What Matters Most #18: The Last Mile
Business Insider says that in a product's journey from warehouse shelf, to the back of a truck, to a customer doorstep, the "last mile" of delivery is the final step of the process — the point at which the package finally arrives at the buyer's door. In addition to being a key to customer satisfaction, last mile delivery is both the most expensive and time-consuming part of the shipping process.
In a similar manner, every noble intention you have ever had—be a kinder person, exercise more, check in on a neighbor, read a challenging book—is subject to a similar “last mile” sort of decision: you actually have to do it.
This is where the problem lies.
“You” are a complicated set of often-contradictory systems. Your brain has countless lofty goals, and your body wants more chocolate. Good intentions often fade.
In The Motivation Myth, Jeff Haden makes the case that motivation is not the spark that gets you going, but rather it is the result of success. Real motivation, he says, comes after you start. For this reason, he urges us to seek out tiny successes and build on them. Do one pushup a day. Start small and let the satisfaction you feel build into true motivation.
By the way, Jeff once told me how he did 5,000 pushups in one DAY (just to see if he could), so I listen pretty carefully to his guidance when it comes to tackling a big goal by starting with a really small one.