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One French Fry At A Time

By
Real Estate Agent with NextHome First Choice Realty 0513954

Recently while reading some e-mails I came across an interesting way to lose weight, not to mention change your life.  In his book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way, psychologist Robert Maurer tells how he lost weight.  No, he didn't go on a fad diet, count calories or start a regimented exercise program.

So how did he do it?  He simply threw away one French fry from his plate.  Soon it became two, then three or four.  He simply threw away a small portion of whatever he was eating.  Using this method, Maurer lost 45 pounds in 18 months.

Often we have goals that are overwhelming.  It might not be losing weight.  Maybe you want to learn a new language, strengthen your career skills, or learn to play a musical instrument, get out of debt, write a book, build a house, or double your income.  The overall goal is big but could you tackle it one step or one French fry at a time?

The article I read said, if you read about 10 minutes a day you will read an average book a month.  If you write one page a day, you will have a book ready to print in six months.  If you stop three negative comments a day from coming out of your mouth, in 90 days you will have saved the world from 270 negative blows.

Take some time this month to break your goals down into small steps.  Start walking one step at a time toward your goal.  It may be a long journey but it will be worth it.  And remember, it is always easier to walk with someone.  Find a friend who will encourage you to keep going. 

Think of all the things you can accomplish by throwing away those French fries. You may find you see a brand new you.

Tamara Perlman
Referral Network Inc. - Truckee, CA

Hi Valerie--

Great advice.  You mean I could have written several books or hundreds of blogs by this time???  Aaargh!  I'll have to get busy!

Feb 11, 2009 03:43 PM
Brenda Harmon
Century 21 Beal, Inc College Station, Texas - College Station, TX

Valerie,

And if you break a french fry in half you are cutting calories!

JK.  I am going to have to start writing a page a day.

Feb 11, 2009 03:47 PM
Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee
SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061 - Baltimore, MD
Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068

Reminds me of the old joke about how to eat an elephant...one bite at a time!

Feb 11, 2009 03:48 PM
Valerie DoBrava
NextHome First Choice Realty - Grand Prairie, TX
Your Key to Real Estate

Hi Tamara,

I thought it was pretty interesting when I read it.  I'm like you in thinking I could have written several books and lost the weight!  Dang, I knew them French fries were tricky! 

Feb 11, 2009 03:49 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Yeap, but you have to be so organized and disciplined, and this is not my virtue.

On the other hand maybe it is a good thing. Just imagine how many more books we would have, and how many more trees it would take, and how this would affect the environment, so maybe eating that extra french fry is not such a bad thing after all?

Feb 11, 2009 03:58 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Valerie:  There is much wisdom in what you say.  Now... the trick is to get everyone to buy into it.  Oh, if it could only happen... but then again, the only ones we can control... are ourselves.  Thanks for sharing.

Feb 11, 2009 04:26 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Valerie,

You are right about it is one item at a time.,,....I went to time blocking this year and it works.....it requires less time on AR but it works.....and the weight loss lesson is a good one.....the weight loss resolutions group here at AR has helped me achieve a pretty decent rate of success so far this year.......

Feb 11, 2009 10:30 PM