We all seem to be seeking that magic bullet, the secret, that big breakthrough in terms of health and longevity. We peruse articles, read books, listen to podcasts, and follow so-called experts hoping to find that one nugget of information, new product, or overlooked step that will get us feeling, functioning, and living our best.
I am a big fan of innovation, research, and continued efforts to improve. But it’s worth noting that we know enough right now to have a better life. I just said “we know enough,” but I want this to really hit home, so let me re-phrase that… YOU know enough right now to live a better life. Forget about everyone else for a minute and take note that you have enough knowledge, understanding, and experience to catapult your life to the next level.
When you sit down to order dinner in a restaurant, you know that the broccoli is healthier than the French fries. You know that the stairs are better for you than taking the elevator. You know that reading uplifting, personal growth material has a more positive impact on your brain than watching the mainstream media news. You know that ample, high-quality sleep is much more restorative than staying up late and trying to get by with less sleep. You know that doing meaningful work is more satisfying, fulfilling, and motivating than doing mundane work that you despise. And you know that quality time with family, friends, and loved ones is essential, and that loneliness, isolation, and being around people who bring you down is bad for your mental health.
Knowing enough is good, but there’s a huge difference between knowing and doing. We’ve all heard that knowledge is power… but knowledge alone is useless, unless we combine that knowledge with action. The big question is, if knowing isn’t the problem, because we already know enough, why aren’t we doing?
There are two things to consider here. The first is starting. The second is continuing. We are very good at putting things off. We like to say that we’ll start tomorrow… or next week… or right after the holidays… etc. Think about that Chinese proverb, “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” Taking that first step may not propel you forward, but it gets you going. And going is what must happen if you want to see change in your life.
We often don’t take that first step because we don’t think it’s big enough, we don’t think it will have an impact, and we don’t think it will matter. Most people undervalue the impact of the small stuff, but it’s the small stuff that leads to the biggest change. Choosing the broccoli over the fries may seem miniscule, but it’s one step, and more importantly, it’s one step in the right direction.
Doing the small stuff is a start. It’s a step. The second key is continuing. That journey is 1,000 miles, and it does begin with the first step, but you get where you want to go by following that first step with a second step, then a third, a fourth, a fifth, and so on. You don’t lose weight or gain muscle with one day of dieting or with one good workout. You don’t get that promotion by exceeding expectations on one project. Your marriage does not get reignited with one date night. But that day of dieting, good workout, exceeding expectations on that project, and that date night is a first step. Critical! Then doing another day of dieting, another workout, exceeding expectations again, and another date night is another step. Eventually, by taking those steps again, and again, and again, you’ve gone your 1,000 miles. You’ve lost the weight built the muscle, got the promotion, and renewed the passion in your marriage.
To recap… every step matters. But that first step MUST be taken… and you need to continue taking step after step after step. The steps may seem small, mundane, and unimpactful, but it is those small steps that ultimately lead to the biggest change. And most importantly… you already know what steps to take. The wait is over. You know enough. Take that first step today. Then keep on stepping.
