How to Make Your Future a Reality: The Power of the Next Small Step

In a world that constantly urges you to think big, dream bigger, and visualize grand futures, it’s easy to become so fixated on that future and your long-term goals that you lose sight of the journey itself. This may make you feel that the overall goal you’re shooting for is impossible or unrealistic, forgetting that the only way to get there in the first place is by taking that next small step. I wrote something to remind me of this fact a while ago, and I turned it into a quote to say something like this:

“So many times, we get caught up in our future vision that we forget to look at the next small step we’re supposed to take that’s right in front of us.”

– Josiah Thibodeau

For me, this is a powerful reminder to recalibrate my focus so I’m not as tunnel-visioned about the end goal but instead have the ability to shift focus to accomplish what’s in front of me. I hope it does the same for you. The idea should challenge you to pause and ground yourself in the present moment, to see the value in the immediate actions that form the foundation of every achievement.

As someone who has spent years navigating the complexities of mindset, mental health, and personal growth, I’ve seen this pattern play out time and again—both in my own life and in the lives of others. Many times, you can be so captivated by the horizon that you tend to overlook the stepping stones under your feet, thinking they’re unimportant, but what if the secret to unlocking your most significant potential isn’t in the dazzling vision of tomorrow, but in the quiet discipline of taking one small, intentional step today, and every day thereafter?

That said, let’s explore why the next small step is more important than you might think and how embracing this mindset can transform your life.

The Trap of Future Fixation

When used correctly, visualization is a powerful tool that can be a trusted guidepost along your journey. It can help you clarify your desires and purpose and align your actions with your future aspirations. 

However, there’s a fine line between using visualization as a guide and letting it paralyze you. Depending on your dreams, there’s the possibility of feeling so consumed by the magnitude of what you want to achieve that you start to experience overwhelm instead of ambition. Once overwhelm sets in, you might feel trapped and unable to move forward. 

That vision you have no longer seems achievable.

This is the paradox of ambition: the bigger your vision, the more daunting it can feel, causing you to ask yourself questions like:

• How will I ever get there?
• What if I make the wrong move?
• Am I even capable of achieving this?

While these questions might be natural, they can begin to create an invisible barrier between you and action. Instead of progress, you linger in a field of analysis paralysis, lost in the vastness of the “what could be’s” rather than engaging with “what is.”

The antidote to this paralysis is deceptively simple: focus on the next small step.

Why Small Steps Matter

Imagine you are a hiker standing at the base of a mountain, looking up at the summit, knowing that soon you’ll be standing at the top, staring out over the valley below. The peak is breathtaking, but as you focus on it, you start to feel pangs of fear as the sheer scale of the journey ahead becomes insurmountable. 

Now, imagine you’re that same hiker, staring at the beauty of the mountain before you; rather than focusing on the peak, you shift your gaze downward, focusing instead on the first step of the trail. It may not be as beautiful or majestic, but this is the essence of progress—not conquering the mountain in one leap but moving steadily, one step at a time.

Here’s why small steps are so transformative:

1. They Build Momentum: Action breeds action. This means you generate energy, confidence, and clarity each time you take a small step forward. This makes the next step feel more achievable and empowers you with a sense of control.
2. They Reduce Overwhelm: Breaking your big goals into smaller tasks can make them less intimidating, making you more likely to take the next steps needed to accomplish your goal. Instead of facing an unscalable wall, you create a staircase of manageable steps, providing a sense of relief and reassurance.
3. They Anchor You in the Present: Small steps require presence. They demand your attention and effort in the here and now, pulling you out of the anxiety of future “what ifs.”
4. They Create Sustainable Progress: Rapid, unsustainable bursts of effort often lead to burnout. Small, consistent steps ensure you can keep moving forward without losing balance.

How to Identify Your Next Small Step

The next small step isn’t always obvious, especially when juggling multiple priorities or navigating uncertainty. Have you ever watched a rock climber pick their way over the surface of a cliff? They don’t haphazardly climb the cliff face. Each hold they find is tested to ensure they have enough to hold onto with the proper grip before allowing themselves to suspend from that hold as they search for the next.

