Incrementalism: Achieving Big Things, Little by Little

As we approach the end of the year, the demands of work and life can leave us feeling busier and more tired than usual. It's often during these times that we struggle to make progress on larger goals and may even feel discouraged. Fortunately, there's a strategy that can help us overcome these challenges and successfully reach the finish line: the incremental approach.

The Power of Small Steps

In a yoga class many years ago, I heard a story that beautifully illustrates the concept of incrementalism. A wise teacher was instructing students on how to achieve the Hanumanasana (the splits), a pose that demands significant flexibility. Recognizing that most people can't attain full splits immediately, the teacher employed a clever technique.

The students began by attempting Hanumanasana with a stack of books placed under their front leg. Each day, before practicing, they would tear out a single sheet of paper from the book. This gradual reduction in height allowed them to slowly and safely deepen their stretch, eventually reaching the ground when all the pages were removed.

This story exemplifies the power of incrementalism—the practice of making small, consistent changes over time. I can personally attest to the effectiveness of this method. As a middle-aged office worker, I was able to achieve Hanumanasana through regular, incremental practice over the course of a few months.

The Benefits of Gradual Progress

In a world that often emphasizes instant gratification, it's easy to become disheartened when we don't see immediate results from our efforts. However, when it comes to ambitious goals, a gradual approach can be the most effective strategy. The key to achievement lies not solely in skill or motivation, but in our determination and persistence to keep moving forward, step by small step.

Incrementalism offers several advantages. First, it's often the most realistic way to bridge the gap between our current state and our desired outcome. Second, it cultivates patience, preventing us from rushing towards goals that may require time to fully develop.

While the benefits of incrementalism may be readily apparent for physical goals like improving flexibility, fitness, or strength, its applications extend far beyond the physical realm.

• Creativity: In creative pursuits, allowing ideas to percolate gradually can lead to a greater depth and breadth of concepts.

• Quality: A gradual approach provides opportunities for observation, learning, and adjustment, ultimately enhancing the quality of our work.

Incrementalism in Practice

During a recent yoga class, we practiced Yin Yoga, a style that involves holding poses for several minutes to increase flexibility and circulation in the connective tissues. As I held a pose, I noticed tightness in my quads, which helped me understand the source of my recent hip pain. This experience highlighted the value of a gradual, mindful approach in gaining self-awareness and making necessary adjustments.

Incrementalism is equally valuable in other areas of life. In teaching, breaking down information into smaller, more manageable chunks reduces cognitive overload, allowing learners to focus on the bigger picture. Similarly, when tackling large projects, an incremental approach facilitates problem-solving and insights as we witness the gradual emergence of results.

Personally, I rely on incrementalism to manage daunting tasks. For instance, writing articles for this blog while working full-time and parenting is often a challenge. To overcome this, I break down the writing process into smaller, more manageable steps, first doing research and taking notes, then stepping away while my mind processes the ideas unconsciously. On another day I’m ready to write an outline. I spread the writing out across multiple sittings, aiming to write just a few sentences at a time. I finish the process with editing and publishing. This approach enables me to maintain consistency and produce new content regularly.

Incrementalism is also a powerful tool for combating overwhelm and lack of motivation. Instead of fixating on the enormity of a task, we can simply focus on the next small step or what we can realistically achieve today. Recently, I’ve been migrating my website to a new platform, a process that involves manually transferring all my existing content. Despite my busy schedule, I set a manageable goal of migrating five articles per day. Some days, I exceeded this goal, but the key was that the small, time-bound task was less likely to be derailed by lack of time or energy.

Embracing the Journey

As you navigate the busyness of life and strive towards your goals, remember the power of incrementalism. By breaking down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps, you can make consistent progress, cultivate patience, and ultimately achieve success. It's not just the giant leaps, but the steady, determined steps that lead you to your destination.