28/01/2025
I recently listened to a podcast from https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ and something the host said really stuck with me, āIf you want to make a change that lasts, it has to be rooted in something you care deeply about.ā
Whether itās improving your health, changing careers, or pursuing something meaningful, the idea of making āall or nothingā changes can feel overwhelming.
But what if sustainable change starts with something small?
For me, I've created a habit of smiling at people and making eye contact when Iām out and about. Itās a small shift but it helps me live out my value of connection.
It also reminds me that we never really know what someone else is going through. People might seem aloof or grumpy or they may just be lost in thought - that is something Iām definitely guilty of!
Iāve noticed that when I smile, most people smile back, creating a brief moment of positivity for both of us.
Take a client of mine ā James. He was feeling stuck, overwhelmed at work, stressed and disconnected from the person he wanted to be.
His values of autonomy and respect were being neglected. Through our work, he realised that to show up as his best self, he needed to prioritise his well-being.
We focused on small, sustainable changes:
š Taking a short daily walk, even on busy days.
š Setting aside 5ā10 minutes just to breathe, whenever he was feeling anxious or stressed
š Creating a time boundary around limiting work laptop use on weekends.
These might seem like small steps, but they aligned deeply with his value of autonomy and being in control of his wellbeing.
The podcast also touched on how perfectionism can hold us back. James struggled with this, too, often thinking, If I canāt do this perfectly, is it even worth it?
Sound familiar?
We reframed this mindset to focus on progress, not perfection.
We often believe we need to have everything figured out before starting but the truth is you donāt need to go big right away.
Instead ask yourself:
š What truly matters to me?
š What small step can I take today that aligns with that?
Maybe itās scheduling a daily walk, setting aside five minutes to breathe, or saying ānoā to something draining.
There is fascinating research that shows weāre more likely to stick to new habits if we:
š Start early in the day: Tackling that new habit before other priorities take over can make a huge difference.
šCelebrate every win: Even the tiniest wins deserve recognition. Whether you share it with a friend, jot it in a journal, or simply pause to acknowledge your effort, celebrating helps release dopamine - the brainās āfeel goodā chemical and reinforces the habit.
Lasting change doesnāt have to be massive. Itās not about running a marathon tomorrow; itās about putting your trainers on and going for a walk today.
Whatās one small step you can take toward meaningful and sustainable change?
Iād love to hear - whatās your one small step?