When our approach to problems is too grand (“I need a new career!”), we invite frustration. But when we aim for tiny tweaks (“I’m going to have one discussion a week with someone outside my field.”), the cost of failure is pretty small. When we know we have little to lose, our stress levels drop, and our confidence increases. We get the feeling “I can handle this,” which helps us become even more committed and creative. Equally importantly, we tap into the fundamental human need to make progress toward meaningful goals.
