“To get through the hardest journey
we need take only one step at a time,
but we must keep on stepping.”
– Chinese Proverb
When frustrations over a particularly confusing homework assignments got to me, my father’s advice always was “take it one step at a time.” If I followed his predictable advice, eventually I would find that the impossible task had been completed.
Becoming overwhelmed by a difficult task is a common experience many share. When things stay jumbled up in our heads, the result is often one big ball of frustration, which can short circuit our ability to accomplish even the simplest task. After reaching this point, doing just one thing – even if it is writing down what time it is and what one intends to accomplish in the next few hours – is a positive step that becomes its own reward. Almost any action has the potential of propelling us forward into a great many more positive accomplishments.
– Connie Popp
Dr. Connie Popp is a board member for The Center for Life Transitions as well as an active facilitator for the Center’s Life-SHIFT and Job Search Courage programs. She is also the Director of Campus Ministry at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read more.