“If there is a will, there is a way” is a meaningful childhood lesson that taught us to go for our biggest goals and dreams with gusto. It reminded us to persevere in the face of all sorts of challenges because growth and rewards were the promises of staying on our desired path. As we boldly sprinted out into the big world, assured that everything we desired would come to fruition, many of us fell short of our ideal. Some people quit, some got stuck, some changed their minds, and a few “lucky” ones found their way through.
Those who did not fare well did not stop having goals or lose their vision, but rather they got lost while navigating the path to their goals. Everyone wants a direct path with clear steps to produce an exact result, but few things in life come with such directions or guarantees. We must take one step at a time, knowing that the next one will appear when we are ready. Every new step is scary precisely because of the uncertainty it brings. Instead of fearing the unknown, we must cultivate curiosity and excitement about it. Embrace each step with optimism and grit, using every opportunity to develop skill, fluency, and character. With practice, this approach will create a momentum that will lead you to success.
Those who succeed do not usually have exceptional luck, skills, intelligence, or other advantages. They just choose to approach their circumstances with greater focus, desire, determination, consistency, effort, and belief in their abilities. Their paths are not typically easy, and they do not back down when faced with challenges. They make the best of the steps they have taken while remaining open to new steps available to them, always trusting that the right step will appear when they were ready for it.
Success at anything does not come all at once. It is a gradual process of taking step after step toward an ideal. While it is good to keep the ideal in mind, it is important to focus on the step-by-step processes that occur in your day-to-day operations. In other words, focus on the journey rather than solely on the destination. I encourage you to trust in your journey and know that the next step will always appear.
The Next Step—What it Means
Any goal or desire is reachable through a series of steps that will lead you from where you are to where you want to be. Sometimes the steps are clear, allowing you to coast from one to another until you reach your intended destination. For example, making it through high school is just a series of straight forward steps (e.g., attend class, study, do homework, pass tests) that are fairly predictable. While high school is not easy, the process of completion is well-established and clear.
Most paths are less obvious. Your goals and desires are unique to you, so your journey will not be like any other person. You may glean insights from others along the way, but you must make your own decisions and walk your path on your own. As I will explain below, though, you are never really alone or without support.
If you can appreciate where you are while working toward your next level of growth, you will draw to yourself the right opportunities, circumstances, and people that will lead you toward your goal. The signs along the way may be subtle or apparent, big or small, expected or unexpected—so you must pay attention.
Here are two examples of people who found their next steps successfully:
Julie was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer when she was in her 40s. She listened to doctors propose their suggested treatment plan, but something didn’t feel right to her. She trusted her gut and pursued knowledge of various types of conventional and non-traditional treatment options. As she listened to her intuition, she was led to a new way of eating, a different type of conventional treatment than was initially prescribed, and a spiritual transformation. She is thriving and healthy today. Perhaps she would have healed if she accepted the initially prescribed treatment, too, but her self-designated path was likely more inspiring and growth-producing. Each step unfolded for her when she was ready for it, and her path to recovery felt powerful and meaningful.
Michael was feeling at odds with his life. He was tired of his job, the town in which he lived, and the friends he hung around. One day, while in discussion with his boss, he vented about his dissatisfaction with his life. Shockingly, his boss suggested that he go out into the world and pursue his true desires. The boss meant it supportively and authentically. Michael, perhaps for the first time in his life, felt like he could and should go for it. In his search for schools that offered programs that would support his career goals, he found the perfect one—that, coincidentally, was located close to a family member with which he wanted to rebuild a relationship. From there, the next steps just appeared before him. He was accepted into his desired school and program, warmly welcomed into the home of his family (rent-free), graduated at the top of his class, and found a job that enabled him to do what he desired to do. He now feels a sense of accomplishment, community, and contentment that he had not felt for a long time.
Get Ready and Trust
Like Julie and Michael, you must tune into your inner and outer worlds. Internally, you will benefit by listening to your intuition, surrendering to the spiritual, cultivating courage while releasing fear, and being open to what shows up in your life. Externally, you will benefit by being optimistic about any changes you need to make, remaining open to the opportunities and synchronicities that show up in your life, being prepared to do what you are called to do (e.g., new job, education, gain skills, etc.), and following through with the necessary actions to bring your ideal to fruition.
While you are preparing yourself for your next step, trust that it will appear before you and that you can see it. Too many people give up when the next step or next level does not arrive soon enough or in the exact form they desire. Trust that it will reach you when you are ready in a manner that is most useful to you.
Your strong desire, determination, and effort all matter, but you do not have to do it all by yourself. You have a team of powerful Spiritual beings supporting you and lining things up perfectly in your path. They love you and are always working dutifully on your behalf. Trust and appreciate these valuable assets, encouraging them to keep doing what they do best.
Hone Your Skills of Sensing
Notice! Be an active, rather than passive, observer. Get curious about what you see, hear, feel, and sense. Look at your situations and surroundings as though you are seeing them for the first time. Listen to your intuition. Actively pursue those opportunities that seem like they could reveal your next step.
Sometimes we get stuck in observational ruts. We attend to what we habitually notice—and miss important messages and opportunities that appear before us. Sometimes a chance encounter may reach you while in line at a gas station. Perhaps the person you are sitting by on the plane, train, or at a work meeting is part of your next step. Maybe that ill feeling you sense when you are around someone is trying to tell you something. Pay attention and then respond appropriately.
We may get steered in new directions, which can be a positive thing. Just because you started in one direction doesn’t mean that is the route you’ll take forever. That is rarely the case. Instead, follow what feels right for you. Take that detour or reroute if your intuition is telling you to do so.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Observe your steps, patterns, and progress, exploring what does and does not work. With practice, you can better determine when to stay on a course and when to leave. To achieve anything meaningful usually requires time and commitment, so be sure you are giving all that you can to your ambition. Don’t be too quick to pull the plug when something is challenging, boring, or not successful. Keep focused on your next steps unless you genuinely feel called off your course.
You may get nudged off a path so that you can pursue another one that is more fitting. Sometimes a job, relationship, or creative goal has served its purpose, and it is time to move on. This should be done with great insight, though; otherwise, you may repeat the same pattern in your next job, relationship, or goal. Therefore, don’t give up too quickly or for the wrong reasons. If you do choose to pursue a new route, choose to do so with great enthusiasm and dedication.
Shut Down Naysayers (They Mess with Your Creation Powers)
People may discourage you. Listen, but don’t always believe them. They may have good intentions, but they do not know your capabilities. Heck, you may not even know your capabilities. Few people know what they are capable of because so few people stretch themselves in a manner to find out.
Receive the suggestions of others objectively, taking what serves you and discarding what doesn’t. Consider these: What are the naysayer’s motivations for their criticism? Do they have the authority, knowledge, and experience to suggest to you what you should do? (Usually, no).
When you buy into unnecessary limitations, it hinders your ability to see and realize your potential. Remember that you were created by a Divine and unlimited Source who wants to see you thrive.
Finding Your Next Step
As you traverse your unique and self-determined path, know that you possess both the will and the way. If you have a vision, you have within you the power to make it happen. With each step that appears, trust that the Universe conspires to support you in all ways. Therefore, take inspired steps and trust that They will help guide you to your intended destination.
Savor the process and enjoy the clues along the way. And remember, as you take your next steps, be thankful that you are always in good Spiritual company.