What’s the smallest thing you can do that will help you move toward your goal?

One of the best tricks I know for dealing with that feeling of not having enough time is to reduce the task. Tell yourself that you’re just going to do a little bit.

For example, when stuck on a writing project, just set a timer and write for fifteen minutes. When the timer goes off, take a 15 minute walk around the block, or spend 15 minutes doing a puzzle, then come back to your desk, set the timer for another 15 minutes and go again.

Another way to approach breaking a project down into smaller chunks is to reduce the size of the product.

So in the case of artmaking, cut your paper into 2 inch by 2 inch size sheets and just make small drawings or paintings. I was so pleased to see the power of this strategy when I did Amy Maricle’s inchie challenge last month.

For 10 days, I made a little piece of art and found it helpful to think, well it’s just a little thing. I will just fill this little page. And then every day, I posted them on Instagram, joining with many others who were doing the challenge.

One of the things I like about this approach is that you can see how the small bits can add up to something more.

As you do the little bits, you see patterns. You can also arrange 2 or 3 bits, attach them to a background and you have a big bit! There is something very powerful about the symbolism of using art to prove to yourself that making little bits, taking small steps can build momentum and lead to something meaningful.

I have seen this idea of doing little bits show up in various ways throughout the years. The artist SARK invites you to outsmart resistance by doing what she calls micro-movements.

A micro-movement can consist of just sitting down at your computer – as a step toward picking up a project, or putting on your shoes when you are trying to reboot a walking habit.

SARK has created a template called a micromovement wheel that you can fill out with tasks that will just take 5 seconds to 5 minutes to do, all related to moving a goal forward.

Dr. Jane Genovese shares another example here of how to use the micro-movement wheel.

So what about you? Is there something you are dreading, but really want to do to support your vision? How about making a list, a small one, of tiny steps you can take to move you in the direction you want to go?

And then ask yourself, What can I do to make the task needed even smaller, and more likely to accomplish?