Just For Today
You can accomplish anything by breaking the larger goal down into smaller tasks. I like to call this chunking down. Imagine taking a large goal such as losing weight or getting in better shape and taking small chunks out of it to make it more manageable.
Let’s use an example of losing twenty pounds. Just thinking about this is overwhelming to most of us. However, if you take a small chunk out of this goal and focus on it, you can make it easier. An ancient Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Using this same principle, losing twenty pounds begins with losing the first pound.
Although this is not my area of expertise, there are many books on how to lose weight that you can find and use. However, I am an expert in achieving goals and I know that whenever I try to lose weight it is a combination of watching what I eat and making sure I get enough exercise.
To make losing twenty pounds a smaller, more manageable goal, try taking it one day at a time. Tell yourself that just for today you are going to watch what you eat by consuming more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates. Just for today, you will add some exercise to your routine and you will drink plenty of water.
Jean Sumner, my co-founder of World Wellness Education, shared this “just for today” principle with me several years ago and I now use it to help me achieve all of my goals.
When you break down your goals into smaller, daily tasks, it is easier to accomplish them. You are not thinking that you have to do these same things tomorrow or every day for the next four months. You are focusing only on the day ahead of you.
We can learn so much from each other’s stories and experiences. I hope you will share your comments below. What do you want to accomplish? What can you do just for today that will help move you closer to achieving this goal?
Comments (8)
Great article. I use this in all aspects of my life. Sometimes the biggest tasks look like mountains, but chunking it down works really well and before you know it you are at the end.
I am working my way into sale through my company. The amount of information is overwhelming. I use this type of step by step procedure to help me realize that though it may be a lot of information, I will eventually remember it and understand its inner workings. Good article, Good Idea.
Very true Gail. Even mountains can be scaled one step at a time.
Hi Russ, good luck with your sales position! Anything new can be stressful. However, I am sure that eventually each step will be easier overtime. It is like when you first learned to drive a stick shift. It was difficult figuring out how to operate three pedals smoothly with only two feet and keep the car from lurching or stalling and dying. Eventually, driving a stick shift became simple and did not require constant attention to what pedals were being depressed and with how much pressure.
Excellent article. Sometimes I use the "just for this week" approach to plan to tackle one major item that I have been putting off. Thanks for the reminder, Traci.
Great way to implement this Anne. I think I will try to practice this advice next week. Just for next week I will keep a clean desk all week long. :)
My most productive days r when I write the top 3-5 must do's today. When I finish those I can attempt to do even more
Great idea Fran. I am going to start doing this in addition. I can see how it will help keep me on track with what is most important.
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