It Takes a Little Time

When something is started, it always starts with one step. Usually the steps are slow. A car starts in first gear going a few miles an hour and builds up to 50, 60, 100 mph. Even an ultra sports car takes time to go from 0-60! When beginning to train for a marathon, a runner doesn't start running 5K. A weightlifter doesn't begin with hundreds of pounds.


So I don't understand why we seem surprised when changing our money habits doesn't happen overnight. It is actually overwhelming to make a huge change like that, especially when those habits have been so long in forming and becoming entrenched in our way of life.

It always fills my heart with dread whenever I contemplate starting a big process -- like a new diet or exercise program. Even the time I decided to watch all episodes of a series in order, even that required an overview of the project and some planning!

We need to cut ourselves some slack. Make an appropriate list of expectations. Give grace when we make mistakes or miscalculations. Keep going even when it seems we aren't making any progress. Adjust, but DON'T GIVE UP!

The Titanic started to turn before it hit the iceberg. Sometimes we don't see what's in our path until we have no alternative but to hit it. That doesn't mean we don't bother to turn. We can limit the damage. We can brace for impact. We can learn from our choices.

Sometimes it takes time to recover. The longer something has gone on, the longer we should expect it to take to achieve changes. It can happen soon, but that is the exception, not the rule.