Crypto-Effectology  

Virtually everything you do can be broken down into small component parts or steps. Some are linear: do step 1, then do step 2, and finally do step 3. Some are non-linear: do this (call it step 1), then do something else (maybe it is the third or fourth step or piece of the process described). The order or process is not what matters. It is the doing. The challenge is to continue "the doing" in the face of failures and frustrations, or maybe just a task that overall seems insurmountable (there are how many steps to this!?).

One simple thing you can do to motivate yourself is to celebrate every success. If you are trying to lose weight and you lose a pound, pump your fist, get a high five! Celebrate the loss of that silly pound (just don't eat a Dairy Queen Sundae to celebrate! There are limits after all). It doesn't matter how small or large the success is, the fact of the matter is it is a success - it is progress.

Is this contradicting what I have said about "positive thinking"? No. I don't want you to imagine a success and celebrate it, have a success and celebrate it. There is an old adage: "Success breeds success." You can't breed more successes unless you recognize something as a success in the first place.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go celebrate writing another blog entry!


23 February, 2010 | mtomsho

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