October 2023
One step at a time.
Small steps will get you there.
You may have heard phrases like this before. And what does it mean in light of last week where we are focused on: Knowing what you can handle so you can keep pressing on doing what you can, where you are with what you have?
It means baby steps. It means things you can do – preferably in 5 minutes or less that are the action steps of doing what you can with what you have.
I am a fan of super small – actually, to me, five minutes is WAY too long. It’s 3 minutes or 1 minute really. That helps me not just take action, but keep taking action.
And taking lots of different actions.
Some say that you should focus on just one thing and make that what you do, make that your action. You know, laser focus, sunlight burning paper sort of action. Because, in theory, that’s going to make the biggest difference.
I subscribe to a different theory. Lots of different small actions. Teeny tiny action – all over the place.
I don’t get bored. And maybe this random thing over here is going to be the kindle that lights the fire.
Many times we think we know what actions to take and what they are going to accomplish for us. But how many times has your result come from somewhere or something you would have never thought about?
My action(s) are always focused on one main goal. That stays the same. It’s the action steps I take to get there that I vary accordingly.
One action step taking 20 minutes may or may not get me there. 20 action steps down different paths may surprise me and get me there faster. Or slower – but at least I learned a lot and again, didn’t get bored.
Small steps have to work for you – otherwise you won’t work them.
Who cares what people say? Who cares what the productivity and life hacks say? Who cares what I say?
You shouldn’t. You should make small steps toward whatever it is you want for you.
If you aren’t interested and excited in taking them – make them smaller.
If they feel overwhelming – make them smaller still.
If you would rather do anything else – make them even smaller and/or ask the question, is this even where I want to go?
I think 99% of the time when there are small steps we don’t want to do, it’s usually because it is not us behind the wheel but someone else. Adults are no different than kids, we don’t like being told what to do.
And our goals and dreams shouldn’t be any different.
Feel like you need to lose weight and are not willing to take the step to make the necessary calls?
Do you really want to do this?
Don’t want to write the supporting reasons you should get the raise when you get in the interview?
Do you even want it?
Afraid to go after your dream? Afraid it’s not yours or what people would say?
Keep asking the questions until you get down to it. You will KNOW when you get that answer. Your heart and gut will tell you.
Break it down to simple, small, succinct steps AND ask the tough, tender, timely questions about them.