A twist on Outer Order, Inner Calm

Light Bulb Moment!

I was pondering something this morning after I had shared a small success with Mr.Padawan, specifically that I don't think I celebrate the little successes as much as I should.  I have this huge goal that I want to reach and I have hit a few mini goals or successes without realizing that they were there, but each time I noticed them it was a mental boost, I felt better, happier and more energized to continue.   The phrase that came to mind was:

A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules. ~Anthony Trollope via Outer Order, Inner Calm
I kept turning that phrase in my head thinking of the mini successes I have had and realized that I could paraphrase that into:
Small successess, achieved with some regularity, will get you to the larger success, while focus solely on the larger success is likely to get you nowhere.
In my previous attempts at weight loss, I know that I have focused on the larger picture and only gave fleeting glances to my smaller successes.   How could I not, I think that many of us are prone to thing along the lines of "Go big or go home".  We have all heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  I can honestly say I am doing things differently this time, most notably counting those calories as well as doing a bit more tracking of exercise.

Another thing that I am doing differently, I know my purpose.
When we're very clear about why we're doing it, it's easier to use our time and energy productively - and also to recognize success.  ~Gretchen Rubin, Outer Order, Inner Calm
The reason I know my purpose is because at the start of my free trial of Noom they walk you through exercises to define your purpose, your big goal, and goals along the way.  Remember I have written before some of the tricks in Noom I recognize as things I had previously read in Gretchen's books.  I believe that because I had my purpose in mind I have been able to more easily identify my small successes.

My final thought about something that I have done differently relates to this:
...chose a theme for the month and focus on the object in that theme.  This approach is arbirary, but that's one reason that it's effective: it helps us to see our environment in a new, playful way.  ~Gretchen Rubin, Outer Order, Inner Calm
I can assure you that I really am not off my rocker but I realized that I am sort of doing a theme for a month, specifically this month.  I had started using an app that is a 30 day challenge - exercise for your butt and thighs and at the same time I decided to join up some friends on FB and do this 30 day plank challenge.  I am doing quite well on the butt and thigh challenge and not so much on the plank challenge, but that is ok.  I know right now that it is unrealistic for me to hit the 5 minute mark by the 30th day, I have had some setbacks (shoulder issues and it insane how much that plays a part in doing and holding a plank) but I am going to stick with it and see if I can manage to hit 2.5 minutes or better by the 30th day.    Part of what is keeping me going is the fact that it is only 30 days, long but yet not insurmountable so yes that makes it a bit of a novelty.

As I write this I am realizing it allows me to let go in some aspect, sure these two challenges I am doing are focusing on body parts, but I chose those and now I don't need to think about what area to focus on in a day to day way.  For this month it is thighs, butt and core and next month I am sure I can find a 30 day challenge that focuses on something else, maybe it will be upper body, maybe it will be flexibility.  Don't get me wrong during this month I am also doing other exercises and I incorporate upper body, cardio, and flexibility, so next month when I focus on other things I will not completely forget my thighs, butt and core!

Up next for me, I need to capitalize on this ephiphany of mine and catalog my small successes so I can celebrate them and look at them for inspiration and encouragment.  I also need to get off my duff and re-read Better than Before which has been on my to do list for a while to help bolster my habit changes.

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