Starting Small-Go Long

How often do we start something and never finish? Why is that?

Often, we fail to follow through because we bite off more than we can chew. We initially engage with an unsustainable passion that eventually ebbs to a whimper of it's initial self. And when the embers of this initial passion fade into that soft red glow, we feel inadequate, frustrated, an incapable. Our self esteem takes a hit.

When we start a new endeavor I believe it is important to start small and to start with along term perspective.

Why start small? I don't suggest this because my ambition is low, but rather because a small first step ensures we will take the subsequent steps to complete the journey. As I started running, what made the difference was being OK with taking baby steps at first. Had I attempted to run three miles my first day out of the gates I can assure you I would have given up on my goal to run a 5K in a week. Instead, I started walking for five minutes and running just one minute. I did this for 30 minutes three times a week to start.

Why maintain a long term perspective? True growth happens over time. It is true for all life. Growth and development are long term commitments. Effective change is not delivered in a box, nor does it happen overnight. I've honed my running ability and my endurance through a long term commitment. Yes, I began only running one minute at a time, but tonight, I ran 2 miles in about 23 minutes....all because I have been at it for 8 months or so.

When we endeavor to incorporate spiritual disciplines in our live, I think it is important to take this "start small" and "long term" approach. If we can sustain baby steps over a long period of time, rather than attempting a sea change in our lives overnight, the journey will be more joyful, the fruit will be more abundant, and the change in us will be dramatic.

Start small. Go long.


-- Post From My iPad