The Small Step Action Plan

Are you stuck in a rut? Or are you feeling overwhelmed and can’t seem to prioritize? Either way, implementing the “Small Step Action Plan” can help! Robert Maurer is the author of  One Small Step Can Change Your Life.   It’s one of my favorite books. The philosophy is rooted in the two thousand-year-old wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I think it should be required reading for anyone who is experiencing a crisis, overwhelmed or simply feeling stuck.

His technique is undeniably simple. It also taps into your own inner wisdom to provide the answers you seek and helps you overcome fear and inertia. His philosophy is that small steps are things that all of us can do. They add up to big changes because they’re doable and manageable. Obviously, his book provides much more detail, but here are four keys that provide a brief overview:

1. Ask small questions. Two examples: “If health were my first priority, what could I be doing differently today?” “If feeling calm were my top priority, what is one thing I could do this week?”
2. Think small thoughts. Think of a task or situation that makes you uncomfortable or fearful. Spend a few seconds (not minutes) each day on visualizing a successful outcome. In other words, what would life (or this situation, relationship, job, etc.) look like if you were able to create an ideal situation?
3. Take small actions. Examples: If your goal is to stop overspending, a small action might be to remove one item from your shopping cart before heading to the register. If your goal is to manage your stress better, a small action could be to take one deep breath.
4. Solve small problems. You’ll often receive intuitive messages about an impending crisis well before the crisis arrives. Don’t ignore early warning signs. Listen. Pay attention and act on the information you’re receiving.

Every time we achieve something new in life it starts with a single step. Don’t fall into the trap of imagining that everything has to be perfect. It never will be. Your task is to figure out what you want. Then allow the Universe to begin bringing together the resources necessary for you to have your dream. Now it’s time for you to take a step in faith and go for your dream.

Yin yang image available from Shutterstock.

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