Consistency and aiming low. Let’s talk aiming low.
Aiming low is an insight from Jordan Peterson. (And others, like BJ Fogg).
Big tasks are sexy and appeal to my ego (look at what I’m doing!) but daunting and seemingly impossible. Set absurdly high standards for yourself as a noob and you will fail.
Example: the gym. I’m a noob and I cannot lift heavy stuff.
“Become a millionaire.” How do you start when you’re broke? Setting a goal of earning $50,000 per month is souls-crushing when you’re barely breaking even. Visualization and affirmations and all that? Fine stuff but when atoms start moving—or don’t—how are you going to keep at it over the long haul?
“Put $5 in a savings account.” That’s something that almost every broke person can do. Even me.
Aim low isn’t really the advice. Aim high but act low.
I want consistency in getting things done. Two “aim low” ideas came to mind while writing this:
- Writing. 500 words a day seems daunting. More to the point, I’m not doing it. How about 100 words a day? How about 50?
- Tasks. Too many things in my life languish, incomplete. Just open up Things and look at what’s there. Don’t commit to doing, just look. To that end, I now have my iPad sitting on my desk to my left, dedicated to Things. So I’m already moving!