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Trying to reach a goal, get organized, be successful, improve relationships or get healthy, but feeling frustrated? Our goals, projects, can appear so daunting, so unreachable. The end result seems so far away; we’re never going to get there.
This simple strategy can help anyone.
Go for the quick result, the small victory.
What does that mean exactly? A quick result is a doable action that gives you tangible results quickly. Picture a mini-goal, a small portion of a larger undertaking. It can be anything as long as it moves you toward your goals.
Some examples:
Your house is a mess – straighten and purge one closet, clean one small area or wash the windows so you can see a visible result.
Trying to get more organized – make a master list of everything you need to do, eliminate one or two piles, clear off your desk or the kitchen counter, go through old mail or clear out your email inbox.
Want to be more successful – contact one person who can help you with your project, complete one small portion, spruce up your resume, set up a LinkedIn profile.
Longing to write a book, but can’t get started – Forget about the finished manuscript; write one chapter or just create an outline.
Trying to get healthier or more fit – Don’t go on a severe diet or try to run a race out of the starting gate; plan your meals for the week so you can avoid take-out, sign up for an exercise class that interests you (and actually go,) concentrate on losing 5 pounds, or being able to run 2 miles, whatever is doable for you and that you can achieve in a short period of time.
Remember the saying. life is a marathon, not a sprint. That is also true of achieving goals and making significant changes in your life.
To give you a real life example that we can all understand; my mother struggled with her weight her entire life, fad diets, exercise attempts to no avail. One day she had a revelation; this life change could not be achieved overnight. Small steps were the answer. First step, join Weight Watchers and establish accountability. Second step, eat more vegetables, lose 5 pounds, again and again and again. Third step, walk around the block every day. This was a small victory for a 60+ woman who had never been physically active. Then walk a mile, then two, then three.
The process, small victory after small victory after small victory. 18 months later, a large victory, over 100 pounds lost, the elimination of nearly all medications, a new wardrobe and a clean bill of health.
Another example, a young woman longing to write a book. A wife, a mother, a career, too busy, no time. She decides to write an hour at a time while her children are at swimming lessons. One chapter at a time, week after week after week, small victories. The end result, The unbelievably successful Twilight Series. A string of bestselling books and movies that have grossed more than 2 billion dollars.
One small victory at a time… Imagine what you can do.
What project are you struggling to finish? What goal seems unreachable?
What small victory could you manage?
Your guide to living well in every area of life. Freelance writer, Life Fulfillment Guide, Idea Curator, Life balance mentor, Productivity junkie, Book Addict. 
