Live your dream, one small change at a time!

"Getting from point A to point Z can be daunting unless you remember that you don't have to get from A to Z. You just have to get from A to B. Breaking big dreams into small steps is the way to move forward."                Sheryl Sandberg

 Gratitude practice leads to self-discovery. It helped me recognize a few things I didn’t see in myself before embarking on the evolutional journey over twenty-eight years ago. Things like discovering that my brain is wired to accomplish goals by breaking them into small, manageable steps. In short, I’m a small change kind of person.

 Long before I heard of the systematic approach to achieving goals, I did things the small change way and I know why: I was born a detail-oriented, organized, and analytical person. I naturally identify and follow small steps to solve problems.

 My mother worked outside the home, so as a teenager, I babysat my seven younger siblings, did laundry, and kept the house clean when she was away. I managed by calling tasks “activities” (a fun way to get buy-in) and assigning them appropriately. To hold us accountable, I posted a list of activities on the refrigerator and celebrated small victories. My goal was to have everything in order when Mama returned. I achieved that goal the small change way about 90% of the time.

 When I decided to become a nurse and enrolled in college for the first time, I was married and had a son and daughter. The program was highly competitive and demanded above-average grades, however I knew attending study groups and cram sessions wouldn’t work for me so I intuitively broke learning into four steps: 1) find a quiet place to study for two hours a day, which was at my dining room table at 4:00 a.m.; 2) Read the assigned material to get an overview; 3) Reread the material and highlight key points; 4) Reread the material and write out key points.

I aced Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Pharmacology exams (subjects that caused many students to exit the program), not because I was a genius, but because my small change learning technique was effective: repetitive reading made the correct answers easier to recognize. I applied the method to every class in undergraduate and graduate school.

 I worked in nursing until I found my true calling - managing a community health education and disease prevention project in my hometown. With no training or experience, my small change approach guided me through six rewarding years of service and prepared me for my next assignment.

 The Young, Educated, and Healthy (YEAH) Afterschool Program was the project's most memorable accomplishment, offering tutoring, crafts, health education, physical fitness, summer employment, and educational field trips, including a visit to the nation's capital. It enhanced overall development, planted seeds of hope, and inspired dreams for hundreds of youth, one step at a time.

When my daughter, Mia, a nurse and avid crocheter, had a massive stroke eight years ago, I used small change principles to teach her to read and write again. A few months later, she made her first gratitude list and is now journaling and thriving in ways she never expected. Despite permanent disabilities, Mia learned to crochet again with her non-dominant left hand and knee, thanks to consistent small steps.

 We often take big steps when working toward goals, thinking they will bring about rapid change and immediate success. But in reality, taking big steps and missing our mark can cause us to abandon our dreams, whereas small, incremental steps prove far more effective, sustainable, and transformative. Here’s why:

 ·       Small steps feel more manageable.

·         Small steps focus on one specific action at a time, thereby improving the quality of your work.

·         Small steps enable you to make adjustments along the way.

·         Small steps allow time to reflect and learn as you go.

·         Small steps boost confidence by allowing you to celebrate small victories

·         Small steps reduce the risk of failure and build resilience by helping you recognize when an activity isn't working.

·         Small steps make it easier to regroup, rather than feel like you've failed at the entire goal.

While grand gestures such as purchasing a gym membership, trying a new fad diet, or participating in a 5K run can be motivating, the little things you do daily move you closer to living your dreams!

Need help pursuing your dreams? Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com. Read my blog at https://www.myrtlerussell.com/blog, or have it delivered to your email box by subscribing at https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact. 

Be Grateful, Be Well, one small change at a time!