Babystepping: I love this quote about a small snail, inching her way along, while other animals galloped, ran, and leapt past. Yet, because she was determined, she took tiny, painstaking steps (slithers?) toward her goal, finally arriving there, not being deterred by obstacles or the pace or capabilities of others.
How necessary this skill is when we’re seeking to progress in difficult areas of life!
Babystepping: Where do you need it?
If you’re like me, you’re probably trying to make progress in something like the following:
- health
- relationships
- finances
- job goals
- marriage
- eating habits
- personal growth
Think about it right now: what area in your life makes you feel like you are climbing a steep mountain, trying to get where you’d like to be? One of the most important keys is focusing on just taking small, persistent steps, day after day. This will grow into progress week after week, month after month. And by just focusing on the next step you need to take, you’ll resist the temptation to give up, overwhelmed by the size of the task.
Babystepping: My own impossible climb
I remember a time when I lived in New Zealand and I set out on a hike with some people who were about 15 years younger than me. After walking for hours in the hot sun, we came to the last section of our hike. To my dismay, the trail ended with an extremely steep cliff, rising straight up before us. It looked impossible to climb. The others started forward with youthful zeal and fitness, struggling, yet making their way slowly, clawing with their hands and feet.
I truly thought it might be impossible for me to make it to the top, but there was no other option but to try. Either that, or walk back by myself for hours. I shot a prayer up to God for help, and decided to ONLY look at the next place to put my hand or foot on the way up, rather than look all the way up at the overall task. I decided that if I could accomplish each next footstep or handhold, I would inevitably, finally make it to the top.
And guess what? I did it!
When I was tired (continually) or felt defeated (constantly), I reminded myself, “You have the strength and ability to make just the next step.”
This technique applies to so many areas of life.
Babystepping: What’s your next step?
So think about your cliff. What is your next step, however small, to make progress? A conversation? A book? A choice? Some online research? A phone call? Just do it, then take the next step, then the next, then the next…
All you have to do is that one next thing. Follow the example of the snail.
Then guess what? Reaching your ark may open up a whole new life!