmed.

What goals or changes are you hoping to accomplish this year?

Let me encourage you…don’t be afraid to start small. Small is good.

A few resources for the new year:

The “Do What You Can” Plan…21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better by Holley Gerth

Research shows it takes 21 days to form new habits. Let Holley encourage you through 21 days of taking small steps to new changes.

Finally Free by Kim Tabor

Start your year with a 6-week online Bible study. There are no meetings to attend, and only one chapter to read per week.

One Word 2013

Join me and a community of others in ditching the list of resolutions, focusing, instead, on one word for the year.