Do You Prefer to Aim Big or Aim Small? | Gretchen Rubin [Skip to content](#content) [ ![](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gretchenrubin-logo-768x344.png) ](https://gretchenrubin.com) - September 30, 2013 - [Self-Knowledge](https://gretchenrubin.com/tag/self-knowledge/) # Do You Prefer to Aim Big or Aim Small? ![The Happiness Project Blog Logo](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/GR_THP_Blog_2006-2014_header_image.png) With any kind of **happiness project** or habits change, we need to figure out what kind of change at which to aim. For instance, I think it’s important to be very **concrete and specific** about what you’re asking of yourself: “Plan lunch with a friend once a week” instead of “Have more fun.” Along the same lines, research suggests that some people have better success changing a habit when they **start small**. A series of small but real accomplishments gives people the energy and confidence to continue. For instance, a person who wants to write a novel might resolve to write one sentence each day. Or a person who wants to start running might resolve to run for one minute. These little steps also help to shape the patterns of our days, to make room for the new activity. The habit of the habit is even more valuable than the habit itself; that is, being in the habit of going to the gym is more valuable than any one particular work-out (this is related to the[ **tricky one-coin argument**](http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/03/do-you-make-excuses-for-yourself-based-on-the-one-coin-argument-i-do/)). Keeping a habit, in the smallest way, protects and strengthens it. I write every day, even if it’s just a sentence, to keep my habit of daily writing strong. On the other hand, research suggests–and common experience confirms–that some people do better when they’re more ambitious. **Sometimes, counter-intuitively, it’s easier to make a major change than a minor change**. When a habit is changing very gradually, we may lose interest, give way under stress, or dismiss the change as insignificant. There’s an excitement and an energy that comes from a big transformation, and that helps to create a habit. A person might be better off giving up sugar than giving up dessert at lunch. A person who wants to wake up earlier than the usual 8:00 a.m. time might find it easier to start waking up at 6:00 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. In some situations, and for some people, [ **lowering the bar** ](http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2011/02/lower-the-bar/)helps; sometimes **raising the bar** helps. What works better for you? To aim big or to aim small? To make a small change that’s easily within your grasp, or to aim at a bigger, more exciting challenge? *From 2006 through 2014, as she wrote* The Happiness Project *and* Happier at Home*, Gretchen chronicled her thoughts, observations, and discoveries on* The Happiness Project Blog. #### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE ![a yellow notepad on a keyboard](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gpplhq-fyva-768x512.jpg) [What is Obliger-rebellion? Signs, causes, and how to handle it](https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/identifying-obliger-rebellion/) ![A hand with googly eyes positioned to look like a face](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ksfv9njqvc8-768x512.jpg) [How to add more whimsy to your life this year](https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/why-whimsy-is-having-a-moment-2/) ![assorted-color concrete houses under white clouds during daytime](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/nrszruwqmoi-768x512.jpg) [Choosing a one-word theme for 2026](https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/your-one-word-theme-2026/) #### DISCOVER MORE # Like what you see? Explore more about this topic. - [Self-Knowledge](https://gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/self-knowledge/) # Interested in happiness, habits, and human nature? From renowned happiness expert and *New York Times* bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, the “Five Things Making Me Happy” newsletter is one of today’s most popular newsletters. You’ll get a weekly round-up of what’s making Gretchen happy, as well as practical tips, research, and resources about how we can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. Email Submit Manage Cookie Consent To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Marketing Marketing The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. - [Manage options](#) - [Manage services](#) - [Manage {vendor\_count} vendors](#) - [Read more about these purposes](https://cookiedatabase.org/tcf/purposes/) Accept Deny View preferences Save preferences [View preferences](#) - [{title}](#) - [{title}](#) - [{title}](#) Manage consent # Subscribe to Gretchen’s newsletter. Every Friday, Gretchen Rubin shares 5 things that are making her happier, asks readers and listeners questions, and includes exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes material. Email Submit ; ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1375714196636303&ev=PageView&noscript=1&cd%5Bpost_category%5D=Articles&cd%5Bpage_title%5D=Do+You+Prefer+to+Aim+Big+or+Aim+Small%3F&cd%5Bpost_type%5D=post&cd%5Bpost_id%5D=29967&cd%5Bplugin%5D=PixelYourSite&cd%5Buser_role%5D=guest&cd%5Bevent_url%5D=gretchenrubin.com%2Farticles%2Fdo-you-prefer-to-aim-big-or-aim-small%2F) [x](# "Close optin form")Subscribe to Gretchen's newsletter Every Friday, Gretchen Rubin shares 5 things that are making her happier, asks readers and listeners questions, and includes exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes material. We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time. Invalid email address Thanks for subscribing! [x](# "Close optin form") ![Blue and yellow pens on blue background](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-cropped-DSC5980-scaled-e1663786433795.jpg) Join more than One Million Subscribers # Get happiness delivered to your inbox. From renowned happiness expert and *New York Times* bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, the “Five Things Making Me Happy” newsletter is one of today’s most popular newsletters. You’ll get a weekly round-up of what’s making Gretchen happy, as well as practical tips, research, and resources about how we can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. [Privacy Policy]() Invalid email address Onward! Thank you for subscribing.