A Joyous Perspective on Big Strategies: Don't forget the little things...

At tonight's Friday Night Thought Tale Hour at the Henderson's, we are coming off of a week when the main topic of conversation around the water cooler or the social media site is something about a resolution for change. Your friends, colleagues and maybe even you are making sweeping adjustments to your daily schedules and behaviors. It's a new year, a new beginning, a fresh start. But if you read my last week's Thought Tale (Reset), then you know I am not very fond of 'resolutions' and dramatic decisions based on a recent flop. So as I continued to consider this during the week, I got another little insight from the most unusual of places....

Eddy was acting weird one morning...

On Monday, I went on one of my daily walks with our dog, Eddy. (#morningswitheddy) Usually, when we leave our house in the morning at the crack of dawn, Eddy leaves no doubt about how excited he is to drag me down the path ahead. And if you throw a squirrel, or heaven help us, another dog into the mix, and that

animal will get down into a combat stance, utilizing every muscle in his 25lb body to move me a little faster. Of course, he detests the harness or any item we try to put on his body. But he endures it, seeming to understand that it's just part of the deal if he wants to go out for a walk.
But on this morning, he was wigglier than normal as I put on his dog jacket and arranged the harness around him. As we headed out into the 18-degree weather, I immediately noted that he was moving less actively than normal. The neighbor's dog was barking, but he wasn't dragging me to the corner. I just chalked it up to an extra cold day or something. But throughout the first half of the walk, he wasn't as chipper. It wasn't until he turned just right to look at me that I noticed what was wrong: I had inadvertently not put his front foot through the harness, making the thing twist strangely on him. I reached down and quickly fixed it. Just a small adjustment - but you would think I had given him a shot of adrenaline! His tail started wagging wildly; he bolted toward a squirrel in a tree, and suddenly, he was on a mission to drag me down the path again.

Just one little change, 

that produced a big new beginning.

In those next few minutes, the lesson before me did not go unnoticed. I had made a minor change in his apparel. I only moved his foot. But to Eddy, I had increased his ability to enjoy the next 15 minutes of his life to the tenth power. Huh. Some would think that he could never be that happy unless the entire harness came off, but in reality, it was a subtle change that helped Eddy to begin again in the manner he was hoping for. What if I had missed it? Assumed something larger, like even a trip to the Vet? 

It's easy to go big when it comes to a big goal.

The trouble is, many times, all the big efforts we make can cover the significant small pieces we need to reach our objectives. I am beginning to learn, after approximately 50 years of decision-making, that these little pieces, small movements, are worth taking a minute to consider in all our resolution-ing and resetting. They are an important part of a strategy. Perhaps the biggest decision you need to make is to adhere to a few small changes. So before you find yourself less than a week in and thinking of throwing in the towel, here are some small considerations to keep close as a part of your big strategy:

Is this the time, or just a tradition? Are you ready for this commitment to change? I'm not talking about just being in need of the change because of course there's a need. The need has probably been there for a very long time. The question is, why now? It's a minor thing, but it's a major part of beginning: You have to decide that you are ready.

What's your motivation? Whatever the goal, why your are going for this goal is something that has to last well past the moment you achieve this goal. The reasons for making a change can seem vast and critical - and they are. But it's the small, often taken for granted reasons that last forever. Getting up and not struggling, waking up without worry, not having to interrupt an important moment for a cigarette break - small things, but they make a big impact. They will keep you going long after you reach your goal.

What do you expect? What if it's not as life changing

Little thing producing a meaningful goal...

as you imagine? We all have visions of how different life would be if we could just finally achieve that one thing that is bugging us. The images are usually pretty big and dominating. I challenge you to concentrate instead on the small achievements. Expect only to get through the next hour, or the next half day, or just today. Keep your expectations in check, and soon you will be further ahead than you ever envisioned.

What's going on between your ears? What's your attitude and perspective about the change your making? Are you excited, determined, settled? Or are you cynical, scared or angry? How you view the need to make this change, and the reasons why it is important may seem like a small factoid, but it is part of the foundation for long-term resilience. Think about it for a minute. Meditate on the feelings, and get them corrected if needed.

Who are you gonna call? Have a person that you can call when you think you might give up. Let them know how you are doing. You need a bragging buddy, and I'm not talking about your entire Friend List. Keep it small.

Who is responsible? Lastly, be sure you have settled on the fact that you and only you are large and in charge here. It's not the diet, the medication, the program or anything else at the end of the day. Only you. Embrace it.

So, how about it...Auld Lang Syne, 

this time with a purpose?

It IS a wonderful life.

So tonight, we are toasting to the little things. I made something called, "A little bit of Heaven" because that's what achieving a long-desired goal is really like. Here's to restoring your faith in your ability to achieve anything you want this year, and making the little things into immense change. CHEERS, FRIENDS!

A Little Bit of Heaven Cocktail**

1 oz Hpnotiq® liqueur
1 oz white or malibu rum
A splash of orange juice
A splash of pineapple juice
fill with cranberry juice to top.

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into your favorite glass and garnish with fresh rosemary, orange, and a cherry.

**Always drink responsibly. Never drive after consuming alcohol.

Just had to add one more of Eddy :)