one seduction you must avoid!

Why are we so entranced with make-over photos? That quick flip from before to after is such a thrill!

Those fun photos fuel our fantasy that a dramatic turnaround is easy. But here is a good reason to steer clear of that enchantment. They gloss over the hours of work, dozens (or hundreds of dozens) of small decisions, and gritty struggle in bringing us to the “after.”

Rather than inspiring us, focusing too much on the “after” can grind all action to a halt if we don’t see quick results.

• “I have been stretching every day for a week and still can’t do the triangle pose so that yoga program is clearly a waste of time!”

• “My retirement account is still paltry, even after saving for a year, so I think I’ll just spend that money on a trip to France instead.”

• “Our inclusivity plan isn’t really working because we still don’t have a truly diverse team yet, so let’s just give up on those hiring efforts.”

The most powerful change is the aggregate of many tiny increments. The “after” usually takes time. It’s not sexy. It’s not speedy. It’s often sweaty and lonely. Don’t let the lure of the quick fix or the dramatic “after” hold you back from taking small actions.

Every

Single

Day.