Hello to all my wonderful readers,
This is Wintress Patrice, your certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Life Coach and the founder of IAWP Life Coaching, LLC. Today, I want to discuss a topic that is of particular importance and relevance to each and every one of us – procrastination, and its subtle adversary, starting small today.
We’ve all been there – we have a goal or a task, and we think, “I’ll start tomorrow.” That magical “tomorrow” seems like the perfect time to start a new diet, begin a new workout routine, apply for that dream job, or finally start writing that novel that’s been brewing in our minds. But then tomorrow comes, and we find a reason to push it off to the next day… and then the next. Before we know it, weeks or months have passed and we’ve made no progress towards our goals.
This form of procrastination is more common than you might think. We’re so used to thinking about the big picture, the final product, that we forget that any accomplishment is simply the result of numerous small steps taken over time. We’re so focused on reaching the top of the mountain that we overlook the importance of taking that first step.
Here’s the thing – perfection is not the enemy of progress, procrastination is. The “perfect time” rarely comes, and if we keep waiting for it, we’ll end up doing nothing.
Now, imagine if we chose to shift this mindset, to seize the moment and start today. Start small, but start today.
In NLP, we talk about “chunking down” tasks – breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. By doing this, we can reduce the overwhelming nature of big goals and make it much more feasible to start today. We can bypass that paralyzing fear that so often keeps us rooted in place, unable to take that first step.
Let’s say you want to write a book. The thought of writing hundreds of pages can be daunting. But what if, instead of seeing it as a colossal task, you decide to write just one page a day? Or even just one paragraph? It’s a small step, but it’s a step nonetheless. And over time, those small steps add up to big strides.
Or perhaps you’re aiming to switch to a healthier lifestyle. Instead of waiting for Monday or the first of the month to start a complete overhaul of your diet, what if you started today by swapping out one unhealthy snack with a healthier alternative? Or by adding just 10 minutes of exercise to your day?
By reframing your approach and starting small today, you’re not only making your goal more achievable, but you’re also building momentum. Each small step taken is a win, a boost of motivation that propels you forward. And every day you stick to it, you’re forming new habits and rewriting old patterns, bringing you closer to your ultimate goal.
So stop lying to yourself about not having enough time. Time is not the issue, it’s how you choose to spend it. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, but you do have today. And it’s within your power to make today count.
You don’t have to make drastic changes all at once, and you don’t have to have it all figured out from the start. Simply begin. Begin where you are, with what you have. Break your goals into smaller tasks and take that first step. The journey may seem long, but every journey begins with a single step.
Life waits for no one, and every moment wasted is a moment we can’t get back. So don’t wait until tomorrow – start small, but start today. Remember, your future self is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.
As your life coach, I encourage you to embrace the present, seize the day and start working towards your goals, no matter how small the first step may seem.
With Love & Light,
Wintress Patrice
Your Certified NLP Life Coach, oxox
