054- How to embrace progress over perfection: a habit challenge

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One of my favorite things I've learned from my friend Emily Reuschel is about the power of small habit changes. She created a habit challenge called You Do You 82 and You Do You 32. The primary basis of it is "Progress Over Perfection." You can find more about it on her website. I've done a couple rounds of the habit challenge over the past year. A couple weeks ago I suggested that my office team members join me in doing a 32-day challenge. There are several "scorecards" or trackers that you can download from Emily's website.

So what does progress over perfection even mean? The idea is that you are probably not going to check off every habit everyday during the challenge. And that's okay. But if you are getting the new habits done part or most of the time, you are making progress.

Based on some other research that I've done about habits, I wanted to share a few other things. First there is the incredible, transformative power of small habits. You know, those tiny, seemingly insignificant changes that you make on a daily basis. Trust me, they may be small, but the impact they can have on your life is truly amazing.

We've all been there, right? Staring at a list of resolutions, thinking about the big changes we want to make in our lives. Lose weight, start a new hobby, read a book a week – the list goes on. And let's be honest, more often than not, those grand plans fizzle out faster than you can snap your fingers. What if I told you that the real key to unlocking a better version of yourself lies in the small, consistent actions you take each day? Enter the world of tiny habits – those bite-sized changes that are so easy to adopt, you barely notice them. Yet, over time, they can snowball into big transformations.

Let's take the classic example of the early morning routine. Instead of setting the alarm an hour earlier and attempting a full-blown workout session, why not start with just 10 minutes of walking on a treadmill, or outside if the weather is good? That's what I did and now I'm up to a 30 minute walk each day. The power of these micro-habits lies in their simplicity. You're more likely to stick with them, and they create a positive ripple effect throughout your day.

Remember that old adage – "Rome wasn't built in a day"? The same goes for the habits that shape our lives. Small changes compound over time, creating a foundation for more significant transformations. Want to write a book? Start by jotting down just a few sentences every day. Dreaming of a healthier lifestyle? Begin by swapping out that sugary snack with a piece of fruit.

The beauty of small habits is that they are sustainable. They become ingrained in your daily routine, making them less likely to fall by the wayside. It's not about making a massive overhaul in one go; it's about consistently steering the ship in the right direction.

Here's my habit tracker, this time around.

I challenge you to embrace the power of small habits. Whether it's taking the stairs instead of the elevator, drinking an extra glass of water, or expressing gratitude daily – these little actions may seem trivial, but they are the building blocks of a more fulfilled and empowered version of yourself. Here's to the small changes that lead to big results! Try it out and make yourself proud.