What recent achievement are you most proud of? Perhaps it was receiving a promotion at work, completing your first 10K run, watching your child graduate high school or helping a neighbor with their home renovation? While these moments can be significant, they are the result of substantial effort, often spanning months or even years.
A common thread in all these achievements is the humble first step. This initial step could be applying for a job, taking a brisk walk for the first time, escorting your child to their first day of kindergarten or offering more help when your neighbor asks for a hammer. At the time, this step may have seemed minor or unworthy of celebration, but it was fundamental to reaching your ultimate goal.
We often hesitate to take that first step, doubting its significance or feeling overwhelmed by our real goal being so far away. Instead, we should recognize and celebrate that initial step, no matter how small, because this is where meaningful change begins and when we begin to live Whole Health! As David LaMotte said, “Don’t fall into the illusion that what you are doing today has to be grand and heroic in order to matter. Don’t discount the value of beginning.”
Embrace the power of the first step with this 11-minute walking meditation exercise led by Jon Macaskill, a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned Mindfulness and Meditation teacher. This exercise will help you focus on the importance of beginning and the progress that follows.
SMART Goals offer you a way to take small steps
SMART stands for specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-bound. After you have a general goal in mind, apply the principles of SMART goals to focus in on how to reach it. Learn more about SMART goals and start taking those steps to improve your well-being!
