The Power of Micro-ambition versus Macro ambition

Mental health and wellbeing

Physical health and wellbeing

Many of us start the year with well-intentioned goals and statements in how we are going to make our lives better. I used to be one of them. And then I realised, in the depths of winter, I was not at my most positive or productive, so I pushed the goal setting back to March time.

We often set ourselves up for what I think, to fail, by setting big goals with no real plan of where we are, what we need to do to get to them and how to get there.

I am aware of the term micro-ambition as a term developed by Tim Minchin, which, is to pursue the goals that are right in front of you and not the big, all encompassing dream goal. His theory is that the big dream may never be achieved and doesn’t always lead to success. In comparison by working on small micro ambitions, such a completing a small daily project or a small step towards a bigger project, you are achieving a small increment of success. And as we know achievement breeds more achievement.

Last year I completed my first season of canicross event, albit as a participator and not what I would call a real competitor. I set goals and dreams of what I wanted to achieve assessed where I was at. And then I booked a fitness, flexibility, and stability test to assess what my body was currently capable of. I asked for help on suggested training plans, and worked through them. Week by week until I was at a level I wanted to be at. These training plans had weekly goals of three runs per week with one run a noticeable a longer run and gradually increasing in length. To focus, I only ever looked at that week’s distance and knew if I achieved that I was one step closer.

Through focusing on something small, achievable, and close time wise that I felt more confident, energetic, calmer and happier. The effects rubbed off into other areas of my life and I became content and happier. I felt a sense of community as I was meeting others and getting out into my local environment.

So from now on I am using micro-ambitions instead of the big dream ideas. Small steps, one at a time, knowing I am working towards raising standards for me. I am setting small daily tasks to achieve. I am aware that these small tasks will develop stronger standards and hopefully bring me towards my dreams.