Have you ever felt the irresistible urge to change everything in your life all at once?
I have.
Many times.
And most of the time, I failed to change even one thing in my life.
Why?
I tried to change too much. Or, as I call it, I took on too many challenges at the same time.
So I came to this paradox: I can achieve more by focusing on less.
Let me explain.
Life often presents us with challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
We embark on new routines, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances, like illness, disrupt our progress. When we recover, the temptation arises to dive headfirst into all our neglected goals or embark on grand transformations.
This is a common scenario during New Year’s resolutions, the start of an academic year, or even on our birthdays when motivation peaks, causing us to overestimate our capacity for change.
The key to sustainable change lies in resisting the urge to tackle everything at once.
Instead, it’s more effective to focus on one small change, transforming it into a routine so ingrained that you don’t need to think about it.
It’s natural to want to exercise, fast, meditate, read, and start a new course simultaneously, but the real challenge is to prioritise.
For instance, if exercise is your top priority, achieving that becomes your daily goal.
While you can dabble in meditation or take a photography course, these should be secondary pursuits. Missing a day or two won’t derail your progress in these areas because they’re not your main focus.
I would advise starting with just one new habit, but if your enthusiasm leads you to juggle more, designate one as your primary focus while indulging in the others at your discretion.
A Medium article I stumbled upon elaborates on this concept — why it’s beneficial to change one habit at a time.
Why You Should Only Try to Change One Habit at a Time
A few days ago somebody wrote a comment on one of my articles here on medium saying they planned to implement all my…medium.com
The author emphasises the importance of narrowing the gap between your current self and your ideal self by setting achievable resolutions. Start with the most minimal habit, the initial step, and make it a routine. Gradually increase its intensity. This is the path to life-changing transformation.
Reddit provides another insightful perspective, discussing the concept of the “normality line.”
Every habit eventually becomes a part of your daily life, but each new habit introduces resistance. Combining multiple habits multiplies the resistance and makes it harder to stay on track. The key is to focus on one habit until it seamlessly integrates into your daily routine.
James Clear, the author of “Atomic Habits,” echoes these sentiments in his blog.
5 Common Mistakes That Cause New Habits to Fail
Between 81 percent and 92 percent of New Year’s Resolutions fail. Why do new habits fail? And what can we do to make…jamesclear.com
He advises concentrating on one habit at a time until it becomes a part of your lifestyle. When in doubt, choose a keystone habit — one that naturally influences other aspects of your life. For instance, regular exercise not only increases your energy but also promotes better eating and sleeping habits.
In summary, trying to stuff various goals into one ambitious plan often leads to burnout and a lack of permanent change. Achieving transformation is a challenge in itself; there’s no need to make it even harder by taking on too much. Establish a priority and concentrate on one thing.
By doing so, you’ll set yourself up for sustainable change and a more successful journey of self-improvement.
I hope you get the change you seek! Take on your next challenge — but only one!