Conquer Goals with Tiny Steps: A Coaching Guide

The First Step: How Coaching Transforms Your Journey from Hesitant Dreamer to Determined Doer

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a quagmire of endless tasks and ambitions, only to find yourself comfortably nestled in your comfort zone, avoiding the daunting climb ahead? We all want to change, to grow, to achieve, but life has a funny way of keeping us busy – or rather, of making us very proficient procrastinators.

So, how do we escape the gravitational pull of hesitation and start moving toward our goals? The secret lies in identifying the first, very small step. This was a nugget of wisdom I recently shared with a client, who was feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of revitalizing her marketing campaign. “You help me with that very small step,” she said, smiling and looking a little less overwhelmed. That small step was all it took to get her started.

The Hesitant Dreamer vs. The Determined Climber

Imagine you’re at the base of a mountain. The peak represents your goal – be it launching a new project, revitalizing a campaign, or simply adopting a healthier lifestyle. At the base, you’re standing still, looking up at the towering heights, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of what lies ahead. This is where most of our good intentions hit a wall.

Enter coaching. Think of your coach as a friendly guide who hands you a walking stick and points out a small, almost laughably easy step forward. You take that step, and then another. Suddenly, the mountain doesn’t seem so intimidating.

This approach is beautifully illustrated by the Two-Minute Rule, a concept popularized by productivity expert David Allen. The rule is simple: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. But it’s more than that. It's about breaking down your goals into actions so small that they seem almost too easy to ignore.

Tiny Steps, Big Changes: The Psychology Behind It

In psychology, there's a fascinating concept known as the Zeigarnik Effect. Named after Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, this effect explains how unfinished tasks tend to stick in our minds, creating a kind of mental itch that demands to be scratched. By taking a very small step, we trick our brains into starting the task, which in turn creates a sense of momentum. That initial action generates a ripple effect, making it easier to continue and eventually complete the task.

Coaching harnesses this principle by helping clients identify and commit to these small steps. The power of coaching lies not in pushing you to take giant leaps but in guiding you to take manageable, sustainable steps that gradually build momentum.

From Hesitant Dreamer to Determined Climber: A Real-Life Example

Let’s return to my client, the marketing campaign revitalizer. She was stuck in analysis paralysis, overwhelmed by the complexity and enormity of the task ahead. Our coaching sessions focused on breaking down her goal into the tiniest possible actions. We started with something simple: drafting a single headline for the campaign. This small victory sparked a sense of accomplishment and motivated her to take the next step. Before long, she had outlined an entire marketing strategy.

The transformation was remarkable. What once seemed like an insurmountable challenge became a series of manageable tasks, each building on the last. She went from feeling paralyzed by the enormity of her goal to being an active, motivated participant in her own success story.

Transform Hesitation into Action

Ready to turn your goals into reality? Start by taking that first tiny step. Identify a small, manageable action you can take today. It might be as simple as writing an email, making a phone call, or even just jotting down a few ideas. Remember, the journey to the peak begins with that first step.

If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, consider partnering with a coach who can guide you through this process. Coaching can transform your journey, helping you move from a hesitant dreamer to a determined climber reaching new heights.

Don’t let hesitation keep you from achieving your dreams. Take that first step today and start your transformation from hesitant dreamer to determined doer. The mountain is waiting, and the view from the top is worth every small step.

Sources:

Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2016). "Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory, and Applications." Guilford Press. (Chapter discussing the Zeigarnik Effect)

Allen, D. (2001). "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karin Wellbrock, Partner and COO at Kay Group K.K., anchors her expertise in a Tokyo-based consultancy specializing in leadership and organizational development. As a certified Leadership and Team Coach, Karin is dedicated to propelling both seasoned and emerging executives to leave a significant imprint in their respective industries. She is using innovative yet pragmatic tools and approaches to further the impact of leaders. Beyond individual coaching, Karin extends her influence through her work with NGOs and startups, and through her writing. She delves into the journeys of 'Exceptional Leaders in Japan' and dissects complex leadership scenarios, thereby enriching the managerial toolkit for leaders striving for peak performance.