The Ripple Effect: Small Steps Lead to Big Results

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle

Procrastination is the single habit at the root of so many problems that plague all of us at one time or another - challenges with managing our time, relationships, projects, and information.

Procrastination is doing low-priority tasks and activities instead of the high-priority ones which so often contribute the most to our success. For some, procrastination becomes a harmful habit which impedes personal and professional development.

If procrastination is so harmful, why do we do it? We tend to put off doing things for the following reasons:

**They are unpleasant to do.
**They are difficult or complex to do.
**They involve making tough decisions that can be overwhelming.

When we don't want to do something that is unpleasant or difficult, we find less important things to do that will keep us "busy" so we have an excuse for why we didn't get around to it. But putting something off does not make it go away, and postponing it often just makes it worse. As someone once said, "Killing time murders opportunities."

I'll share a key to success that I've learned from my own life experiences...

If you want to make big changes in your life, start by making small ones.

What small change have you made recently that yielded positive results for you? By thinking about what is working, you are focusing on the positive. Remember that we attract whatever we choose to give our attention to -- whether wanted or unwanted. When we focus on what we want, we are more likely to attract it into our lives.

Unlike a long list of unrealistic New Year's resolutions that usually get broken before the end of January, small changes can create a ripple effect of another small change, followed by another. In other words, small changes can lead to other related changes. Next thing you know, you've generated an unstoppable tidal wave!

Ask yourself this question: What's one thing that, if you did consistently, would make the greatest positive difference in your life?

I asked a client (I'll call her Kate) this question a couple of years ago during a coaching call. Her initial response was that she wanted to start taking the train to work instead of driving her car in horrible rush-hour traffic. But Kate said she could not do that because she often needed the car to get to meetings during her workday. I asked her if there were other means of transportation available to her (subway, taxi, etc.) on days she had appointments that were not walking distance from her office.

Kate was not sure how it would work, but she was willing to commit to a one-month trial period. I spoke with her at the end of her first week. She recognized how this one change was already having a tremendous positive impact on her life. Over time, the impact grew larger. The ripple effect was doing its thing!

Here are some of the benefits Kate has experienced:

* Kate is able to sleep 30 minutes later each workday, since she actually gets to work quicker by taking the train.

* Kate has saved enough money in gas and parking fees to pay for her coaching sessions with me.

* Kate has time for her professional reading, which she does in the mornings on her way to work.

* Kate has time for pleasure reading on the way home. (She had not read a novel in years!)

* Because she has to catch the train home at a specific time, Kate leaves the office at a set time instead of staying for "just a few more minutes" (which was never just a few minutes!) to get caught up.

* Kate is conducting more business using technology (teleconference calls and webinars), which saves her a lot of time that she used to spend getting to and from meetings. Others appreciate this time savings, too!

* By leaving the driving to someone else, Kate's stress level is much lower when she gets home.

* Kate's reduced stress levels gives her added energy, and she now works out at a nearby health club a few times a week. (Before, she barely had the energy to crawl in the door of her home. Once she got there, she rarely ventured out at night.)

* Kate met a wonderful man at her train stop near her home, and they started dating last year. (They're still dating, and the future looks promising!)

I could keep listing the effects this one change has had on Kate's life. It's a perfect example of the ripple effect in action -- all of this by making one change, which led to another, and another.

For more articles about overcoming procrastination, visit these newsletter articles at http://www.orgcoach.net/newsletter.html

* Fear Not! - The Perfectionist's Credo
* March 4th . Time to March Forth
* To do or not to do - that is the question
* The Time Has Come.Just DO IT!
* First Things First
* Get Productive!

Copyright 2005 Kathy Paauw

Wouldn't you love to stumble upon a secret library of ideas to help you de-clutter your life so you can focus on what's most important? Kathy Paauw offers simple, yet powerful ideas, on how to manage your time, space, and thoughts for a more productive and fulfilling life. Visit http://www.orgcoach.net

---

How to Talk to Yourself When Nobody is Listening and You Want to

Do you ever pay attention to the thoughts inside your... Read More

Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is more deadly than failure itself.... Read More

How to Get Up on a Down Day

One of the major obstacles to achieving goals is losing... Read More

Who Is Stuart Goldsmith?

'Stuart Goldsmith? Who is Stuart Goldsmith?' you may be asking.I... Read More

Keeping Your Eyes Wide Open: A Letter to a Grandson

One day, a young man was cleaning out his late... Read More

A Burning Desire

"Mommy, he's doing it again." I yelled as I came... Read More

Ill Put My Money On The Kid!

Now, the Fun Part. It is nigh time to find... Read More

Rut Busting

IntroductionWordNet defines a rut as a groove or furrow (especially... Read More

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More

How to Get Motivated and Have Industrial Strength Self-Motivation

It is not your fault if popular self-help courses have... Read More

Lego Laws for Life

Just about everybody owns or has owned a bucket of... Read More

Fear

As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More

Nothing More Than Feelings

"How are you Inventing Your Life Today?" ? the lead... Read More

Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline... Read More

You are the Master of Your Destiny

Every thought of a human being is transformed as picture... Read More

Succeed Like the Super-Successful

Two undeniable traits of the super-successful are: their belief in... Read More

Motivation: Tearing Down Your Own Limitations

Q.: I've always been sort of cynical about all this... Read More

Dont Just Hope - Decide!

As the story goes, a single college-age guy went to... Read More

Getting What You Really Want

Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More

What Are You Waiting For?

It's the new millenium. Are you ready to finally realize... Read More

My Grandmother Never Had a Degree

There were four generations sitting at the kitchen table, smacking... Read More

The Untold Truth About Mentors, and Why You DONT Need One

I think there is a misconception about what a mentor... Read More

A Dollar and Some Ambition

(Excerpted from "Building Your Network Marketing Business" CD)Capital in your... Read More

Making A Lot Out Of A Little - Use It Or Lose It

"Making a lot out of a little"Ever noticed how some... Read More

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More

Motivation, Your Core Resource

Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More

Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others

There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each... Read More

Violating Boundaries: Assert Yourself and Take Charge

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a... Read More

If Theres Money in a Dead Mouse...

My 4 year old son was very excited. I had... Read More

Entrepreneurs: Take Action Over Inspiration Every Time!

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration... Read More

What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?

The next time you find yourself relaxing on the couch,... Read More

Can One Person Increase Motivation in Another Person?

The answer is yes, of course, right? People motivate other... Read More

Mastering the Problem of Everyday Living

People are unhappy and defeated by their everyday problems that... Read More