One step at a time

I find myself telling my friends and family, clients and co-workers, that when tackling a problem, or looking to the future, you need to take things one step at a time. Looking too far ahead can not only feel overwhelming, it can be particularly unproductive. Because as much as we'd like to think we know what the future may hold, the truth is, we just can't. There are too many unknowns, too many unidentified factors, too many ways things could turn this way or that. So maybe the best thing to do is just take that next step. 

And while taking the next step may take some planning, it doesn't take as much as you might think. There are few times in life when making the next step decision will take you in a completely different direction depending on what you decide, and most of the time, making a decision today that you regret tomorrow, can be undone. But taking the next step, moving on from indecision, moving toward a goal or a glimmer of hope or what you want your future to bring, leads to building momentum. Momentum to carry you to the step after that, momentum to keep you from being stuck in neutral, momentum to get you to where you want to go or where life may take you. 

So when faced with an uncertain future or feelings of dread and uncertainty, don't dwell too much on what you think may happen, instead just decide what the next step is. It's more manageable, it's less scary, and it's a way to get you out of your head and into the here and now, your present, which is really all we have anyway. 

-a