• Next Step Is—Another Step!
Next Step Is—Just Another Step!
“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs…one step at a time!” ~ Joe Girard
The next step is easiest when you are running, but finding the next step is harder when you just stop, or get stuck! Then you might just discover how illusive the next step can be. So you ask, “What is the next step?” The next step often is something so small, so easy, that we miss it. It is just…another step, not a hop, skip or jump.
“What can I do next?” Anything, any movement of any kind, in anyway is what is often needed. We think we cannot deal with stuff, because it will take too much time, or too much effort now. This is because we are looking at the end product. We need to focus on keeping the project “moving”—just doing something small, frequently!
Being stuck can immobilize your forward progress, so figuring out what to do next can free the logjam. Every thing can stop, if you have no clue what’s the next step. I have found that developing a plan of steps can be initiated by finding just the next step, be it ever so small.
Here are some options for figuring out your next step, if you are stuck.
- Keep the project in front of you daily.
- Get some outside help.
- Talk about your situation.
- Brainstorm “what if” scenarios.
- Do Research on the idea.
- Has anyone else done this?
- Read up on the issues.
- Find a professional or authority.
- Google search for related projects.
- Pray for insight to solve what’s next.
- Find someone who has done it.
- Close your eyes, visualize the possibilities, brainstorm ideas.
- Find a suitable metaphor to explain what the problem is like.
- Consider what could make the impossible possible.
- Commit to think on paper, collect thoughts and ideas in a file folder.
- Become accountable to someone who will champion your process.
- Keep on asking, seeking and knocking, persistence counts!
- It’s small steps, not giant leaps!
Lessons Learned:
1. Picking the next step is progress. Taking just another step moves you forward. You can achieve your goals from the collection of small steps.
2. Look back on your progress! This may yield clues going forward. What actually worked—how and why? A turtle is a plodder who moves with rhythmic steps.
3. Your achievable plans come from this next step recorded in your “To Do” List.
4. A good leader must be able to figure out just what the next step involves when they are stalled, stuck or immobile. Do your homework! Move the Rock!
“You do not have to see the whole staircase in order to take the next step!”
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