#83 Want vs Choose

Trying to become good fast makes you impatient. And impatience may well stop you from ever becoming good in the first place.

Because the only way to become good is by understanding that in today’s practice session, you likely won’t be perfect anyway.

That you likely won’t write your most insightful words.

That you likely won’t run an all-time best.

That you’ll likely spend a large part of your yoga session stumbling and losing balance.

When you go into your practice session with that mindset…

Suddenly it makes sense to focus hard on getting that one sentence right.

Now it makes sense to focus on rhythmic breathing while running instead of pushing for a better time.

Now it makes sense to focus on a tiny part of your body during an entire yoga session to train your awareness instead of trying to chase poses because “they look professional.”

Even if there is not much time to “become good,” it still makes sense to assume there is time.

Because that gives you the freedom to focus on the small adjustments that prepare you for when the time comes, and you truly need to perform.

Since I’m always practicing anyway, I don’t have to be good at this today.

Every time I commit to do something and then follow through, I’m building self-trust in my ability to persevere (because actions overrule thoughts).

Now here’s the pitfall: the action you commit to doesn’t have to be grand or impressive for you to build trust.

There’s only one thing that matters: commit, then follow through.

I set out to meditate 30 seconds today – and I follow through? I’m building self-trust. I’m a meditator now.

I set out to write one sentence – and I actually write one sentence? I’m building self-trust. I’m a writer now.

I set out to do one push-up – and I do one push-up? I’m building self-trust. I’m an exerciser now.

Such tiny actions might not make a huge difference in your skill level, but that’s irrelevant. You’re not building skill (yet). You’re building self-trust by making commitments, then following through.

Once you trust yourself to follow through, you can start thinking about skill. That’s the flow of skill- and habit-building.

So… first things first. Commit to a tiny action. Follow through. Build self-trust and self-esteem.

The magic is in the Tiny Trust Builders.