“I want to get healthier, but where do I even start?”
“I want to eat better, but I don’t have time to do meal prep like I used to.”
“I want to start exercising again, but I don’t enjoy going to the gym.”
If you’re thinking these kinds of thoughts, don’t sweat it. Getting started is the hardest part.
So, here’s a gentle, effective way to nudge yourself in the right direction again.
It’s called the 5-Minute Action:
There’s nothing special about 5 minutes. It could be 10 seconds or 10 minutes. Making it quick and easy to do is the important part.
Here’s the gist:
- It’s a deliberate action – you’re taking control!
- It’s bite-sized, so it feels easy and simple.
- It moves you in the direction that you want to do.
- It snags you a small victory, boosting your confidence up a notch.
How to do it:
Choose an action that could add a sprinkle of well-being to your life right now.
For instance:
- Brainstorm a list of 3 healthy lunches that you could make this week.
- Slice up a few carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers for healthy snacking on later.
- Do 5 minutes of stretching or 10 minutes of walking.
Feeling a bit ambitious? Link this small action to a broader vision.
Say you want to get back into the habit of eating mostly home-cooked meals…
Commit to just ONE tiny step that serves this grand plan.
It could be jotting down a shopping list, browsing a cookbook, or prepping some veggies.
Here’s the kicker: Motivation isn’t your starting point; it’s your byproduct.
When you accomplish one simple thing, you’ll find yourself eager to tackle more.
So, skip the ‘waiting for motivation’ phase and start building some momentum.
You’ll feel so much better from just having started (or re-started).
