The small change Approach: Wellness without the Overwhelm!

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

Vincent Van Gogh

Whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey, seeking to fine-tune your existing habits, or struggling to manage a chronic medical condition, understanding the power of slow, deliberate progress is the key to unlocking a healthier, happier you.

Maintaining a sense of well-being is an ongoing practice that requires paying attention to the whole person, recognizing when things feel out of balance, and making adjustments that enable you to be okay, regardless of the circumstances.

Since life happens to each of us one day at a time, it's only logical to adopt a strategy that works one day at a time. The small change approach does just that. So this week, here’s a refresher on why adopting the approach is essential for maintaining optimal well-being.

10 Reasons the small change Approach to “Be Well” works and why you should try it:

1.      It's as easy as ABC: Acknowledge the need to change; Believe you can do it; Commit to baby steps. Taking baby steps doesn't trigger the same resistance mechanisms that kick in when you make big commitments.

2.      It reduces procrastination and the pressure to be perfect. Procrastinators often feel imperfect and are afraid their flaws will be revealed, so they avoid embarrassment or humiliation by putting things off. Starting small keeps you in control.

3.      It lessens the chances of feeling like a failure. When you miss the mark with baby steps, it’s not as discouraging or embarrassing as missing the mark with big steps. With small steps, the risks are more manageable, and success feels easier to achieve.

4.      Completing small steps boosts self-confidence by releasing dopamine, which creates a pleasurable sensation and encourages you to take the next step.

5.      Taking small steps sets the stage to learn as you go. You see life as trial and error - each accomplishment becomes a building block to success, and each perceived failure is an opportunity to try something different.

6.     Through repetition, small steps lead to achieving long-term goals.

7.     It places your mind on solutions rather than problems. Starting small fits more easily into your daily routines. After a while, they begin to feel more like a natural addition to your day rather than a complete overhaul of your habits. Once small actions become automatic, you can gradually expand them to sustainable lifestyle changes.

8.      Scientific evidence supports the idea that taking small steps to improve health can yield substantial benefits over time.

9.      It requires only a small amount of your time – spending 30 minutes each day on wellness practices leaves you 1,410 minutes for all other activities.

10. The small change approach can be applied to any goal you aspire to achieve in life. Here are a few examples of how it keeps me well.

Nearly three decades ago, sparked by the deep pain of heartbreak and loss that settled around me like a dense fog, I embarked on a quest to rediscover some semblance of hope and reconnect with my inner joy. The search led me to a pocket-sized guide on cultivating gratitude through the creation of a daily gratitude list. As my list grew, one day and one small change at a time, the fog of depression began to lift.

What began as a simple gratitude list evolved into a journaling practice. I began experiencing an internal transformation akin to that of a caterpillar, sensing its delicate wings unfurl as it morphs into a butterfly. This metamorphosis sparked my childhood dream of becoming a writer. In 2005, I co-authored my first book with my son, Cameron, a sports performance coach and motivator.

In 2017, when my daughter Mia suffered a massive stroke, the small change approach enabled us to turn tragedy into triumph.

I am developing The small change Toolkit, one small change at a time!

I'm a small change caregiver; it helps prevent burnout!

I manage a chronic medical condition in a small change manner!

I utilize small change strategies as a wellness coach.

For the past thirty years, the small change approach has shaped my life’s journey. I’m now a small change butterfly soaring on the “Wings of Gratitude.”

So, what small changes have you successfully made to improve or maintain your well-being over the last six months?

What does 'balance' look like for you in the next six months? What small steps can you take to get you there?

Need a boost to put wings on your dreams to “BE Well?” Remember, it’s as easy as learning the ABCs, and I’m here to help. Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.

For more small change tips on how to “Be Well,” subscribe at: https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact.