The Power of Gradual Change: How Small Steps Lead to Big Progress

In the previous video, I shared an important insight about self-improvement: the biggest mistake people make is being too eager to change. The more we rush, the slower our progress becomes. It’s natural to want quick results, but what if the secret to faster progress lies in slowing down? The key is gradual change. But what does that mean exactly?

Gradual change is the process of making small, incremental changes, then accepting each change before moving on to the next one. By taking small steps and embracing them, we can accelerate our growth in ways that might not be immediately noticeable. It may feel like nothing is changing today or even after a week, but when you look back after a month, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve grown.

Why Gradual Change Works

You might wonder, why is gradual change so effective? It has everything to do with how humans react to change. When we try to change too much too quickly, there’s often an underlying feeling of rejection or dissatisfaction with ourselves. We might think, “I don’t like who I am right now,” and that’s where the resistance comes from. Instead of forcing ourselves into immediate transformation, gradual change allows us to make tiny adjustments that don’t overwhelm us, letting us accept the process along the way. When we accept each change as it happens, the process becomes smoother and quicker.

Turning Theory Into Practice

While this theory sounds simple, putting it into practice can be tricky. So, how do we begin? Let me share a personal example. In my first year of practice, I committed to meditating for 30 minutes each morning and evening. At first, it took effort, but over time, meditation became as natural as eating or sleeping. There came a point when I didn’t meditate, I felt like I hadn’t eaten or slept—it just felt off. Meditation had become a habit, and I was improving every day without even thinking about it. I didn’t need willpower to make it happen.

Once meditation became part of my daily routine, I added Tai Chi. Slowly, it became as natural as meditation. After that, I incorporated tea ceremony, shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute), and other artistic practices into my life. Although it seemed like I was doing a lot, each practice fit seamlessly into my life, just like eating or sleeping.

The Power of Habit and Consistency

The beauty of this approach is that I didn’t need to rely on willpower. The habits became natural, and I found myself practicing without effort. Every day, I was improving because I was consistent. There was no struggle, no resistance, and no internal conflict. My progress was happening without me forcing it, and I could see tangible growth almost every month.

It’s easy to think that forming one habit is hard enough, so how could anyone possibly build so many habits? In the next video, I’ll dive deeper into this topic and share how you can start making small changes that lead to big results. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!