Go Small to Go Big

Go small to go big is a mantra of mine. 

Whenever trying to learn a new task or skill I start small. Learning the basics helps you build a scaffolding for building on larger successes. 

For example, I set a big goal. Running a half marathon. I started out with the intention of improving over time little by little. I started out just going for a 10-minute walk every day. From there I would get 10,000 steps. Then I began measuring the number of miles I would try to go further and further. 

That first step on that first 10-minute walk was the Golden Step. 

Author Stephen Guise refers to this concept of "golden steps" in his book Mini Habits. This concept works because of the theory of post-movement motivation. 

Post-Movement Motivation is when you do one small step you find you have the motivation to keep doing more. 

There are two elements of post-movement motivation: ego and physics. 

There is something to be said by not completing a small step and allowing it to get in the way of progress during your day. 

For example, it is very easy to find 10 minutes for a short walk. If you can't complete the short walk you have to walk around for the rest of the day with the knowledge that you were so lazy you couldn't find 10 minutes to take a short walk. This is ego driving you to take action. 

The second component is physics. Object in motion remains in motion. You will soon find yourself going for 15-20 minute walks and before long you are running for 20 minutes and then 10 miles. 

This is why you want to go small to go big. 

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