Gradually is defined as “by small degrees or little by little” and it’s the most effective way to pursue any size goal or task.
Let me give you an example.
My stepdaughter is training to run a half marathon. (She’s completed several in the past). But’s it’s been a while so she knew training would be necessary.
She didn’t go out the first day and run the full 13.1 miles. That’s a good way to risk injury but also discouragement.
Instead she created a running schedule that will gradually build her endurance. On the day of the marathon her body can complete the full 13.1 miles because it’s gradually been conditioned to do so.
Whatever your goal is, marathon running, paying off debt, losing ten pounds or just organizing your house is overwhelming when you try to do it all at once.
The easiest and quickest way to get discouraged is to try make massive changes all at once. You couldn’t completely remodel a house in one da so don’t feel pressured to try and remodel your life one day.
But little by little, with consistent action over time, one mile becomes four which becomes eight when then becomes thirteen. One pound becomes three and then ten, one cabinet becomes two drawers which becomes three closets which becomes an entire home. You get the picture.
We live in an all or nothing society. We want it all and we want it yesterday. And that mentality keeps us from getting what we truly desire.
Simply stated – we want microwave results on crockpot goals. We want success at the snap of our fingers.
When I decided to adopt a healthy lifestyle I had to understand I didn’t gain the extra 20 pounds overnight so l couldn’t expect to lose it overnight.
Pursuing any goal gradually takes a ton of pressure off and keeps discouragement and disgust at bay.
I don’t know what your goal is but I do know the easiest way to see it to completion is by taking small steps taken over time until gradually the goal is achieved.
Whatever life changes you want to make try making them gradually so they’ll stick and become a part of who you are. You got this!
Sandra
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