And how do we do it?

Start with a goal you’d like to work on. This could be a self-improvement goal, a career goal, a relationship goal or something else. Let’s do a couple of examples. If your goal is to make more friendships, but you get anxious when meeting new people, your first small step might be joining a local Facebook group that shares a similar interest/hobby with you. The following week, your small step could be introducing yourself to the group. The following week could be asking someone in the group to get coffee or attending a group event.

If your goal is to get better at public speaking and reduce your fear ahead of a big presentation, your first small step could be watching some videos on how to be a better speaker. The next week your step could be standing in front of a mirror and practising your presentation. The following week, do your speech in front of someone you trust or join a public speaking group.

What are some common pitfalls of your One Good Thing? How can we avoid them?

The most common pitfall is not proactively planning what your small step will be that week and how you’re going to take action on it. You’ll be far more likely to stick to it if you set aside some time in your calendar to follow through. Without a reminder, you may forget about it entirely or let it fall to the bottom of your priority list. Making progress to improve your confidence should be a priority, so make sure you have a reminder in your calendar every week. Choose a time when you know you’ll be available to spend a few minutes on your small step.

The other thing you can do is break down the steps – as I’ve done in the examples above – so you know exactly what small step you’re going to take each week. This will save you from having to think too much when the time comes. You can spend that time taking action.

One Good Thing: take small steps each week to go outside your comfort zone