By Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.
Question: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. This bit of folk humor is so true. No matter what task we have to tackle, we often can’t do it all at once. We can, however, take small steps toward completing the task. This is true for finding a new job, organizing your house and any number of other challenges you may face. You take action one step at a time.
I often ask my clients “What’s the next step?” This question gets you thinking about taking a particular action and this keeps the process moving. No matter what your challenge is, or how overwhelming it seems, you can ask yourself, “What’s the next step?” Asking this question will get you thinking about what you CAN do and what step you can take toward your particular challenge.
Thinking about “the next step” is a more manageable way to get you taking action. The question acknowledges the fact that there might be more than one step; in fact, there may be a whole process involved in resolving the issue or facing the challenge. Thinking about the “next step” takes you to figuring out “how” you are going to do it. And thinking about “the next step” brings you closer to a commitment to take action. In fact, I often ask people to tell me what they plan to do as their “next step.” That actually serves as a commitment to take that next step.
There’s something about “next step” that seems more manageable, and less overwhelming than asking someone to take action. And step by step, people find themselves taking action and resolving issues that seemed so difficult, tasks that seemed insurmountable, and challenges that seemed impossible. Bite by bite, that elephant gets eaten.
If you are ready to take the next step, follow these simple steps to create action toward YOUR goal:
1. Think about a challenge (large or small) that you are facing in your life right now.
2. Ask yourself “What’s the next step I need to take?”
3. Tell someone–a friend, a co-worker or family member–what that next step is for you and commit yourself to doing it.
4. After you’ve taken that “next step,” congratulate yourself for taking action!
5. Then ask yourself, “What the next step I need to take?”
You might be surprised at how easy taking action becomes…
© 2012 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.
Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach, trainer and owner of Inner Resource Center, LLC in Maryville, TN. She has more than 33 years of experience helping people overcome obstacles and self-sabotage by using her solution focused approach. She is dedicated to helping people find the resources they need to transform their lives. To get additional free tips and challenges for reaching your goals from InnerResourceCenter.com.
