Start Small, Start Now

I'm doing some business training at the moment and its all about five year plans and dreaming big.... I've been finding it very difficult as my business has really grown organically and I've never really had a big plan in mind.

Sarah Parker Fitness has just turned twelve and when I started out 12 years ago I certainly didn't envisage where I am now. Especially as I only became a fitness instructor to supplement my acting "career"! But I'd left teaching classes at various gyms to have my first child and hadn't really started back again when I was approached to set up some community classes. So I started my two classes and it was really just to keep my hand in before I got back to the gyms. Who knew that it would grow to 18 sessions a week (those two classes still going strong!), expand to specialise in pre and post natal, become my sole income and that I would never return to work in the gyms!

I think if you'd told me that then I wouldn't have thought it was possible!

But it's been gradual changes. I've learnt things and implemented them. I've changed things that didn't work. And I've responded to what people want.

A Tim Minchin graduation speech came up on my Facebook feed recently and it really helped me with my planning. He's not a fan of big dreams - "I advocate passionate dedication to the pursuit of short term goals. Be micro ambitious. Work with pride on whatever is in front of you - you never know where you might end up."

So I'm approaching my future business plans in the same way. Small steps, done to the best of my ability, seeing where it leads me.

And I've been thinking about this health wise too. It's coming up to that time where people let their health take a back seat to the big Christmas to do list they have. Then when New Year comes round it will be all about massive changes that are almost unattainable.

But why wait? Start small but start now. Don't make big plans that are hard to accomplish and frustrate or disappoint you. Start with a small goal, celebrate your small wins, and keep going. Add some protein to your breakfast. Cut out one caffeinated drink a day. Walk a bit more. Go to bed a bit earlier. Choose something that is a stretch for you but only just. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

This time last year I put on some special relaxation based Pilates classes. Someone came along for a trial session and then signed up for a month. This led her to attending weekly for the year. Which inspired her to make small changes to her food habits. Which has led to her losing a significant amount of weight. All from one small step.

Start small, start now, see where it takes you!

0 comments

There are no comments yet. Be the first one to leave a comment!

Leave a comment