How To DO Less and Accomplish MORE

Your day is probably jam-packed with things you are wanting to do. You have your goals list and you are determined to cross them off. Get them done. The only thing is, the more you try to do, the more you seem to fall behind. The busier you get, the less you get done. Ever had one of those days? How about one of those months? Or even one of those years?

Have you been trying to write a book, run a business on the side, or get your business that you started a year ago to profitability? You might be thinking right now, “You’re not even close, I need to change my whole life.” Let’s just take that one thing, for example. You want to change your life.

Choose One Thing

The problem with wanting to change your life is that there is usually so much to change. Most people want to change everything at once. I asked one of my clients recently, “What is it that you would like to change in your life?”

I got a long list. She said, “I want to have more energy. I want get more sleep. I want to lose ten pounds. I want to get more clients. I want to make more money. I want to simplify my life. I want to be nicer to my kids. I want to exercise more. I want to…” I let her go on. But you get the idea. There was so much to do, she didn’t know where to start.

So, I asked, “If you could do just one of those things, what would it be?”

“I would get more exercise”, she said, “I feel so much better when I exercise regularly.”

Start With Something

I said, “Great. Let’s start with that.” I asked her to commit to when, where, and how she would exercise every week. After much internal negotiation, she came up with a plan. She would exercise three times each week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. She would get up half an hour earlier each morning so that she could do this. It was Spring, so she would go for a walk in her neighborhood.

Now the crucial question, “When will you start?” She tried to extend the start time to two weeks from our conversation, but I reminded her that she had said that she wanted this, “very badly”, so why not start this week? Tomorrow?

“Yes. Why not tomorrow?” she said, “I’ll do it.”

That seems too simple

What has doing exercise three times a week got to do with changing your life? That seems too simple. Can it actually be that simple? I might remind you that the great scientist, Albert Einstein said, “Everything should be as simple as possible, but no simpler.” I go back to this quote every time my life gets overly busy and complicated because I usually find this is the time I need to stop, give myself space to think, and find ways to simplify.

Follow The Science

It turns out that there is a good reason to do one thing at a time. It sets us up for success in accomplishing all the other goals we have on our list. When we start with one thing and get into a routine, or as Anthony Robbins calls it a “ritual”, it is more likely that we will follow through, develop a new habit, and reach our goal. Additionally, the more we practice this new habit, the more likely it will become a part of our unconscious behavior.

That is just what happened, after a month of doing this, Adrian said, “When I don’t exercise, I feel like I have missed the most important part of my day, and I get right back to it.”

Some people require less than thirty days to set a pattern and some require more, but the science is clear, when we do something often it becomes a new habit. Is that you want? Do you want to set new habits that help you change your life?

“The Domino Effect”

Here is what happens with all those other goals you want to accomplish? When you start doing one thing. The one thing that means the most to you right now, this minute. Get into a routine. Form a habit. You will find that you have started what Brian Tracy calls, “The Domino Effect”. Knocking down that first goal starts knocking down all the other goals. Do you think that’s a good reason to start your one thing, today? I find that it is even simpler if we commit to shorter periods of time.

Anyone can do something for 7 days. So, if this serves you, commit to doing your one thing for seven days. At the end of the seven days, commit to another seven days. And so on

Celebrate

At the end of the seven days, celebrate your win. This is a big accomplishment. You went from being overwhelmed. Not knowing what to do. To choosing a goal and sticking with it. This deserves a reward. Choose a reward. Just don’t let it be ice cream, if your goal was to lose five pounds.

If you are having trouble coming up with a reward, ask a friend. I know you have a friend that can help you out with this.

Try This

Sit down with your pen and a notepad now, and make a list of all the things you want to do.

Review the list and circle one thing. Now, decide to start. Write down, how you will start, where you will start, and when you will start. Decide how long you will do this – seven days, thirty days, ninety. Set a date. Start.

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Let us know what you think in the comments!

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About Faith

My name is Faith Evan West. I am a coach, a blogger, a speaker, and a writer. Throughout my career, I have experienced the rewards of helping individuals overcome obstacles and develop the confidence to reach their big goals – and I can’t wait to help you achieve yours.

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