If you’re anything like me, with the New Year ahead of us, our minds are now turning to the things we’d like to accomplish in the New Year and to our resolutions. With the close of one year, it seems natural to look at our accomplishments and our outstanding goals and dreams. Sometimes that reflection can bring a feeling of excitement, and sometimes it can create a feeling of overwhelming proportion when the mountain ahead of us appears too large to summit.
It’s critical when looking at any large task to remember one thing. You first learned to walk by taking baby steps.
The most incredible accomplishment imaginable can only happen by taking the first step. It can be a baby step, but we must take action and step in the right direction.
One of the greatest things about life is that in order to take the first step, we don’t need to have all of the answers, just enough to take the first step. We don’t need to know the HOW of life, just the WHAT. We’re not required to have a 10-page business plan on how we’re going to create something- it’s far more important to have the dream of what we want and take action in that direction.
Just take the first step, knowing that the next one will appear, and repeat daily. When you’re at the bottom of a mountain hiking up, you can only see the steps directly in front of you. As you wind up the mountain sometimes the path is hidden until you go around the bend in front of you. Life is the same way.
If you wait to climb the mountain until all of the steps are clear, you will never enjoy the vista from the top of the mountain.
Sometimes the mountain seems too big and we question, “Who am I to do this”? Instead, I would invite you to ask yourself the question, “Why not me?”
Someone has to summit this mountain. Someone has to cure the next disease. Someone has to be the next #1 NY Times bestselling author or an award-winning actor. Someone has to create the next new Fortune 100 company. Why not me?
By asking yourself that simple question, your world opens into the realm of possibility. Focus shifts, and as it does, your odds of success soar exponentially. Then, with the dream in place, you’re ready to take that first step.
The climb up the tallest mountain began with the first step. Some mornings when my “to do” list seems longer than the 18 miles of love and support we delivered to Iraq, I have to remember two words- Baby Steps. I can achieve anything if I can break it into manageable chunks.
Most of us have little patience and want our New Year’s resolutions to manifest in our lives NOW! The key is to remember… baby steps. For all of us, losing 100 pounds starts with first losing one. Stopping smoking starts with smoking one less cigarette today. Creating more quality family time starts with being home for dinner tonight. All things are achieved one action at a time.
Each day those baby steps add up, and just like putting one foot one step ahead of the other on your path, soon you will be on the top of the mountain, looking down at your accomplishment with pride.
I’m here today to help you plant the flag in the top of your mountain, by encouraging you to take the first step. Why not you!? You were born for greatness. You have a dream inside of you that only you can achieve. So, what will your first baby step be today?
I did take a baby step today towards losing weight…I worked out on my Wii Fit board for 40 minutes and feel awesome! I set up my goal, determined my weight and BMI as well. Feels great to finally set this goal and take action on it. Thx!
Congratulations Julie! That’s a great baby step. Please keep us posted on your progress and we’ll keep cheering you on!
Woohooo to your success!
Hugs,
Gail
Dear Paula and Laura,
Thank you for sharing your baby steps with us.
Paula, getting organized is a huge step towards opening up the floodgates. Wow, hang on to your hat. I have a feeling things are going to come at you fast- now that you have a way to keep track of them! Good luck!
Laura, I like your reference to more than one way to climb a mountain. I have a good friend who is a rabbi, who teaches there are many paths up the mountain. But, most people at the bottom of their path are certain this is the only way up. It’s not until you’re far enough up your own path that you can see the other paths converging and all going to the same place. Kind of a beautiful visual for the multiple religions, beliefs, etc in the world.
May your new year be filled with possibility. Thanks again for sharing.
Hugs,
Gail
I started assembling and setting up my planner for 2009. I haven’t used a planner for almost 14 years. I am looking forward to the productivity it helps bring to my life.
WOW!! Thanks Much for such a timely post!!!
My saying has always been….”There is more than one way to climb a mountain.” In reference to how people get stuck in thinking that their way is the only right way.
Perhaps I should start adding in “which always begins with the first step.”
My baby step today was to change my social media avatar pics to have a true reference to ME! i.e. somehow my a true picture of actual me. 😀
Thank you again for the reminder to take the first step!! Even if it’s just a small one!!
Hi Gail,
I love your beliefs on the possibility thinking of, “Why Not Me?”
Very inspiring.
Still making baby steps here and expecting great things for 2009!
Gail, It’s hard to believe five years has passed, isn’t it?
I made this video slide show card and sent it out as a free product that people can send to those they love.
http://www.cdgoodart.com/cdgood/Movie.html A baby step to gathering momentum around inspiring an authentic community of like minds and promoting my photography and art. @urok123
I began trying to set up a blog to fundraise for a non-profit. I’m scared to begin one because then I may not reach my goal, but I only fail if I don’t try…right?
Thank you so much for your post! Sometimes we forget the baby steps and get so intimidated by the entire project!
I also use the baby steps approach in my coaching. For myself, the step I took today was to get my first blog post written. Thank you for your inspiration!
Hi Gail,
What a great post! And yes, very timely. Sometimes it’s hard thinking babysteps when I feel oh so behind, but the truth is I can’t really take more than one step at a time, and so what counts is to keep taking them, one after the other…and not get side-tracked by all I can’t do while I’m doing what I’m doing.
Oooh, I’m feeling a blog post for my own blog coming on 😉
Thanks so much, and a fantastic New Year!
Elisabeth
I’ve just written ‘baby steps’ on my white board…that along with Gratitude and patience. A winning combination me thinks!!!! 😉
I have “baby steps” that guide my actions: How may I best embody supportive love, appreciation and gratitude in every moment? These are baby steps, yet they yield AMAZING results! Thanks for this great reminder!
Hi Gail. The question “Why not?” is indeed a very powerful question. Most people ask themselves the question “why” and often find themselves unable to go forward as a result. It’s easy to find reasons and excuses not to do something that seems out of our comfort zone, but the “why not” question can easily change our perspective and help us to take the first baby step . Thanks for sharing.
Dear Gail, I love Inspire Me Today. Your columns are great. I just read your advice of baby steps Referring to smoking one cigarette less a day? That would never work for anybody if you know the first thing about addiction. Why not choose exercise 5 min a day or something more credible. Just a suggestion
Thanks for your comment Leah. I like how you’re choosing to replace a bad habit with a good one and focus on the good. Thanks again for sharing it!
Love this Gail! “Why not me?” Any step forward in any way could be the start of something good or even great! My husband died December 4, 2013. He was the love of my life and I had only met him in 2010 and married him in 2012. I was 54 years old and it was my first marriage. It was wonderful to have a “true partner” for the very first time in my life. Although I can’t imagine ever finding the love I had with my husband, I do want a partner again. I have been independent and done it by myself my whole life including raising a daughter on my own and caring for my husband before he died of prostate cancer. My daughter is now 18 and has applied to University and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life living alone. Your words resonated with me regarding my career, not my personal life so I’m not sure where this came from but why not me, to find a partner to share the rest of my life with? I have just decided on the baby steps necessary to move forward. I’m crying but I know it’s time. Thank you Gail. <3
Barbarajmackie, I’m sorry for your loss, but commend you in the spirit in which you are stepping forward. I have been married before (and divorced) and found the love of my life just 8 years ago- in my late 40’s. I know that it’s possible for you too! Making the decision to be open to finding love again is the first step to a life of bliss. Go for it Barbara!