Progress trumps completion

I love listening to podcasts. Driving the kids around, making dinner, in the shower, in the garden, I listen when I can. A big part of my wholeness is gaining more understanding and information so I can better serve others.

There is one I just listened to this past Sunday that has me really inspired. It’s a must share too because Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s simplifies one major stumbling block I see so many clients struggle with. Getting the motivation to tackle a goal or rather to make a habit that will increase our body, mind and heart health. The underlying message to his recommendations is to simply the task/goal, cut it into a smaller, more easy and achievable mini-bites. When something isn’t nearly as intimidating, we can accomplish it.

Say you Dr recommends you increase your exercise to avoid heart disease. That's kinda daunting right? Where do you start? 45 mins at the gym, 1 mile run, find a workout class... those can seem super overwhelming. What about just 5 mins a day attached to a habit you are already doing? Like making your morning coffee. While its brewing walk in place for 1 minute, do arm circles for 1 min, then a min of air squats or lunges, 1 min of counter pushups and 1 min of walking again. BOM!!!! If you do that everyday that equals 25 mins a week! think of the impact this one little shift in daily habit could make. Studies show that participants that continue this habit of 5 mins a day gradually increase their activity overtime to which dramatically increases overall health.

I do this to myself to, I over analyze and make the mountain so much bigger than the 1st step. Taking that first step can feel like a mountain unless we reduce it to a size our legs can manage. But you know what, that step leads to another, and another until heck look at this your half way up!

It’s not just stress that prevents us, I believe the biggest obstacle we encounter is that we want results and we want them FAST. But that's not reality. Good things come to those who are patient and dedicated. I blame DVD's because it seemed to start around that time frame. Remember “Be kind Rewind?“ Anyone? Anyway, we used to have to wait for everything. Our favorite show, a meal, calling your relative, gosh information had to be looked up in the library! There were no computers. We as a human race have become so spoiled by our luxuries!! And in this angst we've forgotten that things take time. Plants grow over a season, babies over years, careers can take a 5. With many things there is no completion, only progress. So let's start and make some, just a little will do. Everyday.

Check out Dr Chatterjee’s Website for more about his “Feel Better in 5” tips. Here is an excert

Feel Better in 5 is a program that doesn’t force you to bend your life around its demands.  It bends around your life.

Top tips, tricks and lifestyle tweaks from the book include:

  • A strength workout that you can do anywhere

  • Gut-boosting snacks you can eat on the go

  • Yoga moves to relax and stay supple

  • Breathing exercises to calm the mind

WellnessMarion Horanhabit, mindfulness, health tips, progresasComment