Six Weeks
A useful heuristic from @mdotdoc
It takes six weeks to create an overuse injury
This rule of thumb works very well and has a number of implications - particularly if you are sick or injured on a six-week cycle!
Before undertaking a new initiative, I remember the good doctor's advice and ask myself...
Do I think I can sustain this initiative for six weeks?
Here's an example...
I want to do a lot of skiing next winter. I know that my limiters are quickness, anaerobic endurance, balance and "all-three-at-the-same-time".
I spent an afternoon researching my options to address my limiters. In researching the plans, I realized that I lacked both the will, and the capacity, to do what was required.
Circling back to the six-week heuristic... I came up with a plan -- 12 traditional strength workouts and 12 plyometric workouts. Each session is 15-30 minutes long.
The total commitment is 8 hours out of 42 days.
Seems tiny.
Three weeks in... I'm getting it done, just!
Long-term progress comes from keeping small promises to yourself via daily action.
The habit of one positive step, daily, is more important than the height of the step.