New Beginnings

Being the first of a new year, I am reminded of a post I wrote a year ago entitled The Power of a New Beginning. In it, I shared some research on the Fresh Start Effect, which motivates us to pause, get our bearings and create a starting point from which to enter the future with optimism. That’s why there are so many new year’s resolutions made. Our motivation is high and our resolutions are many.

More Resolutions

A year ago, we made some resolutions, set some goals and (re-)established some disciplines that we thought were good for us. But most of us found those great ideas lasted about a few weeks, as reported in Inc Magazine. Only a few weeks? We can do better.

So many of our resolutions are doable once we get started in their execution. The challenge is getting started. That’s why an easy first step is so important. If the first step is easy, we’ll begin. And if our commitment is only to your first step, we will likely follow through. After all, it’s easy. Here are some examples.

Examples

For instance, if I make a resolution to walk a mile every day, it will likely dissipate over the first few weeks, just like all the other resolutions I made. Instead, if my commitment is only to execute an easy first step, like putting my shoes and coat on and stepping outside, I’m at a choice point. Once I do that, I could walk back inside and put my coat away. But because I prepared to begin the walk, I am more likely to choose to follow through.

Many professionals are studying and preparing for their license or certifications and want to commit to studying x hours a day. Rather than looking at the mountain of studying, make the first easy step one where you commit to open your computer, log into the study program and scroll to where you left off. At that point, your choice is to either sign out of the software or continue with studying. But because you have already begun the commitment, you are more likely to follow through.

This is applicable with eating healthier. Your easy first step could be to drink a glass of water and wait five minutes instead of immediately eating something. You will find that often, your body is dehydrated, not malnourished.

Another example is working at home. It can be hard to get started in the morning. Your easy first step is to have a regimen where you get up, clean up, dress up, ready to work by a certain time. The choice point is to either crawl back in bed or begin your day, which you have already begun.

Keeping resolutions is never easy but developing the self-discipline to execute the first easy step makes everything a whole lot easier.

So, what is the first easy step for your resolution?