Small Steps Count

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The next 9 weeks can set me up for success for the next 52. I thought about this while speaking with my family about an upcoming health challenge. I wrote about the challenge and podcasted about it. Then I discovered my family's schedule needed to be simplified. I contacted friends who signed up, returned their registration money, and explained that I couldn't commit to leading the challenge at this time. Because my sister, cousin, and brother were interested in the challenge, we decided to go on. 

Our goal is to improve our health through small steps. 

I visualized the four of us reaching our goals. I thought, if we do well these last 9 weeks of the year, we will be healthier and fitter in January. We won't have to start over. We will not have to celebrate Quitters Day (the second Friday in January) with 80% of Americans who abandon their New Year's goals. 

There is power in taking small steps. I invite you to think, "what is the smallest step I can take for 9 weeks that will lead me to my desired result?" Be sure the step you choose is small but specific. Goals such as "I want to be healthier" is neither small nor specific. But a goal such as "I will take a neighborhood walk 3 days a week for 30 minutes" is specific and small. The choice is up to you. 

I'm here to encourage you to rise above the unnecessary busyness of the end of the year. Take care of you so you can take care of others. Small steps count. You can do it.

Questions:

• Did you give up on one of your goals for 2024? If you could keep going, what would be the smallest step you could take this week?

• Is your schedule unnecessarily busy at the end of the year? If yes, How can you simplify your schedule? 

• It is not too early to be grateful for God's blessings. Name 5 things that happened this year for which you are grateful.