Your first step in the right direction doesn’t have to be a big one.
There may be a number of factors that keep us from making the positive changes we desire in our lives. There is fear, complacency, laziness, distractions, negative peer pressure, addiction… there could be much written about each.
But for most of us, the inability to change the course of our lives boils down to one simple problem: The change seems too difficult. And as a result, we simply don’t know where to start.
We understand the importance of healthy, life-giving habits. We’ve seen their positive influence on the lives of others. We envy the life they live. We desire it, but the road looks far too long from our Point A to their Point B. And we give up the pursuit before we even start.
I’ve seen this countless times in my conversations with others (both formally and informally) concerning the importance of decluttering our homes and lives. I’ll mention the countless benefits we have discovered by purposefully living with fewer possessions. The message will be well-received… even desired. But almost immediately, the pursuit of this specific positive life-change will be countered by the most difficult of objections.
They usually sound something like this, “But what will I do with my book collection?” “I’m a sentimentalist. I could never get rid of this or that. There’s too much emotional attachment.” or “I’ll never get my husband/wife to go along with it.”
And my response is always the same: Just start small. You don’t have to start with a big step.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start. Just one small step down the right path is all you need to start heading in the right direction.
This truth applies to every positive life change we desire to embrace with our lives.
The journey anywhere almost always starts with one small step. As I look back over the past years of my life, I see this theme recurring over and over again:
- The journey of removing most of our worldly possessions began by simply removing the clutter from our cars.
- The accomplishment of running my first marathon started by waking up one day and running one mile.
- The journey of establishing this blog and inspiring others began with one simple post.
- The goal of becoming a life-long reader started by picking up one book on January 1st.
- When my wife wanted to learn how to sew, she accompanied her friends to a sewing class at a local church.
Interestingly enough, I am not alone. In fact, this is a theme I see recurring in all sorts of pursuits and personalities. Each of them successful in their field, each offering the same advice: Start small. For example…
- Chris Guillebeau recounts that his success started when he simply decided to start writing twice/week.
- Leo Babauta has written for years the key to changing any life habit is to start as easy as possible.
- Dave Ramsey tells those in debt to get out by paying off their smallest debts first.
- Lori Deschene began building her powerful online community by posting one inspirational quote each day.
- When I asked Brad Lomenick for advice on taking my message to a larger audience, he replied, “Just keep showing up.”
- Benny Lewis says the first step in learning a new language is to simply embrace an optimistic attitude (and a simple phrase book).
- Jeff Goins claims his writing career took off when he intentionally began telling himself, “I am a writer.”
When it comes to embracing positive life change (whatever that may be in our unique lives), the road may indeed be long from Point A to Point B. But it always starts with one step.
So go ahead, take one small step in the right direction. And then, take another one tomorrow. Before you know it, you’ll be further down the road than you ever expected.
Christie - EyesOnSparrow says
You have truly inspired my husband and I. Having been married for 4 years now we are longing to be more than the status quo. God has blessed us and we desire to bless others. Reading your blog has challenged us to start living simply now so we can bless others even as our family grows and during all phases of life. Thank you!
joshua becker says
Christie, thank you for the encouragement. So glad to see your life has been improved.
Terri (Simply Human PIctures) says
I’ve been working toward opening a retail space with small steps and hopefully this year it will happen! Thanks for the encouragement!
joshua becker says
Hey, that’s fantastic! A photo studio?
Anne says
Joshua, your writing just gets better and better – thanks for the small steps each time….
joshua becker says
Thanks Anne. It couldn’t have gotten much worse…
Sarah says
“Start small” would have been a good mantra for me when I started my storage unit project this year! It’s been 3 years now and it’s only by going in every weekend and doing something small that I’ve made any progress at all.
Brooke {Slow Your Home} says
This is great, Joshua!
I think it is often tied to the notion of comparisons too – which are largely unhelpful. People look at the life you and your family have intentionally created and say, “Well, I want that. But it’s so easy for them. It’s different for me. It’s harder for me….*insert reasons here*”
Meanwhile they dutifully ignore the hundreds of small steps it took to get to where you are.
There is absolutely no point in comparing apples to orangutans, you just need to worry about what your first or next step will be. Then the one after that…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Chris - Two Less Things says
There’s a phrase that springs to mind when reading this.
” Rome wasn’t built in a day ”
So often today we ‘want in now’ its become an expectation, but things really worth having take time. Seldom are the quick wins worth long term value. Start small and keep going, and when it gets tough, still keep going.
There’s many words of advice in the links.
joshua becker says
Nice quote to add the discussion Chris. It will definitely take longer than one day for good habits to emerge… after all, most of our bad habits weren’t learned in one day either.
lee says
I was browsing for more information for my blog http://howtomanagemypeso.blogspot.com/ when I stumble here. A new online friend introduced me just yesterday to minimalism as a lifestyle and I think this is something that I have been trying to do although I haven’t yet heard of the minimalist. This idea and lifestyle perfectly fit to me and to my blog.
I really find the advice of Brad Lomenick very inspiring. Same goes to Jeff Goins and Chris Guillbeau. I like it here.
joshua becker says
Welcome aboard Lee.
lee says
Thanks Josh.
Erin says
Yes! My husband and I have been getting rid of a thing a day for the past two months or so, and that little start was all we needed to get going. It’s amazing once you start how much easier it gets and how good it feels. I even recently visited my parents’ house and went through the childhood stuff I still had stored there! The experience has been a great eye-opener for me, someone who has chronically felt there’s no point in doing things if the results I want seem way beyond my reach.
joshua becker says
Little victories soon lead to bigger victories. Thanks for the encouragement Erin.
Savyra says
Now that is just a brilliant idea! Thanks Erin, and thanks also Joshua.. really like your blog, very glad I discovered it.
TB at BlueCollarWorkman says
It really is true. The idea of starting a new job or a my own business like I want to is intimidating as hell. Intimidating enough that I keep putting it off, but actually, all I need to do is take one step first. Just one little step. LIke looking up a new job in the classifieds or getting a book on how to start yoru own business. Neither of those are big or scary. Just a little step is all I need to get going!
joshua becker says
Yeah, you can totally accomplish that. Keep this as your mantra, “Just do the next right thing right.” You’ll get there quicker than you think.
Irene Kasprzyk says
That’s what I did to start the business I’ve always wanted to do, pet sitting/walking!!
I didn’t want to work for anyone else anymore and thank goodness my husband believed in me!! I went from having one client that went out of town once in a while to having 4 customers Monday through Friday and 5 others that use my services when they go away! And that’s since July 2012!! I started small, and used a lot of free resources to advertise and low cost business cards and made my own flyers that I put up in places where I might reach clients. And look at me now! I could hire people to help me but then it would defeat the “personal” touch I offer to my clients. They love knowing I will be taking care of their “babies” myself.
I truly LOVE my “job”!! Small steps got me here and now I’m working on minimizing my possessions since I have no time to keep “reorganizing” everything. Just going to downsize big time!!
Melissa says
“From our Point A to their Point B”…love that. Perfectly said!!! This is my goal this summer. And to involve my kids, one small step at a time. Thanks!