Small Steps to Change and Create Success

Mark and Davene have been talking about progressions this whole course.

As we have been going along they reveal more and more about the plan behind the steps we are taking.  Everything builds upon the steps that came before.  They were small steps so that we could feel success along the way and build our confidence.

This all ties into a book I am currently reading and it just reinforces what I have learned so far.

This author even quotes Jon Wooden

“When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur.  When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning.  Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made.  Don’t look for the big, quick improvement.  Seek the small improvement one day at a time.  That’s the only way it happens – and when it happens, it lasts.”

Many people feel that in order to make a change it has to be a big change, like innovation.  What I am learning indicates that this is not true.  I think a lot of people want all of the cement knocked off of the golden Buddha all at once instead of chipping away at it.  They want their blueprint changed all at once.

The problem with this is that because the steps are so big most people don’t succeed and then they get discouraged and feel guilty for not accomplishing their goal.  This is similar to New Year’s resolutions. What happens?  Most of them are by the wayside and not accomplished.

Robert Maurer states that a large goal leads to fear which then causes a restriction in the cortex and this brings about failure.  What he suggests is that with a small goal the fear is bypassed and the cortex is engaged and this leads to success.

As you take small steps

“your cortex starts working, the brain begins to create “software” for your desired change, actually laying down new nerve pathways and building new habits.  Soon, your resistance to change begins to weaken.  Where once you might have been daunted by change, your new mental software will have you moving toward your ultimate goal at a pace that may well exceed your expectations.”  

To me, this sounds like changing your blueprint. All of the small steps like gratitude cards, kindness, service, reading, the sit all build up to begin the change to our “software”.

Hummm…  this is all sounding very familiar.  Thoughts that fire together wire together.

I am really enjoying this book especially seeing how it ties together with what I am learning.  Click on the image if you would like to get a copy.