Small Steps: How Ironmen and Everyday Heroes Achieve Their Goals
Blog Originally Posted by Toby Adamson here: https://tobyadamson.com/articles/f/small-steps-how-ironmen-and-everyday-heroes-achieve-their-goals
Aloha from paradise! I traded in the Windy City for the Hawaiian Islands, and let me tell you, the view is definitely an upgrade. I recently relocated to Hawaii with my fiancé (now husband) as part of our "nomadic lifestyle" – a grand experiment in living life on the road for 12 months in different places around the world. Hawaii is our first stop, and honestly? It feels like cheating.
But amidst the beaches, sunsets, and the mai tais, I was captivated by another kind of event entirely: the Ironmen. Ironmen are walking, running, biking, and swimming everywhere I go, which makes for great sightseeing if watching elite athletes perform at their peak interests you.
When you think of an Ironman, what comes to mind? Perhaps it's the image of a determined athlete, pushing their limits, tackling a grueling blend of swimming, cycling, and running over incredible distances. But Ironmen, much like any of us striving towards a goal, don't just wake up one morning and compete at this level. Their journey begins with small, deliberate steps, gradually building up to those epic feats of endurance. They may have started with a 5K. Or maybe they started with a Couch to 5K program. Then they started swimming. Then they tried a half marathon. No two paths are the same, but they all start with a small step.
This method isn't just for elite athletes; it's a blueprint for anyone seeking to achieve ambitious goals.
Often, people delay working towards their goals, waiting for the perfect moment when they have enough time, energy, or resources to take that 'big step.' Ironically, this mindset often leads to inaction. By breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, you're far more likely to make progress and avoid the stress associated with tackling a massive project all at once.
My Story
I recently hurt my hand and can finally get back to swimming. Prior to the injury I was swimming a mile at a time. When I got back in the water, I was excited to swim 500 yards and I am adding on 100 - 150 yards each time I get back in the pool. Soon I will be back up to a mile, which is my goal.
I also recently moved, and it was a year-long process to plan the move, get rid of all the stuff that wasn't needed, find a place to live, prepare the cat for the strict Hawaii requirements, and actually make it here to Hawaii. I broke it down to milestones and then to tasks (small steps) as the milestones became more important. My fiance doesnt work that way, and without throwing him under the bus, a couple of things were left undone. That was because the big milestone was too daunting and he waited too long (read that as “avoided” the milestone because it was too daunting)
So many of my clients have a big goal, but don't ever start because they can’t find that first small step. Following are some benefits of taking small steps and a methodology to find the small steps that will propel you to success.
Benefits of small steps
1. Small Steps Are Easier to Tackle: Taking on a 5-minute task is significantly less daunting than a 5-hour project. Small steps allow you to start immediately without needing perfect conditions.
2. Small Steps Lead to the Next Step: Each small step completed paves the way for the next. This creates a momentum that propels you forward, making progress feel less like an uphill struggle.
3. Small Steps Boost Confidence: Every small success builds confidence. When you see yourself accomplishing these incremental tasks, it reinforces the belief that you can reach your larger goals.
4. Small Steps Make Progress Tangible: Tracking progress can be difficult with long-term goals. However, small steps provide measurable outcomes, making it easier to see how far you've come.
5. Small Steps Allow for Flexibility: Life is unpredictable, and sometimes plans need to change. Small steps give you the flexibility to pivot as needed without losing sight of the goal.
Why You May Not Be Taking The Small Steps
Despite the proven power of small steps, many still find themselves paralyzed by fears, perfectionism, avoidance, people-pleasing, or hyper-vigilance. These barriers can create a mental block that prevents progress. If any of these thoughts invade your mind, this is you:
I can’t start until all the <fill in the blank> is detemrmined
I’m not smart enough for this
I’ll work on it next month when I have more time
There are more important things to consider right now
If I do this, my friends will think I’m crazy
What happens if I fail?
The timing isn’t right
What if people think this is a bad idea?
Understanding and addressing these internal barriers can free you to make steady progress. They may keep you from starting, but remember, action trumps inaction, even if the steps seem small.
To combat these challenges, consider adopting the AIM Smart approach:
Finding The Small Steps
The best way through this is to use this framework to identify the right step right now. It is called AIM Smart and was invented by iPec, a coaching education community.
First ask yourself these questions, in this order:
A: Acceptable – what is the minimum you can do?
I: Ideal – what is the maximum you can do?
M: Middle – what is in the middle; a realistic stretch?
Then, once you have the goal to AIM for and you are ready to take the next step, you follow the SMART process and evaluate your middle goal. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:
S — Specific: Is it a concrete step such as “sign up for a class” vs. “get trained”?
M — Measurable: For what you’ve listed in “Specific,” make sure you have qualified and/or quantified the measure of success, such as “completed sign up”
A — Achievable: Is the initial step possible to achieve?
R — Reasonable: How reasonable is it that what you’re saying you’re going to do can be done at this time?
T — Time-Oriented: By when, exactly, will you complete this first step?
If it isn’t SMART, break it down more by trying AIM again.
Using this technique, you can find the first small step and begin your journey.
Takeaway
The journey to any significant achievement, whether completing an Ironman or mastering a new skill, is fueled by small, consistent steps. By embracing this approach, you make progress seem less overwhelming and more achievable. Remember, small steps aren't just the path to achieving larger goals; they're the key. With a simple strategy and awareness of what might be holding you back, you can find your way to success. So, lace up your sneakers and take that first step—your Ironman journey begins today.
