Taking things step by step

Making changes in your life can seem like an impossible dream.  The idea of making change, of what to do, how to get there – and even knowing what you want can all seem too much.  Where do you even start?

The way I tackle problems or goals like this – regardless of how big it might seem – is by breaking it down into steps.  Still too big?  Break it down into even smaller steps.  Just keep breaking it down until it something you can mentally wrap your head around without hyperventilating over the enormity of it all!

When you take things step by step, your focus is purely on what you’re doing next.  One thing at a time.  A 6km hike starts with one step.  Every single step is progress towards the end result.  Just focus on the next step or goal in front of you and move towards that.

For example, when I wanted to set up my own business I had absolutely no experience in that area and no idea of how to get there.  But I knew what I wanted – my seemingly impossible dream.  I wrote down all the things I thought I needed to do to get there.  Some of those things were simply written as research: find out about business structures, find an accountant who I could work with, research marketing avenues, find out what marketing is.  What I found out during research often generated more things I needed to do, and they went on my list.

I put my list in a general timeline order and grouped like things together: research, appointments, training I could attend.  Then I would do one thing every day such as book an appointment, attend an appointment, find business advice websites, read one or more business websites, borrow a book, attend training.  Every day was one step in my mind towards my end goal.  Every step got me closer to what I wanted to achieve.  Did I have all the answers when I started?  No.  Did I have all the questions or steps outlined when I started?  Again, no.  But I started.  I made a plan of what I knew and went from there: step by step by step.

What ‘impossible dream’ do you have for yourself?  What do you need to do to get there?  How could you break it down into smaller steps to make it manageable?

If you took one step every day, would it make a difference?

Need some help getting started?  Come and see me for a coaching strategy session and we can talk about what you’d like to achieve.
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Hope you have a fantastic week!
Gillian