This week while working with my clients, the same word has come up repeatedly.
“More”
I want/need to do more…insert the goal of your choice…reading, exercise, relaxing, sales calls, or whatever.
But what does “more” mean?
Breaking that sentence down, it’s clear there is a positive intention, a desire to engage in an activity that the client feels is important. It doesn’t matter if that’s driven by a sense of desire, guilt, need, or hope, there’s an intention to make a change for the better.
What stops us from turning that into action?
The problem is the word “MORE”.
I believe our brains struggle to motivate us to action because it’s too vague and too open-ended. We struggle to visualise it.
It is far easier to take action when we know more precisely how much effort we’re talking about together with how and when we’re going to do it.
Let’s use reading for the purpose of this example…
The starting point needs to be clarity on what “more” really means.
Ask yourself, how much reading are you doing now? Take an audit of your actions.
- None?
- Occasionally but not at any set times?
- 5 minutes a day before falling asleep?
Now it’s possible to define “more”.
How much would you like to do that is “more” than your current amount?
- Two chapters a week
- Thirty minutes every weekday
- An hour at the weekend
- A book a month
To supercharge our minds into action and commitment we need to go deeper still.
- When and where and how are you intending to take the action?
- Straight after my work day, in my favourite chair with a cup of my favourite drink so I can wind down?
- Every morning, in bed, as the first activity of the day before anything else so I’m inspired for the day?
- On Wednesday evenings at 7 pm when I have the house to myself, it’ll be some time for me?
- Every day while I’m eating my lunch to ensure I’m getting away from my computer?
Once those choices are made our mind can easily visualise doing the reading. You’ll have created a clear picture of it happening, will probably be feeling good about the prospect of doing it, and maybe have some excitement to get to that point and open your book.
You may have noticed I’ve purposefully linked the reading to other activities, like finishing work, waking up, lunchtime, or a specific day. By planning in this way we get a cue to start the reading because the other events are going to happen anyway. It won’t take long for the two actions e.g. lunch and reading to become intertwined and habitual. Soon you won’t have to put any effort into remembering or forcing yourself to read, it will happen automatically.
So, in conclusion, when do you find yourself wishing you could do “more” of something?
How can you change “more” into specific, measurable action and make it easy for yourself?
Want to change your vague language into powerful action? I can help
If you want help, get in touch, and let’s explore working together
As a personal effectiveness coach, I work with many people experiencing the same challenges as above. It’s amazing the difference having a strong support relationship has in achieving the changes they want. You can do it too.
