Taking one step at a time sounds like a losing proposition but it isn’t.
In fact, taking one baby step at a time is how life works, exactly.
You don’t run a 100-meter sprint in one giant step. Instead, you take several smaller steps to ultimately reach the finish line.
Tackling the life challenges in one go seems to be a better approach when you’re short on patience. But methodology seldom works. On the other hand, when you handle things one step at a time, you experience ease and calm.
Let me explain.
Apart from being a writer and speaker, I am also a radio jockey with AIR FM Gold channel (100.1 MHz). You might have listened to my live radio shows on Sunday nights—Ravivaar Raat Gold, (if you’re a radio lover, of course). 🙂
In December 2003—during one of our training sessions—our mentor, Mr. Vijay Deepak Chibber highlighted the importance of taking one step at a time:
“Usually, you get enough time to prepare your show. You have time to research, prepare the script, and rehearse. But sometimes, you might be asked to present a radio show unprepared. We call it an “emergency duty.” If you ever find yourself in such a situation, stay calm. Just remember not to worry about the whole show at once. Prepare and execute your first cut (what a radio jockey speaks before playing a song), then the second one, then the third one, and so on. Work one cut at a time.”
Not only did the “taking one step at a time” strategy help me as a radio jockey, but it also made my life easier during “difficult” times.
Often, we worry about 5, 10, or 15 years. It stresses us out because no one can see that far in the future. We lose focus and get anxious.
Instead of letting anxiety take over you, how about taking one step at a time?
What will change if instead of worrying about the whole week you start living each day to its fullest?
Will your life get easier, more manageable, and purposeful if you live in the moment?
What difference will it make to your life if you don’t try to control the whole journey in the very beginning?
In other words, what would happen if you took one step at a time?