This article has a simple—but transformational—message: Take the next right steps.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (Lao Tzu)
If circumstances—or your inactivity or choices—are keeping you from living the life you want, take the next right steps.
Do something. Get into motion. Then do something else and take another step. See how things are going and take another step. But keep making progress. You’ll be amazed how different things will look if you keep taking the next right steps.
“You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” (Indira Gandhi)
More specifically, what do we mean by next right steps?
- Next – Don’t try to figure everything out now or change your whole life all at once. Focus on progress and not perfection.
- Right – Think about your options and pick one that improves the situation. Head in what seems to be the best direction.
- Steps – Start. Get into action. Keep making progress in a positive direction. Take one step at a time. Live one day at a time.
Life works better when you give it your best effort. And keep doing that over and over. In time, you’ll notice that “doing your best, working hard, and doing what it takes” have become a mindset and part of who you are. You’ll feel better about life.
Do You Want to Make Life Better?
If you are mired in procrastination, take the next right steps! I understand procrastination; I battle it myself. But there is a solution. Do something. Take a step. Doing nothing make you unhappy, and the situation, whatever it is you are putting off, will get worse. If you take action, any action, you will feel better. I promise. Take a step.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” (Mark Twain)
If you are feeling blue, take the next right steps! Everyone is sad at times, and depression can be debilitating. But try to take a small step. Even a halting attempt to count your blessings or a text to help someone else may make you feel better. It can be hard, and I feel deeply for you. That’s why I encourage you to take a step.
“In order to design successful habits and change your behaviors, you should do three things. Stop judging yourself. Take your aspirations and break them down into tiny behaviors. Embrace mistakes as discoveries and use them to move forward.” (BJ Fogg)
If you are struggling to not drink or not use, take the next right steps! When I was thinking about quitting drinking, it seemed overwhelming. How do I stop doing something I’ve done for 30 years? For the rest of my life, are you serious? But it turned out I could quit for one day. And one more day. Two decades later, I’m still taking next right steps.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” (Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.)
If you are searching spiritually, and God seems distant, take the next right steps! You may not know what your spiritual journey will be like in the future. That’s okay. Simply decide to allow God to gently coax you into that step of faith. You don’t have to understand it. Look forward to the release it will bring. You may not have it all figured out, but God does.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
If you are not where you want to be in life, take the next right steps!
- If you want to be healthier, start by taking a short walk, and then do it again tomorrow.
- If you feel lonely, say hello to someone. Take a small step to be a friend to somebody else.
- If you have stress, talk to God for a moment about your worries. He’s there, and he’ll listen.
- If you want your life to have purpose, do a little something today to help someone else.
One at a time, take the next right steps.
“One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” (John Wanamaker)
Utilizing the Laws of Physics
Isaac Newton’s first law of motion states that, “An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.” In other words, objects tend to keep on doing what they’re doing. This tendency to resist changes in their state of motion is called inertia, and the laws of physics always apply. Including with you.
“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.” (Naeem Callaway)
When you are not in motion or moving forward in your life, you have inertia of rest. It may be hard at first, but you can break out of that state. It will take an outside force to make that change. That force is your God-given ability to choose, to take a step, to make an intentional decision to move forward, even if only a little bit. And to ask for God’s help along the way.
Once you do something, and then something else, you will establish inertia of motion. It will now be easier to stay in motion and use your own momentum to keep moving forward. You will find yourself making more and more progress.
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” (James Clear)
Getting into motion will work for you. The laws of physics are always true.
And ancient philosophers, modern neuroscientists, therapists, best-selling motivational authors, Biblical scholars, corporate wellness experts, psychology researchers, and experienced recovery coaches all agree.
Take the next right steps.
Question: Is there an area of your life where you are stuck and need a change?
Action: Starting with the first one, declare that you will take next right steps.
