One Small Step

Dear Doer,

First, let’s take away the doubt (wanna be). Affirm that you WILL do what you plan to do this summer or at least, give each project a running start.

Here’s a theory I’d like you to try. Although I subconsciously do this, the concept isn’t mine. In fact, the idea goes all the way back to the 1800s and Sir William Rowan. Sir Rowan was an Irish astronomer, mathematician, and physicist who made numerous major contributions to abstract algebra, classical mechanics, and optics.

I boiled one of his theories down to make it applicable for you: Take the smallest possible action to trigger motion.

Want to write a memoir? Open a blank word document and write the title and one sentence. Stop!

Want to clean out your linen closet? Organize one shelf or take everything out and leave it in a laundry basket. Stop!

Want to start a painting project? Put your paper on an easel, clean your brushes, and lay your paints out. Stop!

These actions are so simple that your brain can’t say no. Resist (for now) the temptation to do more. You’re building trust with your brain so it won’t switch into overwhelm mode. A single action is easy, it’s doable. Your brain hates hard. It also hates unclear tasks. When a task feels too big or vague, the brain stalls.

Some call this the MAT - Minimal Action Trigger - theory. It gives you permission to start small, build confidence, and stay consistent.

When I start writing a new book, I don’t think about the time and effort it will take to imagine a story, then write 70,000 words or more. If I did, I’d never start. I flesh out one character, one scene, maybe just one sentence. I start.

Before writing this answer to your question, I researched then I stopped. My brain was done, and I wasn’t ready to write. But when I was ready, I had completed the first step and I could move on.

I’ve never run a marathon but I’m quite sure most runners started with a mile or two then gradually increased the distance. Big dreams die as hard goals. Minimize your goals into tiny action steps.

Don’t worry, as your brain begins to trust that you’re not going to push it too far, you’ll begin to build on your early minuscule actions. But don’t push the process. Start small, step away, then take another small step tomorrow. That’s your MAT.