#reverb10 - You Need the Next Step

Prompt: Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?

This is such a broad question, so I'm going to take it and break it down into a couple of different pieces.

First up: I hope you don't mind but I am leaving the Reflection of the Day as is for a bit. I fell in love with this quote because it has such current, in-this-moment meaning for me. This is my first step, and I struggle with it in such a huge way: being vulnerable. I am realizing this doesn't mean be helpless or dependent or needy; it means opening yourself up to others, to experiences, to your life. It means being authentic and true to yourself. It means being a good communicator and a good person.

I used to be so good at being vulnerable, at sharing my feelings, at admitting my faults, at reflecting out loud with those closest to me. Somewhere, somewhen, somehow, I stopped. I closed up like a clam shell. I don't know why. 

So my next step in improving my closest personal relationships is to be vulnerable. To open myself up, to share something intimate, to express those feelings I fear.

Next is my health goals, and this is so simple. My next step is to take the next step. Literally... take a step. Walk, run, dance, move, do jumping jacks while making my morning coffee (I really did this yesterday). I want to be more active, to incorporate it into my lifestyle.

Finally, professionally, I am facing a huge turning point. We are wrapping up our fiscal year and beginning to plan for "next" year. I had a meeting with my manager yesterday to discuss my plan for next year -- for my area and responsibilities. I got so excited! I took on some big projects this year, but I think next year is going to be even better. We are still building the plan... heck, I haven't even really started the plan yet, so the next step is to pull together this year's results and use them to recommend next year's objectives. Wish me luck!

Now tell me, what's your next step?