The Power of Small Changes
每天进步一点点
Dream big. Shoot for the moon. Go big or go home.
理想很远大,要么实现它,要么回家待着。
We’ve heard it all. I’m all for making big changes, big advancements and big steps but too often we think we need to make them all at once. We have an all or nothing mentality.
我们听说过不止一次了。人们常说,我希望自己的生活有大的改善,发生好的变化。但我们总是认为我们需要一下子做到这所有的改变。我们只想着大的改变,什么也不做。
Consider an angle. At the point the lines originate the distance between them is fairly small. Extrapolate those lines and the further you get away from the originating point the distance between those lines grows. Nudge one line out further and the distance grows, negligible at first but the further away from that center point the distance is even greater.
拿几何学中的“角”来说,在角的顶点处,两条边之间的距离十分微小;将两条边向顶点以外不断的延伸则它们之间的距离就不断增大。起初,相差的距离微不足道,但两边距顶点处延伸的越远,两条边相差的距离就越大。
This is a great way to look at how small changes can result in huge changes overtime.
从这点上,可以看出那些小的改变是如何最终取得大的成效的。
Here are a few examples of how small changes or improvements can yield big results:
这儿有些例子能很好的说明每天一点点的改变或进步是怎样收获最终的成功的。
1. Does having a $5000 nest egg seem impossible? Don’t focus on the huge value you need to save. Instead focus on making a small change. If you’ve never saved a penny … start. Start small and save $20, $30 or $40 a week. Increase it slowly as you feel you can. At just $50/week ($200/month) in 2 years time you’ll have your $5000, plus interest earned. Not bad for something that seemed insurmountable initially.
1. 拥有5000美元的存款是不可能的事情吗?不要总想着那巨大的金额,考虑你要存那么多的钱。而是该想想如何化繁为简,做些小的改变。如果你现在连一分钱存款都没有的话,开始吧,从现在开始,每周存20元,30元,或者40元。在你能承受的范围,慢慢增加存款数额。那么,如果你每周存50(或者每月存200)的话,两年之后你就拥有5000美元的存款了,还有利息。看来,用这种方法对付那些起初认为无法解决的问题不赖哦。
2. Getting fit is another area where small changes can amount to huge changes. Take Leo for example. He’s lost 65 pounds over a course of a few years.
2.在健身方面,“每天进步一点点”理论又可以发挥功效了。以Leo为例,他在几年间减掉了65磅。
If he aimed to lose that amount all at once and as quickly as he could I suspect that he may not have achieved this level of success or if he had perhaps he wouldn’t have kept the weight off? (Well it’s Leo so probably :). But if your goal is to get fit, lose weight or eat better start small. Start by cutting out one bad food item a month, say a can of pop or a chocolate bar, stop eating after 7pm (when we’re typically less active), start walking for just 30 minutes each day etc … after several months of a small lifestyle change you’ll notice a big improvement.
我想,如果Leo采取的方法是在短时间内尽其所能的瘦身减肥,那么,他可能减不到现在这个效果;或者,就算减到了同样的程度,他也不会像现在一样把身材保持得这么好,不反弹。所以,如果你的目标是减肥瘦身,或改变不良的饮食习惯的话,从现在开始,每个月从你的饮食中减少一种不健康食物,如,一罐汽水或一个巧克力棒;下午7点以后不要吃东西(此时我们的活动量通常都很少);每天开始步行30分钟,等等.......几个月之后,你就会发现自己的生活习惯已经大大改善。
3. Decluttering and simplifying is yet another activity where we want it all done and we want it all done right now. While this may seem like a pretty easy thing to do (declutter and organize your space in a weekend), it really isn’t. You may become overwhelmed, stressed and make decisions you’ll later regret.
3. 整理和简化事物也是我们常常想一下子就完成的事情。虽然这些事看上去是多么的简单易行(比如,周末收拾一下家里),实际上却没那么容易。真正收拾起来你才会发现,它们常常会把你逼疯、令你郁闷、并后悔自己刚才的决定。
Alternatively, you could choose to tackle one drawer or one room each week. Make deliberate lasting changes that fit with the way you live. Doing just one little area at a time over the course of a couple of months you’ll be living in a more spacious and organized space.
相反的,你可以每周整理一个抽屉或一间屋子。根据生活喜好给家里的摆设做一些特别的改变。每次只整理家中的一小片区域。几个月之后,你就会住在一个宽敞而整洁的家中了。
The power of small actions shouldn’t be overlooked. While it may not seem like you’re making much progress or that what you’re doing is even worth it, in the end given enough time the changes can be huge.
千万不要忽视那每天做出的一点点的改变。或许表面看来你没有做什么大的成就,或者你做的这些微不足道。但时间会证明一切,最终,带给你的改变是惊人而巨大的。