One Step at a Time: Dreaming Big and Starting Small

"You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
Martin Luther King Jr.

Recently, in a morning group at Woodhaven, the boys and I had a conversation about goal-setting that left a lasting impression. At first, their goals were enormous—dreams so far out of reach they risked feeling discouraging. But as we talked, I was reminded that the power of goal-setting doesn’t lie in the big dream itself. It’s in breaking it down—finding small, doable steps we can take each day. That mindset is essential in recovery, and just as important for us as parents trying to find balance in our own lives.

One of the boys had a goal many of us can relate to: he wanted to go home. It was simple, yet monumental. For him, going home represented the end of a difficult chapter—and the hope of a fresh start. But it felt too big to tackle all at once. So, together, we broke it down. Instead of focusing solely on that end goal, we looked at the next right step. He decided that by Saturday, he’d work on Step 2 of his AA program with staff support. Suddenly, the path forward became clearer. He went from feeling stuck in a distant goal to taking ownership of a small, meaningful action. And that step wasn’t just a task—it was real progress.

Another boy shared a big dream, too: earning a six-figure salary by his early 20s. An admirable ambition—but also a long-term vision. So we asked: what could he do now to begin laying the foundation? His breakthrough came when he realized it wasn’t about the money—not yet. It was about building consistency and trust. He committed to calling his sponsor twice a week for a month. That became his goal—specific, actionable, and within reach. In that moment, he understood something powerful: recovery isn’t just about big transformations. It’s about small, steady steps that build resilience and confidence over time.

That conversation stayed with me. It reinforced something I’ve always believed: goal-setting isn’t about grand declarations or immediate results. It’s about breaking big ideas into manageable pieces. It’s about taking action today—not tomorrow, not next year, but now. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s one question that helps: What’s one thing I can do this week? Choose one step. One action. That’s where momentum begins.

I try to apply this in my own life, too. As a parent, I know I can’t fix everything at once. One of my big goals is finding more balance—between work, family, and the many things that fill my days. It’s a daunting goal, and some days, I don’t know where to start. But I’ve learned that progress happens through small, intentional steps. This week, my goal is simple: take ten minutes, three times, to meditate. It’s not dramatic, but it’s something I can do—and that’s what matters.

We don’t need to have it all figured out. That’s often where we get stuck—setting goals so high we lose sight of the ground beneath us. But when we break things down into clear, doable steps, we create movement. And movement leads to growth. One small win at a time.

Of course, setbacks happen. Goals shift. Life throws curveballs. What matters is the ability to reflect, adjust, and keep going. Goals aren’t static—they evolve with us. And it’s through revisiting, refining, and recommitting that we continue to grow.

So—what’s one big goal you’re working toward? And what’s one small step you can take this week to move closer? It doesn’t have to be monumental. It just has to be now. Because recovery, like life, is a process. And it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. One step, one day, at a time.

As we keep setting goals—for ourselves, our loved ones, our families—let’s remember that it’s okay to start small. The small steps carry us forward. They’re the foundation of everything else.

Let’s keep going. Even the smallest action can make the biggest difference.