When I walk, which I try to do as many days as possible, I listen to podcasts. I often hear something that I want to remember, and stop and make a note of it. This morning while thinking of this post, I looked at my podcasts notes, and this thought spoke to me. The entire note is: “It isn’t the last step you took, it is the next step you take.” This thought has many applications. I will list a few.

’It isn’t the last step you took, it is the next step you take” makes me think of the ten (small, but still 10!) cookies I ate yesterday. Yes, ten! Now those ten cookies were not all eaten at one time, they were eaten at three different times during the day. But I ate ten cookies when I should have only eaten two or three. I am a sweet-a-holic. I sometimes think that I need to stop eating sweets altogether. As I was putting the last three cookies in my mouth last night, I was able to stop myself at three, although I wanted more. I considered that a victory! The real victory will be if I do not have any cookies today.

I find that several times a month I eat too many sweets. While I am doing so, I tell myself that I will finish what I am eating, then the next day get serious again about my healthy eating plan. I am usually able to do that. I weigh most every day, and stay within two pounds of my goal weight. But I am still at least five pounds heavier than I want to be. I know the problem with sweets contributes to that five pounds.

Now, eating too many sweets may not be your challenge. But I imagine you have one. This quote, “It isn’t the last step you took, it is the next step you take” is about change. We all have things we want to change. We know that to change something, we have to change our behavior. And behavior change is the hardest change to make. Usually the obstacle we face when attempting to change is ourself.

The butterfly is a symbol of change. AI (which is an example of change) says the butterfly embodies rebirth and the ability to embrace change. Another AI resource lists the following 7 Steps to Change Your Life: 1. Stop making Excuses. 2. Set Goals. 3. Create a Routine. 4. Hold Yourself Accountable. 5. Track Your Progress. 6. Failure is Integral to Success. 7. Exercise.

When I started my Leadership Development business in the early ‘90’s I decided that my mission was, and still is: “To Inspire Positive Change.” I knew that the only way to live my mission was to be the change I wanted to see in others. Some days I succeed, and some days I fail. (Think eating 10 cookies!) I am encouraged by #6 in the 7 Steps to Change Your Life,” Failure is Integral to Success.”

While reading this post, I believe there are some thoughts that you have, and the thoughts are about you, not what I am sharing. What is the next step you need to take? Not, what is the last step you took, for that is over. It is too late for woulda, shoulda, coulda.

But it is not too late for the next step.