How to Solve the Bigger Problems by Doing Less

For many years doctors and scientists dreamt of finding a single cure for all types of cancer.  However they only started to make real progress when Sidney Farber, now known as the Father of Modern Chemotherapy, decided to focus on trying to find only a cure for leukaemia and due to narrowing his search made significant progress against this disease. 

The results that came from this than was used as a foundation to help other scientists to fight other types of cancer.  By making the problem smaller, Farber discovered solutions that could be used to treat the bigger problem. 

 This central concept of solving the bigger problem by first tackling smaller ones can be used in all our daily lives as well.  Problems can occur in our lives and can be seen as too big to cope with at first glance and we brush it aside to do later when we 'have more time' but this can then allow it to become even bigger, which than can become too overwhelming to cope with, leading to panic and distress.  By solving a smaller part of the problem can help solve the larger one and make it feel much more manageable and put you back in control. 

 For instance if you want to improve your diet, don't try to change everything all at once. Start with cutting out all fizzy drinks or change them to 'diet'.  Do this for a few weeks until it's a habit and than move on to change another part of your diet.  If you want to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, increase by one fold.  Once this becomes part of your eating habit, then repeat.  You're be eating your 5 a day in next to no time.  

Similarly if you want to exercise more regularly than start with going to the gym 1-2 times per week or/and using the stairs at work rather than the lift.  Do this for a number of weeks, once it becomes a habit move on to another aspect of it, such as increasing the frequency or volume.


So you can see if you can break down a big problem into smaller ones it can become much more manageable, less stressful and reduce the risk of failure.
 
I  borrowed this concept from www.jamesclear.com this is a fantastic website and he has some great ideas on how you can time manage your life better and improve your lives.