Top Time Tips #86
Small steps are the secret to long-term success

January 31st 2007

A few weeks ago, as I tried to pretend that the spare Christmas bulge (or two) I could see in the mirror was an illusion, I found myself thinking, ‘This weight thing is ridiculous. Year after year I eat about the same amount and weigh about the same. If I could only ‘magic wand' those extra kilos, I'd be right.' (You can just about hear the crack of the self-flagellating whip, can't you!)

Well, at last I've done something about it - picked up the phone to get the nearest Weight Watchers classes. (Yes, I can procrastinate with the best of you. This good idea has been nagging for the last two years!)

The shift for me was twofold. Firstly, the frustration levels with my weight finally became high enough to intrude on my conscious mind. Secondly, I forced myself to chunk down to one tiny starting action – that phone call.

As I've been learning about Weight Watchers' support systems and observing my own progress, I've realised that there is a business application here! The same basic processes apply to anyone struggling with a bad habit, including messy desks, being late for meetings, sloppy delegation practice . . . , anything.

The process is fascinating, and in comparison with so many of the ‘start by depriving yourself' things I've tried over the years, it's easy and enjoyable. I'm also making slow and steady progress, which is exactly what they encourage.

You might like to consider how the following principles can apply in any area of improvement you're currently working on – personal or business.

1. Be realistic about your goals, and celebrate success at each step

Weight Watchers get you to immediately set two goals - your long-term goal weight within the correct range for your height, and an interim 10% reduction on your starting weight. There's a further mini-goal thrown in - gold stars for every 5 kilo reduction. I'm amazed how motivated I am to get that first gold star!

Perhaps you've got a long-term goal to always work in a tidy office, with only one task at your fingertips at any time. The intermediate objective could be to leave it tidy every night, with no ugly piles left lurking. The short-term and much more immediate goal could be as simple as doing a complete sort-out and getting it set up for efficiency.

2. Immediate action to create momentum

Weight Watchers give you plenty of educational support materials including simple Quick Start menu plans. They also urge you to immediately clear the unhealthy food items from your pantry, fridge and freezer and then shop for the healthy replacements.

In business, perhaps staff complain of lack of time. The immediate action might be to book an in-house training programme. Or, following the efficient office example, maybe you'll organise a company-wide ‘Clean up the Office Day'.

3. Have a system to manage the process and keep you on track

We're given a simple and easy little log book to visually record the range of food group (don't most of us like getting ticks?), the point value of what you eat (that's a fascinating journey of exploration!), how much water goes down the hatch, and how much exercise you've done. (I'm really enjoying walking everywhere I can and using public transport where possible instead of jumping in a car to drive a few blocks).

They also have weekly weigh-ins and non-judgemental support. Good intentions alone can only go so far, sometimes only to the next alluring bar of chocolate or seductive-smelling meat pie! I don't know about you, but when I have to face up to the same people week after week I don't want to go backwards. A girl has her pride! (You're given your results quietly – everyone's weight is their own private affair.)

A business parallel could be to hire a coach. When we're paying good money we're much more likely to keep on track. Magic happens when we're answerable to someone else.

4. Small steady improvements are much more likely to be permanent

Small health steps are not only more realistic, but also better for our health than a rapid reduction. My understanding is that weight taken off too quickly sends the wrong message to our brain, which says, ‘Heck, there's a famine coming. I'd better save up that fat.' So, we're back to the old hare and the tortoise fable – slow and steady really does win the race!

Also, by building new and improved habits over a period of many months we integrate at a much more profound and permanent level. After all, most of our habits (good or bad) have consolidated over many years.

Good business habits worth working on might include only reviewing email at set times of the day rather than letting it drive your whole day's priorities; being on time for meetings instead of holding up your colleagues time after time; putting things away the very next time you stand up instead of sinking below an avalanche of ‘stuff'; saving social chats until break times rather than pleasant but time-wasting chatter in corridors, distracting the unfortunate open-plan workers nearby.

With anything we want to improve, the trick is to catch ourselves doing it right. Even a tiny improvement creates momentum. By anchoring those positive feelings of success we build a stronger platform for continued progress.

Whatever We Focus On Enlarges.

Instead of focusing on what hasn't been achieved, focus on what you've done well. Hold tight to a mental picture of your end result.

Good luck with your habits for improvement. We're in this together!

Ph. + 64 3 351 2140 http://www.gettingagrip.com

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