One Step at a Time

 

Yesterday, I noticed something small, but it stuck with me.

As I was walking, I realized I didn’t need to look down at every step. For weeks, I have been doing just that, watching carefully and making sure I felt steady. It was part of the healing.

But yesterday felt a little different.

I caught myself looking ahead. Not the whole time, I still glanced down now and then, but enough to notice the shift.

And it made me think about the job search.

In the beginning, it feels a lot like looking down at your feet. You are focused on the next step. Your résumé. Your LinkedIn profile. Networking, maybe for the first time in a long time. Each step takes thought, and sometimes a little courage.

It can feel slow and at times frustrating.

But those small steps are doing more than you think.

Over time, if you keep at it something changes. You get a bit more comfortable and confident. You start to lift your head and think not just about the next step, but about where you are going. The kind of role you want. The kind of company you want to share your skill set with.

You're still careful but you're looking ahead.

I guess that is how progress works, whether it is healing or a job search. It's not one big leap, but a series of small steps that slowly build confidence.

Yesterday, I noticed I was looking ahead and that felt like progress.