Small Wins Over Motivation

They work.

Photo by Lindsay Henwood on Unsplash

Waiting for motivation to strike is not a wise strategy when our big projects have deadlines. This is a fundamental lesson I apply as a College Counselor, in guiding high school seniors to complete their college applications.

And we carry this habit of waiting for motivation throughout adulthood.

Thanks to neuroplasticity: we can adapt, change, and evolve. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to adapt, changing its structure and functions in response to environmental changes.

Then, there’s self-directed neuroplasticity. Our awareness of the brain’s “plastic” nature and how it can influence the body over time allows us to be more intentional. Putting effort into our goals that are set from a deeper level of consciousness than our desire-centered goals is better and healthier. It can bring the best version of ourselves, compounded over time.

But for any behavioral change to stick, it must be done slowly in small amounts. And consistently allow ourselves to feel every small win.

Through these small wins, we make big habit changes over time.

One strategy that works well is gradually guiding my students to accomplish one tiny task at a time. It works for me, and it works for them. While filling out an entire application, including…