The “at least” excuse and taking things step by step.

There are a lot of times people use different excuses to make themselves feel better about not doing something… we have all fallen victim to this at some point I’m sure. In my profession I have heard many excuses; no time, no money, too tired, the list goes on and on.

There is one excuse I’ve heard a lot that on the surface, really doesn’t seem like an excuse… the phrase “at least”. It usually surfaces when a client tries, but isn’t doing everything they need to be to reach their goals, and in my opinion, doesn’t want to do what it takes. “I know I haven’t been eating the way I should, but at least I’m not eating McDonald’s anymore”. “I haven’t done this or that, but  at least I’m trying and taking it step by step”.  When someone says “At least”, that’s exactly what they are doing, the LEAST amount possible! Turn the at least into the MOST you can be doing!

Please don’t misunderstand me, I am certainly all for clients making better choices and taking the “first step” to reaching their goals, but when that first step is the one and only step, I need to speak up and add a dash of reality. One step won’t finish the race, one step won’t get you to the top of a mountain, there needs to be a second and a third, and so on.  Please, do make those small changes one step at a time, but at least finish the walk you’ve started.