How To Make A Start With A New Habit

So you want to start a new habit?

Me too!

I’ve been thinking (and talking!) about starting a new posture and overhead mobility plan I recently bought. It’s been staring at me for well over a month now. However, it’s quite BIG. There’s lots of exercises and it’s a 6-day a week programme. To be honest, it’s overwhelming me and I’ve been telling myself that if I don’t do it perfectly then it’s a waste of time doing it.

Which is absolute nonsense.

So yesterday I started. I just did the first exercise from the plan. It took me three minutes. My first emotion was relief - I’d begun!

The second, disbelief. Why did I wait so long to start?

The third, motivation. To do the second exercise, and then the third.

By the end of the day I’d completed about half of the stretches from the plan. I felt better, I felt a sense of accomplishment and the thought of doing the second part of the plan wasn’t overwhelming me anymore.

Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Three minutes is better than zero minutes.

So whatever it is you’re thinking about doing, think about the smallest possible step you could take toward it. Start small. Like really really small.

Meditation? Start with one minute.

Workout? Start with one set of 15 squats.

Eating healthily? Peel and eat one raw carrot.

You just made a step towards your goals. And that’s more than many, many people do.

Don’t get trapped in the contemplation or planning phase. Make a start, don’t worry about being perfect and take your first steps. The second and third steps are going to come much easier once you’re moving.