Tame an overly ambitious goal with this simple strategy.
We can halve and double our way to eventual success.
Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we set goals for ourselves that are a little more than we can handle. Many of us are tempted to quit when we realize how far away we are from achieving what we set out to do, but what we need is a new strategy.
First, reflect on the goal itself. Does it still align with your values? Does it still resonate with you? Remember, you can always let go of a goal that doesn't serve your aims. But if your goal is still a worthwhile ambition, it's worth pursuing.
I first came across the halve/double strategy in the book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff. The aim is to either halve the goal itself or double the time you'll take to achieve it. For instance, if you're struggling to meditate for 20 minutes every day, halve the goal and try for 10 minutes each day. If you intended to give your home a deep Spring cleaning in a single week, give yourself two weeks instead. (And be sure to plan and schedule those cleaning tasks while you're at it.) If you have a goal to write 30 poems in 30 days, but you're struggling with the fast pace, you can either write 15 poems in 30 days -- or try for 30 poems in 60 days. That goal will work with halving or doubling -- your choice!
Almost everyone knows the parable about the tortoise and the hare, with its moral of "Slow and steady wins the race." There's no parable about a hare and a slightly slower hare who quit the race because they fell behind. Tenacity and a willingness to try a new approach will always propel you closer to your goals.
Challenge:
This week, I urge you to examine a goal you're struggling with. Can you halve your objective or double the time you'll spend pursuing it? This tactic won't work on every goal, but it works well for self-imposed deadlines and creative aims. We humans tend to be impatient. We want everything right now, including progress on our goals. But incremental progress is still progress, even when it's slower than we would prefer. Take away some of the pressure and allow yourself some ease.