Summary

The article discusses the importance of making incremental changes for personal growth and recovery from addictive behaviors, emphasizing the compounding effects of small, consistent improvements.

Abstract

The author of the article advocates for a gradual approach to personal change, drawing parallels to the process of recovery from addiction. Highlighting the effectiveness of incremental steps, the article suggests that small changes can lead to significant improvements in health, wellness, and overall life quality over time. The concept is illustrated by the metaphor of a ship's course deviating by just 1%, which can lead to a vast difference in destination. The article references Jeff Olson's book "The Slight Edge," which promotes the idea that simple disciplines, consistently applied, can lead to massive success and happiness. The author encourages readers to reflect on what they want to have less and more of in their lives, providing personal examples such as reducing caffeine intake and increasing physical activity. The article concludes with a call to action, inviting readers to consider their own desires for change and to take the first step towards those changes.

Opinions

The author believes that drastic changes are not always necessary or sustainable for recovery and personal development.
Incremental changes are seen as more effective and long-lasting compared to drastic measures.
The author suggests that the process of change is a journey that requires patience and consistency, akin to working the twelve steps in a recovery program.
There is an emphasis on the importance of self-awareness and recognition of one's needs and desires as a foundation for change.
The author acknowledges the challenge of wanting things that may not be beneficial (e.g., eating sugary and fatty foods) while also understanding the value of healthier choices.
The article conveys optimism about the potential for personal growth, suggesting that anyone can initiate positive changes in their life regardless of age or fear.
The author expresses a personal commitment to making incremental changes, such as drinking mint tea and extending a daily walk, serving

Middle-Pause Pump Priming Prompt

What Do you Want Less of? What Do You Want More of?

Incremental changes turn quantity into quality over time

**Drinking a little more eater and a little less caffeine works! Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash**

Sometimes drastic change is called for.

Stopping the use of an addictive substance or behavior for instance. It’s a life-saving, life-changing act.

It’s one thing to get off our drug of choice. It’s another thing to stay off our drugs of choice. That’s where recovery comes in.

And recovery is not something we can do all at once. It’s a process. A step-by-step process — pun intended.

Before we even start working the twelve steps we may need to read the Big Book of whatever program we’re in. Before we read the book, we need to get our butts to the meeting where we learn why that’s a good idea.

Before we get to the meeting we need to find out where the meetings are — in person or online. And when. Before that, we need to know why.

See how all of these are incremental steps, one leading to the next?

That’s why I asked the question the way I did.

I could have asked, what do you need to stop doing? What do you need to start doing? Either way, the answer may look the same.

I may need to stop drinking caffeine and start drinking more water. A lot more.

However, I’m not willing to cut the caffeine out altogether, even if that would be better for my health. Is there a yet in there somewhere? Perhaps?Eventually?

Who knows. But what I can say is, I am willing to look at, which means notice and count, my caffeine consumption and consider cutting back. And drink more and more water.

The Slight Edge Approach to Change

In his book, The Slight Edge, author Jeff Olson advocates for incremental changes. Why? They add up over time, and they stick better than their more drastic cousins.

Incremental changes speak to trajectory.

If a ship is even 1% of course it doesn’t sound like much. But if you follow the trajectory of that 1%, the gap between the course they should be on and the one they’re on gets bigger and bigger and bigger. They get farther and farther away from the destination they think they’re headed for.

It works the other way, too.

Those incremental changes for improvement compound as well.

Like the way compounding interest used to work with our savings accounts. Remember that?

If we were able to take advantage of savings accounts or certificates of deposits back when they offered 3, 5, 7% interest rates, over the years we could double and triple our savings. It paid to invest.

Along the same lines, the incremental changes in our lives enhance our health, our wellness, our vitality, our endurance, our physical condition, our strength, our peace of mind, our trust, our self-confidence, our friendships, our organization, etc.

Any time you see what looks like a breakthrough, it is always the end result of a long series of little things, done consistently over time. ― Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness

So here’s this week’s Middle-Pause Pump Priming Prompt: What do you want (or need) less of? What do you want (or need) more of?

Once again, I am happy to go first.

I need less caffeine, less time sitting at the computer, less sugar, fewer carbs, less doubt, less worry, less stress.

I want less pressure, less fear, less emotional eating when I’m not hungry, less resistance to change.

On the flip side, I need to drink more water, eat more protein and veggies earlier in the day. I need more sleep. I need more exercise and movement.

I need to spend more time taking care of my apartment. I need stronger boundaries and clarity about my priorities so I can implement those boundaries. I need to remember to breathe deeply more often.

Do I want everything I need? Not necessarily. But at least I recognize these things would be good for me.

What do I want?

I want my cake and eat it too. I want to be able to eat all the sugary and fatty things I crave with no ill effects. Pie in the sky, right?

I also want world peace and an end to injustice and oppression. I want a whole and healthy planet where all living things coexist with respect and appreciation.

Okay, now that that’s clear, what do I want more of that is readily within my control?

I want to make more time for creative art play. I want to get up and move around more, dance more. I want to be a better daughter for my mother, as well as a better sister and aunt.

I want to speak my mind more freely. I want the willingness to travel when it’s safer to do so. I want to spend more time in prayer, reflection, and conscious communion with Spirit. I want to live my life fuller, deeper, and more mindfully.

Wow! That’s a tall order.

But the first step in changing is knowing what I want to change. And why. I assume if we put something on our list, we have an idea why or at least can lean into allowing that why to anchor itself in our hearts.

Once we’re aware of what we want, we can make those incremental changes. For example, I am about to go make myself a cup of mint tea. After that, I will go on my walk and add one more block to it.

Before I do all that, I’m going to remind you one more time what the questions are in hopes that you’ll reflect on them, whether or not you write about them. Here they are: What do you want (or need) less of? What do you want (or need) more of?

As always, we look forward to hearing from you!

Here’s how to do the thing you think you’re too old or scared to do.

Marilyn Flower writes political humor and satire to delight socially and spiritually conscious folks. She’s a regular columnist for the prison newsletter, Freedom Anywhere, where she writes about faith and prayer. Five of her short plays have been produced in San Francisco. Clowning and improvisation strengthen her resolve during these crazy times. Stay in touch!