Next Step

Like many of you, I have an ambitious list of things I’d like to accomplish. Some of these things are small and don’t require much energy. Some however seem so large that it’s not as obvious how they will get done. This can be overwhelming because there are so many choices for moving ahead. Lots of thinking has gone into these goals. For many of us, sometimes the thinking zaps our energy. At other times sometimes it energizes us.

At some point, though, in order for anything to actually happen, action needs to occur. This often begins with the next step. That forward movement can provide the momentum needed to propel us closer to our goal.

So right now for you, what is the one thing you’d like to accomplish? Whatever it’s size, try to determine your next step. Don’t be concerned that you don’t know all the steps. It’s OK to figure that out as you go. This is especially important because you’ll most likely need to make adjustments and be flexible along the way. In addition, if you let yourself get too detailed at the beginning, that detail could paralyze you from taking any action.

Just have enough of an idea of what you’re moving towards. Then pick one thing to bring you closer to that goal. See what happens when you do that. Keep going with the next step, the next and then another. Before you know it, you’ll be entrenched in the pursuit of your goal. You’ll be learning as you go and making new decisions along the way. You are no longer just thinking. You are now taking action.

As Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step.”