Starting small, achieving big

As an "experiment" (those of you who are regular readers know I strongly recommend being a "student of you") this morning, I completed a mini-triathlon:

500 meter swim 16 mile bike 4 mile run

You see, I am writing an article for one of our publishers, and the topic is the title of this post. So, as a way to lean in to my own advice, and start small, I planned a training day accordingly.

Oh, check this out...this post is another way of "getting going" on this article! Just by sitting down to put this entry together, I've started the momentum to get this article started (and finished!).

One request: if you have a story of "starting small," please leave a comment below or email me directly!

Thanks...

Comments

[Bruce Bolden]

Some of the participants (most of them don't like the use of competitor) of this year's Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles in Death Valley!) have some interesting stories on their blogs. Click on a name on the current results page to find their blog/story:

http://dbase.adventurecorps.com/results.php?bw_eid=23&bwr=Go

David Goggins (Navy SEAL) story is pretty interesting. Unfortunately he had to drop out this year. This story about him and another participant ran in last week's San Diego Union Tribune.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080711-9999-1s11fitness.html

[Andy]

Jason

I started running approx 20 months ago after years of inactivity. My first "goal" was to run continuously for 10 mins, regardless of distance travelled. Once I could achieve this consistently I aimed to complete a run in 12 mins, then 15 mins and then in increments of 5 mins. What I got from this approach was belief. Once I "believed" I could consistently run 10 mins it allowed me to stretch myself to 12 mins. That still holds now - I believe I can run 30 mins and hence setting out for a 35 min run no longer phases me.

I know you have written before about increments - I guess this approach is a combination of starting small and then applying incremental improvements.

Good luck for the NY Tri!

All the best,
Andy

[Sharon]

Jason, my son is beginning violin lessons. Here's what I'm seeing.

In four weeks of lessons, part of each session is spent getting comfortable, physically comfortable, holding and balancing the instrument. There's something about not being distracted by your equipment.

I'm amazed at how he progresses, plucking strings, learning string names (with mnemonic reminders) and now on to bowing. Each week brings a review and a step forward. Practice--not heavy handed or timed, just time to explore and experience the process--during the week solidifies the lesson and sets the stage for the next.

I've see that watching him learn can teach me a few lessons about how to make progress on my own projects.