Hey there —

Have you ever been so excited about the prospect of “ideal, future you” that you tried to tackle all the goals, all at once?

“I’m going to start meditating every day!!”“And train for a half-marathon!”“...which means I’ll have to start a new diet too, to fuel all that training…”“Oh, and the half-marathon is in China, so I’d better start learning Mandarin!”

It may seem like a good idea to implement all these changes in your life, as fast as possible. We get a little taste of self-improvement and crave more, more, more. 🤤

But ultimately, this all-or-nothing approach sets you up to fail.

Why? Because our brains can’t juggle that much change at once.

It’s the same reason we’re no good at multitasking. We can only really do one thing well at a time — any more is just too much cognitive load for our brains to handle.

In reality, the most effective way to build new habits is less like a fast food fix and more like a good ol’ Southern BBQ — start low-n-slow. 🍔

Here’s what this looks like:

🔍 Shrink the change: Start small. Like, really small. The smaller your intention, the higher the likelihood you’ll stick to it long enough for it to develop into a habit.

🚰 Pick domino habits: There are certain habits — like drinking more water or getting more sleep — that will have a positive ripple effect on every aspect of your life, from your work to your health and relationships. Start there.

⛓️ Create a chain reaction: Once you’ve successfully turned your desired behavior into a habit, you can use conditional logic to layer on another habit, i.e., after I do X, I will do Y.

It’s easy to let our impatience get the better of us when it comes to building habits.

But while building just one habit at a time might take longer, it’s a sustainable and repeatable process you can use to create the bigger tapestry of your ideal life.

How to find an exercise that you enjoy

by Marnie Kunz

Speaking of building habits…

If exercise is that habit you know you *should* prioritize, but you’ve been putting it off because it feels like a chore — or worse, a punishment — check out this article.

You’ll find tips for finding an exercise you can actually enjoy, and an important reminder that you’re allowed to listen to your body instead of chasing the latest fitness trends. 🤸

Read the article →

How to see the opportunity around you even when you feel defeated

by Brandy Mabra

Pursuing the life you want can be scary, especially with all the “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios your brain envisions. But even if you hit a bump in the road, a single setback (even a big one) doesn't have to define you or your future.

Business and leadership coach Brandy Mabra shares a vulnerable story of one of her most defeating moments — and the steps that helped her turn it into a life-changing opportunity.

Read the article →

Just Say No Decision Matrix

by The Assist

Tool

Overwhelmed by your workload? Asked to take on yet another task or project when your plate is already overflowing? 😰

This handy decision matrix from The Assist is here to help you…say no. 🙅

Match up your availability with the project’s level of importance for a handy template on how to clarify your priorities and politely (but firmly) pass.

Check it out →

Written by Emma Norris

Edited by Matt D'Avella & Kerstin Sheppard