When it comes to mixing things up, making changes, and shifting gears (a big topic for a new year), we're all about big disruptions. Making radical changes in how we do things mirrors the full-throttle, just-do-it approach fueling social media and supporting influencer culture. January always brings all sorts of "Go big or go home" messaging as we rethink our habits.
We've all read fantastic tales and seen dreamy images of super-successful professionals who ditched six-figure salaries and all their belongings to raise hummingbirds in Costa Rica or the now mega-shredded model who woke up one day and, instead of going to the office, dedicated their life to fitness (and starts each day with this smoothie made from clay and algae!).
These stories are inspiring, and while going all-in might work in some situations, this approach can leave us sidelined with feelings of insufficiency or, after a tricky start, hobbled by thinking we'll never be able to (insert dream here) unless we take the biggest step possible. The truth is, if we stop to consider where we're at and where we're trying to go, we may find we're already on the road to making the changes we want. Imagine!
Turning small ideas into big actions requires us to readjust our thinking about our first step, make a realistic plan for taking it, and then get out of our own way.
We're constantly told what to do. Things like being more fit, having a better job, getting smarter, making more money, etc. There's certainly a ton of great advice from amazing people about how to chase these unicorns, but none of it matters unless WE actually WANT a unicorn. Perhaps looking like a cover model would be stellar, but are we really committed to that? The key is to drill down into what really matters to US and start there. There's no hope in chasing someone else's dream; we must move toward what we want, and that's where we find real fuel.
After identifying a destination we care about, it's time to look for ways we're already moving in that direction. For instance, if we want to be more physically active but know we'll never go to a gym, we can look at how we're already active. Walk the dog every day? Perfect! Now, make the walk a little longer, adding distance each week. What about including a walk at lunch? As we know, an object in motion tends to stay in motion; we harness the energy we've already developed by figuring out where we have momentum and hitching our wagon to those ponies. Just look at us go!
We identified a goal, figured out how we're already kind of doing it, and took action to stay headed in that direction. Now, we can enjoy our success and find sustainable ways to keep the ball rolling. It turns out that working with a group or partner is a proven way to help maintain focus (partnering up is a regular practice in Adventure Education classes). Enjoyment is key, too; while this quest will take perseverance, we're more likely to persist at things we enjoy. The point is to keep after it and continue our efforts without succumbing to the noise threatening our beginnings.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Lasting change often happens slowly, and if we look closely enough, we might find inspiration in knowing we're already moving toward the transformations we desire. The key is to find directions we care about, establish how we're aligned with these shifts, and then keep going. You got this!
Shostak is a senior lecturer of adventure education at 麻豆免费高清无砖码区with expertise in mindfulness, leadership, risk management, expedition design, and delivery, as well as tons of experience leading others in finding the inter- and intrapersonal benefits of exploring wild spaces.