Sometimes, the hardest part of moving forward isn’t the work itself, it’s deciding where to begin. We tell ourselves we need a big plan, a better plan, the perfect moment, or all the right tools lined up. But honestly, more often than not, progress starts with something much smaller: the one step you can take right now.
That’s what the 8 of Spades reminds us (ref. Instagram August 19th): progress isn’t always about doing more, it’s about doing what matters most, with precision.
Years ago, in Seth Godin’s Bootstrapping workshop, he asked a question that’s been etched in my mind ever since:
“What’s the smallest step you can take today that will help you with your business?”
It sounds simple. But it’s not because the smallest step is often the hardest to define — and the easiest to avoid (watch excuses showing up!).
Why we get stuck
When we’re overwhelmed, our brains trick us into thinking the solution is “more.” More research, more calls, more planning. But that’s how we spin our wheels. We stay busy instead of making progress. The truth is, momentum rarely comes from doing everything, it comes from doing the right thing first.
How to find your smallest step
What happens when you do it
Taking the smallest step doesn’t just move you forward, it changes your whole state (physically and psychologically). Action reduces overwhelm. It creates clarity and it teaches you that you don’t have to climb the whole staircase today. You just have to put your foot on the next step.
So, tell me. What’s your smallest step today? Not the 20 things on your to-do list. Just the one that matters most.
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