Swiss Cheese the Goal
By Tana M. Mann Easton, Lead Efficiency Engineer
Do you ever set goals that seem too big to start? If so, you may need to Swiss cheese the goal. In order to get over the hurdle of starting, you start poking holes in the task to find a small enough point that feels like you need fewer energy points to start.
For example, if your goal is to run more this year and you’re finding it hard to start because it feels so difficult, Swiss cheese it. Ask yourself if you can run 3 miles. If that feels impossible, ask yourself if you can run 1 mile. If that’s also a no, ask if you can go for a walk. If that’s also a no, ask yourself if you can just get dressed to run and put on your shoes. If that’s a yes, then do that. Chances are, once you’re dressed and have those shoes on, then you’ll probably want to do a little bit more. And if getting in your shoes is as far as you go today, then tell yourself you will do that much and walk to the mailbox tomorrow. And then maybe to the end of the block the next day. And so on.
Swiss cheesing the problem has always been how I’ve gotten started with my most daunting goals. Find that sliver of an entry point and start there. Over the span of a 365-day year, doing even the bare minimum each day can really put a dent in that goal you want to keep.
If you or your team would like to sign up for our 2 hour Balance and Productivity training to instantly double your meaningful output and find the feeling of lasting flow and optimized work life balance, please email me at tana@focustoevolve.com and say hello!
With Sincere Gratitude,
Tana at Focus to Evolve