Easy Wins

I used to hate when someone said, “let’s just start with some easy wins.” It felt like they were already giving up on me. They didn’t have confidence that I could get the BIG wins. It felt like they were insinuating that I needed to be able to push the “easy button” and get on with it.

Over the years, I’ve learned I had it soooo wrong! Easy wins are what gets the momentum going, stepping stones to the big wins! It’s leaning into the goals. It’s living into your vision - one step at a time. It’s finding confidence along the way. It’s preparing yourself for the rewards of what’s to come. It’s learning, growing, trying, and improving with each step - tweaking what’s important when needed.

People don’t go from spending all day on the couch to running a marathon. They start by running around the block.

We don’t suddenly deposit a million dollars in the bank. We save one check at a time.

Authors don’t sit down and write their book in one sitting. They write 200 words a day.

Easy wins.

Life is full of them - and they’re not to be ignored.

Sometimes we’re so exhausted and overwhelmed with life, that the thought of the mountain climb to our main goal is overwhelming and exhausting just to think about! But… Baby steps. One thing at a time. Bit by bit, we climb that mountain - one step at a time.

I have asthma and when I go on a hike with my husband, he loves steep hills. He looks to the top, enjoying the feeling of getting closer and closer to the big goal. I, on other hand, spend the entire time looking at the trail 2 feet in front of me. Eyes on the ground. When I focus on one step at a time - I can control my breathing, go at my own pace, and not focus on “It’s so far! This is never going to end!” One step. Easy win. And when I get to the top? Woo-hoo! I can really celebrate!

So as we begin another week… What easy wins can you plan into your day?

An extra glass of water?

A 5 minute walk after lunch?

Giving the kids an extra hug?

A scoop of veggies with dinner?

Saying “thank you” to your spouse?

Writing down 5 things you are grateful for?

Pick one thing every day. Stretch yourself a bit... But easy. So very easy. It’s the first step to forming new habits to get you to that mountain top!

You’ve got this!