In my article on self-discipline, I touched on a powerful principle. The power of little by little.
It’s not a new principle but one we often neglect. We do this for various reasons, which I’ll get into, but it has a lot to do with our perspective and mindset.
We understand and nod our head in agreement with these popular phrases:
Little things mean a lot
It’s the little things that matter
Little things add up…
Then why don’t we tap into the power of little by little more?
HOW WE SEE
When we hear those lines about little things we tend to have a narrow view.
We think about doing something nice for someone, and how it makes them feel good.
We focus on the littleness.
We go aww.
We feel all warm and fuzzy.
This is great for this scenario.
However.
When we have a problem, a big task or goal in front of us we see a mountain.
When we focus on the hugeness of the mountain, we view little by little as small and impotent. The big huge thing in front of us that makes little by little seem ridiculous.
We need to see the power inherent in little by little.
When we focus on the hugeness of the mountain, we view little by little as small and impotent. Click To Tweet
HOW WE FEEL
Another obstacle to implementing the power of little by little is how we feel about it.
- When we don’t see the power of little by little we feel hopeless.
- When we dare to consider its power, impatience steps in saying why bother.
Hopelessness and impatience are robbers.
They rob us of the certain victory little by little can provide as we give up before we even start.
We need to feel the power inherent in little by little.
SEE AND FEEL THE POWER
I first saw the power of little by little in an article in Prevention magazine. In their 2001 issue, they wrote: “Do Just One Thing: and beat the TOP 10 HEALTH THREATS”. That was a bold statement but they had examples and testimonials to illustrate.
For example, Patti LaBelle who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994, Willard Scott who suffered panic attacks on the air, Bill Parcells who had open-heart surgery, Della Reese who had an aneurysm, and Kathie Hagenah who weighed 300 pounds.
They all had a mountain. They all tapped into the power of little by little and overcame.
Kathie’s story is profound. At her annual physical, instead of getting on her case about her weight in the usual doctor type fashion he asked her to “give up one bad habit a year”. Just one.
Kathie chose giving up sitting on the couch to start taking walks on a nearby trail. Little by little it became routine. After the walking became routine she trimmed food portions until that became routine.
Just two little things she did opened her eyes to the power of little by little. This motivated Kathie to start adding good habits in the same manner.
Over the course of 3 years, Kathie lost 110 pounds and knows it’s a permanent thing because it’s based on lifestyle changes, not quick fixes.
This quote by Will Smith is powerful.
You don’t set out to build a wall. You don’t say ‘I’m going to build the biggest, baddest, greatest wall that’s ever been built.’ You don’t start there. You say, ‘I’m going to lay this brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid. You do that every single day. And soon you have a wall. —Will Smith
When you see and feel the power of little by little you’ll believe in it.
When you see and feel the power of little by little you’ll believe in it. Click To Tweet
I BELIEVE IN THE POWER
How much exercise is “enough”? If you go searching online you’ll find a variety of answers.
I dismissed them years ago in favor of the principle of little by little. Even when a “friend” challenged me saying doing a little won’t do anything. She was wrong.
I felt so strongly about the little I was doing, I shared it in my interview with NABBW when I released my first book.
I have an exercise routine I do first thing every morning to wake up, stretch and strengthen my upper body and back. I started it many years ago and have added things as I find them useful. It isn’t elaborate or really very strenuous and it isn’t uncommon for me to do part of it with my eyes closed and in the dark before I am totally awake.
Seriously – I started with just 5 minutes daily and now am up to 15 and still do them in the same manner.
I understand this kind of routine isn’t preparation for a triathlon but that never was my aim. I want to be healthy, strong and live long.
Eight or nine years ago I started using hand weights every day.
I began with one-pound weights, added five-pound weights, then ten pounds, then 15, and now this year I added 20-pound weights.
I have a daily practice of spending time with the Spirit of Grace.
It started little by little also – just 5 or 10 minutes a day. Now I enjoy much more time with Him.
This year I tackled a new mountain—cleaning my house. I used to enjoy it but now it’s just a daunting task.
I started the practice of doing just one thing to clean my house every day.
I was so excited it’s working that I shared this picture on Facebook.
All of these have worked by believing in the power of little by little.
YOU CAN DO IT TOO
What is your mountain made out of?
No matter what it is, scaling your mountain, or tearing it down can be done—little by little.
All you need is:
- Believe in the power inherent in little by little.
- Love yourself enough to start.
- Grace for your process
The power of little by little will work for YOU.
The power of little by little will work for YOU. Click To Tweet
WHAT NEXT
- For help to love yourself enough to start – go here.
- For help to give yourself grace go here.
- Need to SEE more?
- This 5-minute video* is of age progression little by little
*Although this video is titled Danielle, it is not me, nor made by me.
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Danielle, you are amazing! I have begun to seriously meditate on your emails….before I was just reading them. Thank you for sharing your heart. It helps me to feel that I am not alone in the struggle.
Dawn
Thank you, Dawn.
I’m happy to hear my words are helping you.
You’re right – you are not alone!
It’s so great to hear from you – thank you for sharing!
love, Danielle
Thank you for this excellent article!
You’re welcome, Kara. Glad you enjoyed it.
Danielle – that’s your article was worth the time to invest in – just 10 min or so but left me invigorated with hope for charting a doable course for change.
Btw that was thanks not that
You’re welcome!
That’s awesome, Roz – invigorate with hope for charting a doable course for change!
Thank you for sharing!!