U is for Undercommit, Overachieve

 undercommit, overachieve

“Undercommit, overachieve.”

It’s not exactly what we’re used to hearing in our hyper-striving culture, but it’s advice I treasure from a writing teacher.

Every week when we went around the room to commit to what we’d do before the next writing class, our teacher would encourage realism: “How much time are you spending writing now? None? OK, how about one hour once instead of several hours every day in the next week?”

My Weight Watchers leader does the same: “If you’re not exercising at all currently, will you really go to the gym on a daily basis?”

One small commitment can grow into so much more.  A massive overhaul, though? That’s just a set-up for failure. If you don’t believe me, just ponder what happens with all those New Year’s resolutions!

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 “Give it your all!” or “Undercommit, overachieve” —

Which speaks more loudly to you?

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