The Next Thing
TODAY’S LAUGH: Years ago, I asked a writer friend how he managed to get six books published in six years. “I just do the next thing,” he said.
I told him, “Well my ‘next thing’ is to write my first book, but thinking about that makes me feel like my brain is going to explode!”
“I knew a guy whose brain did that,” he said and then he laughed at the idea, proving my suspicion that writers are warped individuals. Then he gave me this life-changing advice:
“Your next thing is not to write a whole book. Your next thing is to write a page or a paragraph or maybe just a sentence. Maybe just the next word.”
What a relief. My brain might not be exploding after all.
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I took his advice and, by just doing the next thing, wrote three books. And then, my brain still semi-intact, I started thinking how this approach might apply to the rest of life.
Just doing the next thing is not “clean the whole house.” Maybe 
it’s Flylady’s advice to “shine the sink.”
Just doing the next thing is not “design a fabulous marketing campaign that will wow the client.” Maybe the next thing is “schedule team brainstorming session.” (Check out Getting Things Done for more “next action” advice.)
Just doing the next thing is not “lose fifty pounds” or “quit smoking forever” or “get sober.” The next thing might be to skip tonight’s dessert or make an appointment with the doctor or research recovery programs online.
Just doing the next thing is not, “Resolve huge issues with _____!” (Fill in the blank with whoever or whatever is the crazy-maker in your life.) The next thing might be to pray for wisdom, sensitivity, patience or guidance.
Tiny actions will add up to huge progress, but for now, whatever it is in front of you, just do the next thing.
“Get blog posted” was my next thing today. And now I’m going to do the next thing: take a nap.
May you be a blessing to someone else today and be blessed in the process.
