All behavioral scientists and habits-building experts agree - if you are serious about long-lasting change - starting small is essential.
And yet again, and again and again most January resolutions start with crazy promises to start doing some intense routine from Monday for days and days ahead.
Like, “I’m gonna work out 7 days a week for an hour starting next Monday”, having no consistent exercise practice for years.
Or, “I’m gonna eat only healthy meals 365/year and no refined sugars or go keto starting next Monday”, having no consistent good eating practice for years.
Or, “I’m gonna wake up at 5 AM every morning this year to work on my side gig”, having failed to wake up at that time for all the days all the years before.
Shouldn’t we get by now that it’s not a working strategy?
Here’s why crazy resolutions don’t work and why you should always start small.
Like, “I’m gonna work out 2 times per week with weights and go for a 20-minute walk after dinner 3 days a week for the next 2 months”
Or, “I’m gonna eat 1 serving of fruit and vegetables with every meal and only one snack/dessert each day for the month of January”
Or, “I’m gonna wake up 30 minutes earlier each day to work on my side gig for the month of January 5 days a week”
1. START SMALL FOR DAILY WINS AND HIGH DOPAMINE
If you start small, start that small that winning is a guarantee - you will get a dopamine release every day.
Dopamine is released when we get a reward.
Winning via succeeding in doing what we plan gives us a psychological reward.
When dopamine is getting a boost every day - your motivation and energy continue to increase every day as well. And that's what makes you want to keep going!
Simple!
