When I try to take on too much at once, I fail. No matter how much I might want to move forward and solve a problem, it’s not always possible to make major leaps and bounds. If I want to run a marathon, I don’t get up and run 26.2 miles. I need to train for months. If I want to write a book, it takes me months to do so.

And if I want to change dysfunctional behaviors (be sure to check out the Adult Children of Alcoholics Anonymous laundry list—such as reacting rather than acting in a crisis), I need to take baby steps.

I recently came across a good YouTube video that talks about making small changes and focusing on other aspects rather than pure willpower to make a change in your life.

When we push too hard and take on too much, we become overwhelmed and lose hope.

The good news is that there are other ways to embrace change and incorporate positive habits into our daily lives. One way to do that is to focus on making continuous improvements in our lives. James Clear gives a breakdown of how to make small improvements each day and how those incremental changes add up over time.

When we focus on the small changes that we can make in our lives today, those building blocks help us to grow over time.

One of the examples that James Clear gives is about weight loss. Instead of going on a strict diet, we can make small incremental changes to focus on eating healthier and to focus on less calorie intake. The same type of logic can be used in our day-to-day lives. We don’t have to start a journal, go to a therapist, exercise each day, meditate, and attend Adult Children of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings all at once.

Start small.

If you could make one small change today to help you build a better tomorrow, what would it be?

Do you and your spouse get into the same type of arguments time after time? How can you learn different communication styles to change how you respond to those arguments? Maybe spending 5 minutes each morning on affirmations will help you. Or maybe you would prefer to write in a journal each day.

The choice is yours and the good news is that small changes can grow into big ones over time.

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.