by Debbie Ruston, Featured Contributor
HOW many times have you been stalled in the action steps you should be taking because you are attempting to figure out every possible step and outcome in advance? Something I have learned to do is to always take the next step to bring you closer to where you want to be.
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t is during this process that we often figure out the next step to take, as a result of something that may have happened during that process. For instance, we decide to contact someone as our next step and during the conversation with that person, you learn some valuable new information, that gives you a new step to take which you couldn’t possibly have known to take in advance. Sometimes, it is a course correction that you couldn’t have known to take, without this new information you gained from the last conversation.
As I have taken these steps consistently, I have often paused to look back and thought I couldn’t possibly have imagined these new steps would present themselves as opportunity. Some of the things that have happened have amazed me, and I didn’t imagine would have come along. Very often, I didn’t even know these new things I have come across existed until I got to that spot of learning and being introduced to the new idea. Understanding this concept takes the pressure off of pre planning and feeling like you have to have the whole picture figured out perfectly. And very often it turns out better than you even imagined when you first started out towards the goal. Just taking the next step with intention reveals the next step to take. So simple, it is often overlooked.
How have you seen this play out in your action steps?
Hmm – all interesting thoughts. Overplanning and not taking the next step – could that be procrastination caused by the fear of cold calling – so that you substitute something you enjoy – planning instead of ACTION – for more insight consider using the POMODORO method – taking ACTION for 20 minutes. When the time is so short it looks doable – not to pleasant – and once engaged you may run longer because it usually is not as unpleasant as you thought. Another thing people have is the “imposter syndrome” where they do not believe they are qualified even though they are qualified. Surprisingly, this is a common syndrome in successful people. For more info contact Debbie Ruston or MOOC course “Learning How to Learn” with Dr. Barbara Oakley.
Well said Steve….zig zagging is part of the process in the journey. We can be prepared for challenges, but learning not to sweat the small stuff alleviates unnecessary stress.
Jane you may have the same challenge I had many years ago….a feeling that everything had to be perfect. That stops us from taking the next step as quickly as we should. When we let that go, we learn we don’t have to be perfect…strive for excellence instead.
Hi Debbie,
At work I plan for the worst scenario so my team and I are prepared for the inevitable that will happen, but of course we hope does not. But outside of work I’m pretty clear headed. I refuse to worry about the things I have no control over.
Worry it may rain for tomorrow’s picnic, not me. Just get the umbrellas and a big tarp ready. Make your plan but be prepared to zig-zag when needed.
I’ve often been told I over think things. Because I have this tendency I try to balance ‘enough’ with ‘overload’ for making decisions. It’s more difficult when I’m doing research for a writing project. I always fear not having that one piece of information or important fact so I continue to search and ponder instead of acting now and editing later.