305 — How to Make the Biggest Changes With the Smallest Steps With Author Eric Zimmer

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What if everything you believe about making big changes in your life is wrong? What if rather than a huge transformation, you’re better of taking a series of small steps toward a new life?
 
My guest today is Eric Zimmer, a behavior change expert, host of the award-winning podcast The One You Feed, and author of the new book How a Little Becomes a Lot.
 
Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:
 

• Eric’s story of change and what helped him along the way.
• The number one thing you should do when you get off track with your goals.
• Why treating change as a character flaw guarantees failure—and how to treat it as a learnable skill instead.
• The powerful parable of two wolves and how it dictates your daily choices.
• How to use the “80% rule” to extract maximum benefit from your new habits.
• Why planning for the exact moments your routine will break is crucial for your success.
• How to take action even when the voice of self-doubt is screaming in your ear.
• The exact approach to use when there isn’t a clear roadmap for improving your mental health.
• Why committing to just three minutes of daily practice is far better than aiming for thirty.

Key Takeaways:

• Change is a skill that can be learned through small, consistent actions. Trouble creating change isn’t a lack of willpower. 
• Self-doubt is an inevitable part of the change process. You can manage self-doubt by taking control of your self-talk.
• It’s important to plan for the obstacles you’re likely to face. That can help you sustain change and prevent yourself from backsliding. 
• Using visual tools, like marbles in a jar, can reinforce your good habits. 
• Emotional regulation is a key component in making any change.