Everyone is going through something right now. Coming out of 2020 into 2021, everyone is still struggling even though this is a new year. It may be physically, financially, emotionally, socially, relationally, spiritually, professionally, and any other word you can think of ending in …lly. Whatever it is, it has been and will continue to be hard.
So, what do we do? We take a small step! Some people do not like the idea of a small step. Some want big goals, new resolutions, great accomplishments. But perhaps all we have the ability and capacity to do right now is a small thing, a smaller goal, a smaller accomplishment, a minuscule to-do list; and that is more than enough.
“Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.”
Squire Bill Widener
This means that we do not need to be anyone different than who we are right now in this moment. We do not need to start in any other place than where we are right now. We can take our small step right where we are, with who we are right now. No need to focus on the cant’s, shoulds, or what-ifs. Focus on what we can do, what we do accomplish, what goals our circumstances currently allow. We do not need to fix anything before we get started. There are so many things we can do if we break down our goals and ideas into smaller, doable steps. Are you ready to take yours?
It does not mean you have to abandon your bigger goals, and your grand dreams, but one small step takes you further towards them. Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” So, begin your journey now with a small step.
Here are what some small steps might look like during the new year?
- Embrace small steps as a lifestyle to help build your resiliency.
- Look how much you have been through and survived this past year. That is resilience. You have done it, and you can keep doing it.
- Create smaller steps in your to-do lists and break down your goals.
- Take a goal you have and break down into a more manageable task. Break the goal or task down into the most miniscule way and complete that one part of it.
- Take small steps to your self-care.
- I know, with the new year comes new resolutions. That is fine, just make them doable. You will not run a 5K next month, but a 15-minute walk two times this week is more than you have done last week.
- Do self-Care throughout the day.
- Self-Care is not always a grand plan. Try some of these small things: listing three things that you are grateful for today, two things that went well, one thing you accomplished, or lighting a candle, washing your hands and enjoying the warm water and smell of the soap, it can be closing your eyes and listening to your favorite song. Pace these things throughout your entire day and refresh as you go.
- Be kind to yourself.
- Be proud of yourself when you accomplish your small task, and focus on what you did get done, not what you did not get done. Praise your effort, especially on hard days; and give yourself grace on the days you barely make it because you made it!
Now, what is your small step for today?
