Just 1 Step

I'd like to piggyback on last week's message and take a few minutes to consider taking Just 1 Step.  If you've selected one thing to focus on for the new year, often that may involve some type of action, especially if we are people who like to make resolutions.  We've got 1 thing we have decided to focus on for the new year - something we are working to stop, or something we are wanting to start.  Regardless of the selection, there is most likely some kind of action involved.  

For example, let's say we want to eat healthier in 2026.  An admirable choice, however, even though that is just 1 thing, it is still pretty general. This is where it can be helpful for us to figure out Just 1 Step we can take to practically get us moving that direction. In this example, maybe it's deciding to stop eating after 7 PM. Or perhaps it's taking Just 1 Step and eliminating soda from our diet. Breaking it down from the one thing of eating healthier into a very simple, single step can make the start of the journey much easier.

When I am coaching leaders on implementing change, this process of finding that single step can be freeing because it means we only have 1 task to accomplish to get started.  Here are a couple of tips I have found to be helpful in determining that 1 Step:

What's the actual starting point?  Let's say we want to rewrite the policy manual for one of our departments. We can't start the whole manual all at once. Would the first step be to rewrite one section? Maybe the starting point would be to review the current manual and decide what we want to keep and what we need to fix? If we break that down even further, maybe the first step is to schedule an hour on our calendar to review the current manual?  When we really examine the process and clearly focus and actually find the starting point (the actual First Step), we can then take that 1 Step and begin moving forward.  Momentum has begun!

What might be the obstacles? As we consider Just the First Step, it may also be helpful to consider what could get in the way.  Using our policy manual example, maybe one of the obstacles is that reviewing manuals is boring! That could mean it will be hard to tackle it, even if we've put that hour on our schedule! With that obstacle in mind, perhaps we also need to build in some accountability for ourselves. So, we ask one of our colleagues to check in with us the day after we have that hour on our calendar to make sure we actually used it to review the manual. Then, when the hour arrives and we are tempted to do something else that's more exciting, we have some extra motivation knowing that our friend is going to ask us tomorrow if we did it. Or maybe we realize an hour all at once will feel like too much of an obstacle, so we schedule 2, 30 minute sessions at different times to make it more achievable? Anticipating and planning for the obstacles can also help us get started and create momentum.

If you've decided to Pick Just 1 Thing to focus on for the new year, what would be Just 1 Step you could take to get moving? Could you break it down even further and figure out what the actual starting point is and make that your First Step?  What obstacles might you encounter in taking that 1 Step, and how could you creatively approach those barriers so they didn't get in the way of actually taking The Step? The good news is, when we've taken that 1 Step, momentum is now on our side!

Here's to Taking Just 1 Step this week on your journey of a whole new year!

Be Well,

Stephen

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

Just Pick 1 Thing

Sometimes it's good to state the obvious.

Today is the last day of 2025 and tomorrow is the first day of 2026.  

It's interesting how this turn of the calendar can produce so much more focus than yesterdays, or the day after.  There's something about one year ending and a new one beginning that seems to naturally focus our attention on reflection of what has passed, and the possibility of what is to come. 

The truth is, that can look very different for many of us.  For some, 2025 was great and we have lots to be thankful for.  That reflection can give us a natural hope for what 2026 may bring. For others, this year was difficult, and we are glad to see it go. That may either create a sense of relief that a new year is here, or a sense of dread about what else might be around the corner!  I just recently heard someone say, "I'm hoping to slide very quietly into 2026. Maybe it won't notice I've arrived!"

Regardless of what this turn of the calendar brings for you this year, I would like to offer a simple suggestion:

Just Pick 1 Thing!

Whenever I teach a seminar to a group of individuals, I typically end the session by challenging each participant to only pick 1 Thing from all the brilliant and amazing things I've said to them (LOL). I encourage them to Just Pick 1 Thing to focus on after the seminar and give themselves permission to not worry about the rest of it. Part of the reason I do this is because if we attempt to focus on too many choices or actions, we often end up not doing anything! So, by focusing on Just 1 Thing, we have a much better chance of actually taking action.

Which is why I am suggesting you Just Pick 1 Thing on this turn of the calendar from 2025 to 2026.

What is 1 Thing that happened this past year for which you can be grateful? How could you focus on that and allow it to bring some joy to your heart? Maybe you would rather pick just 1 Thing that happened in 2025 that you would like to be different in 2026? What small adjustment could you make that would help to jump start that change? Perhaps it's 1 Person instead of 1 Thing? Who is a single individual who had an impact on your life in 2025 and how could you express to them what they meant to you this year?  Regardless of what or who it is, maybe the simplicity of just choosing 1 will help make this turn of the calendar a good one.

Here's to Just Picking 1 Thing this year!

Be Well,

Stephen

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

Celebrate!

I was recently chatting with a leader who was reflecting on the various people on their team. One of the items we were brainstorming was how to provide unique feedback to each individual based on their personalities and what the leader knows about how they function.  During our conversation, this leader commented that regardless of who the individual is, they are always trying to figure out how to Celebrate them - they look for specific opportunities to give them positive feedback of some kind.  

When they said that word Celebrate, my mind and heart were immediately sparked with the idea that I need to look for more ways to Celebrate.  And I am not just talking about the accomplishments of other people, but also taking time to Celebrate what is happening in my own life.

I also think it would be easy to think of this word Celebrate and put it in the context of larger milestones or accomplishments.  But I think there is something to be said for Celebrating even the small wins. If we only Celebrate the larger, more significant milestones, we miss out on all the small moments that can bring a sense of joy and happiness in our lives.

And it just so happens this is a season of Celebration for many of us!  We'll have some extra time off work, maybe a bunch of treats around, time with family and friends, and of course all of those lights and music that come with these seasons of Celebration.  So perhaps it's a good time for all of us to practice Celebrating - the big moments, but also all of those small moments that we may be tempted to miss.

During this next week, who could you Celebrate and how could you let them know you are Celebrating them? What may be happening in your own life that it's important for you to name and Celebrate for yourself? How could you slow down a little and pay attention to the joys of life around you, and allow yourself the privilege of some simple Celebration?

Here's to taking some time to really Celebrate this week!

Be Well,

Stephen

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.