Just Do The Next Right Thing

Do you ever…

…feel you're spinning too many plates at one time.

…have a new goal that seems really big and scary.

…have a loud, messy house with people shouting “Mom” every few minutes.

…have competing desires and don’t know where to put your time and energy. 

…struggle to get out of bed because the day just seems too overwhelming.

…feel distracted, scattered and not present with life.

I do! In these situations the primal part of your brain will sometimes offer thoughts like these: 

“There’s so much to do.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“I can’t do everything.”

“This seems so hard.”

“Life is falling apart.”

It’s actually pretty normal to have these and similar thoughts.  There’s a phrase from Frozen 2 that has really helped me over the past few years.  If you have little kiddos then you’re problem familiar with the scene.  Anna is alone, stuck in a cave, her sister is in trouble, and her city may need to be destroyed. Life isn’t looking great!  She sings a really beautiful song and is determined to “just do the next right thing”. 

When working with clients I’m hesitant to use the word “right” because sometimes they think there's only one way to do something but I’m actually suggesting the opposite.  Consider your personal values.  Determine what you ultimately want and recognize there are usually a lot of “right” options. There’s not one “right” way to clean your kitchen, love your children or manage your time.  Just take one small, manageable step in the direction you want to go.  Whether it’s an organized house, a healthier body, or completing the laundry—just do the next right thing, and the next and the next. Eventually, each action will lead to what you want!