“Fix the input and the output will fix itself.”
This is a quote from one of my favorite books, “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear.
He reminds us that Goals mean nothing without the right SYSTEMS behind them. These systems are our collection of behaviors and is where the majority of our focus should be if we want to experience any positive change in our lives.
It’s a little convicting, actually, isn’t it?
It’s easier to say:
I want to lose weight.
I want to get stronger.
I want to drink less.
I want to eat healthier.
I want to manage my anxiety.
I want to sleep better.
But then not do anything about it.
And it’s not that we don’t WANT to change…it’s that we don’t really know how or where to begin, right?!
So, what if, instead of fixating on the goal, we shifted our attention to the little behaviors that actually help us do that thing?
GOAL: Move More
BEHAVIORS: Stand up every hour. Do a few evening walks around the neighborhood. Choose recreational activities that require a little sweat. Pursue instruction on how to properly stretch and lift weights.
GOAL:Eat Well
BEHAVIORS: Read food labels. Get to know what types of food and portion sizes are best for your body and goals. Fill up on fiber. Eat a veggie with breakfast. Carry a water bottle where ever you go.
GOAL: Sleep Deep
BEHAVIORS: Swap the afternoon coffee with water or green tea. Skip the alcohol purchase next grocery trip. Don’t sit down until the kitchen’s cleaned up. Write tomorrow’s to-do list on paper. Turn off screens 20 minutes before bed.
GOAL: Stress Less
BEHAVIORS: Start the day with prayer and meditation, not screens. Limit major to-dos to 3 a day. Read in bed. Play the piano again. Walk slowly through nature (even when it’s freezing). Grab coffee with a friend. Forgive.
You see, those who achieve success in any area of life do so because they focused on the behaviors that will get them there, not what goal actually was.
All these things are behaviors that seem pretty small when we’re doing them.
At Valeo, we call them “1% Wins.”
….and they’re what separates massive results from mediocre. Little behaviors done consistently over time.
It’s a compound effect that’s produces remarkable results.
Start with a 1% win.
Then keep going.
‘Cause we know that if you fix the input, the output will fix itself.
Rooting for you,
Jess + Team Valeo