You’ve often come up with goals and aspirations for your life, but you’ve found that coming up with them is far easier than coming up with a plan -- and even more difficult is following through. It’s easy when the motivation is high, but after the inspiration wanes, follow-through becomes much more difficult.
For example, take that diet you were so excited about. You were able to follow through for a few weeks, then your motivation faded and it became a distant memory in the past.
Then there was that time when you decided to drink eight glasses of water a day, only to realize a few weeks later that you don’t know what happened but you sure weren’t following through with that goal either.
Why is it that some people can set a goal and follow through and others struggle the entire way?
Well, it could have to do with Goldilocks. Whaaat? Goldilocks? “What does she have to do with it?” you ask.
We’re all familiar with the story about the little girl, Goldilocks, who goes into the house of an unknown owner, only to find three bowls of porridge on the kitchen table. After tasting each one, she found one was too hot, one was too cold, but the last bowl of porridge was “just right”.
According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, “just right” goals and action plans are a major key in maintaining motivation and that the Goldilocks Rule states that “humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.”
He uses playing tennis as an example. If you love tennis and want to play a serious match, playing with a four-year old may not be your best bet. You’ll quickly get bored because it’s too easy. On the other hand, if you play with a professional tennis player, you’ll quickly lose motivation because it’s too difficult.
Now, consider playing someone who is more matched to your skill level. You win a few points and you lose a few, but in the end you have a chance of winning. But you really have to try. You become really interested in what you are doing, your focus narrows and suddenly the distractions outside the court no longer matters. You find yourself fully invested in winning the match.
This is an example of what Clear calls the Goldilocks Rule. You’re motivated because you are right on the edge of your ability. It’s not too hard and not too easy. It’s just right.
How can the Goldilocks Rule help you maintain peak motivation?
Remember, research has shown that we experience peak motivation when we’re working on tasks that are right on the edge of our current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.
This week, identify a good habit that you’ve started or a habit you want to start. Maybe it’s drinking more water, getting more exercise, or taking deep breaths when you’re stressed. Then, increase your effort just slightly -- to just the right amount for you. Not too much. Not too little. Just right. Make it challenging, but not so easy that you don’t have to work at it.
Then, each week look at that area and readjust so you are making “just right” choices. Stacked on top of each other, these “just right” choices will lead you to that life you’ve always wanted.
What is your Goldilocks Habit that will move you forward?
Let’s do this together!