If the hold they try doesn’t feel secure or offer the proper support, they look for another alternative. 

As you go through life, you might feel the same. One step seems like it might be what you’re looking for, but sometimes, you have to test things out to see how they work. If it doesn’t work, you step back and try again. 

Here are some strategies to help you find clarity:

1. Zoom In: Start by breaking your goal into smaller pieces. If you want to write a book, your next step might be as simple as outlining one chapter or writing for 15 minutes a day.
2. Ask the Right Questions: Instead of asking, “How do I reach my goal?” ask, “What can I do today to move closer to it?” This shifts your focus from the end result to actionable tasks.
3. Embrace Imperfection: Your next step doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be something. Progress is always better than perfection.
4. Listen to Your Intuition: Sometimes, your gut instinct knows the next step before your logical mind does. Trust yourself to take the action that feels most aligned in the moment.
5. Celebrate Micro-Wins: Acknowledge and appreciate each step you take. Small victories remind you that progress is happening, even if it’s not immediately visible.

The Ripple Effect of Small Steps

Without knowing it or being able to see from your current vantage point, focusing on the next small step creates a ripple effect in your life. Each action you take, no matter how minor, begins to set a chain of events into motion that will compound over time. This is how you achieve massive transformation.

I wrote about how Simon Sinek describes working out as a series of steps that compound over time and eventually lead to the desired results. You can find that article HERE. 

This ripple effect often transforms not just the one area you are working on but every area of your life. 

Consider these examples:

• Fitness: A single workout might seem insignificant, but over weeks and months, it builds strength, endurance, and confidence. Not only in fitness, but it will change other areas of your life and how you view yourself in the world.
• Relationships: A single heartfelt conversation can deepen trust and connection, creating a stronger bond over time. 
• Career Growth: One small project or skill learned today can open doors to new opportunities in the future. This is why it’s essential to continue to learn and develop new skills. You never know when they’ll come in handy.

The key to all of this, of course, is consistency. If you don’t stay consistent and continue to do the work and take those regular next small steps, you won’t see the progress you were hoping for. These small steps have the power to reshape your reality in ways that are both profound and enduring, but only if you’re consistent.

Overcoming Resistance to Action

Despite its simplicity, taking the next small step isn’t always easy. Resistance often attempts to derail you from reaching and achieving your ultimate goal. You might experience this in the form of procrastination, self-doubt, or fear of failure, among many other possibilities. 

Here are a few ways on how to navigate these challenges:

1. Reframe Failure: Understand that failure is not a reflection of your worth but a stepping stone to growth. Each step, even the missteps, teaches you something valuable.
2. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you stumble. Remember, progress is a journey, not a straight line.
3. Create Accountability: Share your next step with a trusted friend or mentor. Having the knowledge that there is someone else out there cheering you on can provide extra motivation.
4. Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy. Avoid distractions that distract you from your priorities.
5. Visualize Success—in Layers: Instead of focusing on the end goal, visualize the successful completion of your next step. This makes the process feel more achievable and tangible.

Living in the Balance

The beauty of this approach lies in its balance. You don’t have to abandon your future vision; you simply learn to hold it lightly while giving your full attention to the present. Think of it like driving at night: your headlights illuminate only the next few hundred feet, yet you trust they’ll guide you all the way home.

Your vision is the roadmap, but your next small step is the vehicle that gets you there. Sometimes, you need to look at the overall map to ensure you’re on the right course, but to reach the destination that will deliver you to your dreams, you need to zoom in to find the next available route.

Today, I challenge you to take a moment and reflect on your own life. Is there a goal or dream you’ve been putting off because it feels too big or overwhelming? What’s one small, actionable step you can take right now to move closer to it?

Write it down. Commit to it. And most importantly, take that step. It might feel small, but it’s the start of something extraordinary.

Remember, the journey to your greatest aspirations begins with the decision to act in this moment. And when you make a habit of taking those small steps, you’ll look back one day and realize you’ve climbed a mountain—one step at a time.

Thank you for taking the time to reflect and grow with me today. I hope this message inspires you to embrace the power of the next small step and trust the process of your journey.

To your progress and peace,

Josiah Thibodeau