Small changes can lead to big improvements from "summary" of The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
Many people believe that making big changes is the key to achieving significant improvements in their lives. They think that in order to see real progress, they need to take drastic measures, such as completely overhauling their diet, exercising for hours on end, or completely revamping their daily routine. However, the truth is that small changes can often lead to big improvements when it comes to building willpower and achieving our goals. In the book "The Willpower Instinct," Kelly McGonigal explains how making small, incremental changes can have a big impact on our ability to resist temptation and make better choices. She argues that willpower is like a muscle that can be strengthened through practice and that even the smallest changes in behavior can help us build our self-control and discipline over time. By starting with small changes, we can gradually build momentum and create positive habits that will serve us in the long run. For example, instead of trying to completely eliminate a bad habit like procrastination, we can start by setting small, achievable goals for ourselves, such as working for just 10 minutes before taking a break. Over time, these small changes can add up and lead to significant improvements in our productivity and overall well-being. Furthermore, making small changes allows us to stay motivated and avoid the feelings of overwhelm that often come with trying to make big changes all at once. By focusing on one small change at a time, we can build confidence in our ability to change our behavior and make progress towards our goals. This incremental approach also helps us develop a growth mindset, where we see setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than reasons to give up.- While it may be tempting to try to make big changes in order to see big improvements, the reality is that small changes can often be more effective in the long run. By starting small and gradually building on our successes, we can strengthen our willpower, develop positive habits, and ultimately achieve our goals. So, the next time you're looking to make a change in your life, remember that even the smallest steps can lead to big improvements.
