The Next Small Step

We’ve all had days when the to-do list feels never-ending. For adults, it’s emails, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. For kids, it’s homework, chores, and instrument practice.

When the list feels too big, overwhelm can set in for everyone. Instead of tackling the tasks, we can feel stuck. Sometimes we’re so drained that we end up doing nothing at all. 

This is where Executive Function skills can make all the difference.

One simple question can nudge us (and our kids) out of “stuck mode” and into forward motion:

“What’s one thing I can do right now to move toward my goal?”

That “one thing” doesn’t have to be big. It could be:

• Taking a notebook out of the backpack

• Picking up the pen to start a grocery list

• Setting a timer for a 10-minute study session

• Opening the cabinet to grab cleaner
  

These tiny first steps may not seem like much, but they unlock behavioral momentum. One small action leads to another, and before long, you’re moving forward again. Progress rarely starts with a giant leap: it begins with one manageable step and the self-reflective question that makes it possible.

The next time our children feel overwhelmed, we can invite them to pause and ask themselves: “What’s one thing I can do right now to move toward my goal?”

We can model this, too. Over time, this small but powerful question builds confidence, independence, and resilience.

You don’t have to climb the whole mountain today. Just take the next small step.