Taking Little Steps

Once, I saw a picture of a two-year-old boy walking in big cowboy boots. The thought came to me about how little steps we take in life can turn into big things. One day, the two-year-old boy will fit into those big cowboy boots. How did it happen? Lots of the little boy’s steps eventually turned into the big steps of a man. The process of growing up is less about big and more about small. Little steps become giant leaps over time. When chopping down a big tree, if you swing the axe five times daily, the tree eventually falls. That's the potency of little steps. Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch if you don’t quit.  

As they say in the southern part of the United States, “That dog will hunt!” I’m writing this article from the Novotel Hotel near the Auckland, New Zealand, airport. Yesterday, my flight to America was canceled after nine days of ministry in New Zealand. 

There's a rugby team in New Zealand called the All Blacks. Years ago, the All Blacks coach challenged his players to do something that was key to the teams' rugby success. The coach challenged the players to improve themselves by one percent every month. If each player improved by one percent each month, that would be an improvement of twelve percent in one year for each player. And guess what, the whole team improved by twelve percent. That strategy was a tipping point, giving the All Blacks a winning attitude and advantage over many other national teams for years.  

The lesson here is that we overestimate what we need to do in one day and underestimate the power of what we can do in several days or months. As I have said in this article, big shots are little shots that just keep shooting. Water cuts through rocks and creates the Grand Canyon, not only because of its power but because of its power and consistency. Here's another example of how little things can become big things. Ubiquitous small purchases over a month can make your credit card bill humungous. That's the potency of little.    

John Maxwell talks about the Rule of Five. ‘The Rule of 5’ is simply a series of activities that you do every day that are fundamental to your success. For John, his Rule of 5 is as follows: every day he reads, every day he files, every day he thinks, every day he asks questions, and every day he writes. In other words, every day, Maxwell takes little steps in five areas of his life that grow into significant steps. Remember, growth is a process with events along the way to becoming who you are - growth on the inside fuels growth on the outside.

Do you have a considerable challenge, problem, or obstacle? Here is a hint. Don't let the problem's size intimidate you or be an obstacle to you. Break the big challenge or barrier into little steps that create big results. Overcoming an obstacle or barrier comes from taking one small step at a time over time. Life doesn't reward you for what you do. Life rewards you for what you do consistently. Start chopping away at the challenge. Don't allow the size of the challenge to be the obstacle. The more you keep chopping, the more the barrier starts dying, and you start living. Take the first step, and the other steps will follow, like that little boy trying to walk in big boots.

Facing obstacles or challenges becomes a momentum problem. We lose momentum, which only makes the situation worse. Be decisive. Decide to take little steps. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't or wouldn't make a decision. Christie Brinkley says, "When you turn 60, the key is not to stop moving. Once you start to stop moving, you rust. You've got to keep going." 

Be intentional, be focused, and be consistent. All you need to do is grow one percent each month. Peter de Jager says, “Sometimes being pushed to the wall gives you the momentum necessary to get over it!” Rather than focusing on stopping negative momentum, focus on starting positive momentum. 

Knowing the difference between positive and negative momentum is essential to get momentum moving in the right direction. Ben Nicolas says, “Most of life is routine – dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps us going. If you wait for inspiration, you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.” My friend, Ed Eans, adds to the quote, “And you will be scooping the poop of the horses.” In other words, keep taking little steps in the right direction after the excitement has passed. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It was built in a lot of days and with a lot of little steps. 

You might be thinking, how do I know what little steps to take in my situation? The Bible says, "Man's and woman’s steps are directed by the Lord" (Psalm 20:24). Look at Jesus. God started small to go big. God knows about taking little steps. 

Maybe the first little step you can take is to consult the Bible and let the Lord guide your steps. That's one small step for you, one giant step for your future. Then, the practical steps will come.