Embracing the Wobbly Journey: Redefining "Baby Steps"
Me. Circa 1971, with the latest tech.
We've got the old, tired saying take baby steps, all wrong.
I mean, think about it. Babies learning to walk aren’t cautious and methodical. They are pretty hilarious and often quite reckless.
What’s the lesson here?
For me, I think it's not about taking small, careful steps. One. At. A. Time.
No, in my experience, trying anything new at work is actually about...
the wobbly, tricky stand-up
the "table surfing" and tentative letting go
the lurch forward as if across a precipice (and not a carpeted floor)
the fall-on-your-bum, private-public tears, and determined do-over, and over, and over.
Or, how about the squeal of delight—and the swell of innate fear—from onlookers who love you and want nothing more than to be there, alongside you, when you succeed? Who just want to witness the moment with you?
We devalue so much of the true richness of learning and growth when we shorthand our newest trials, efforts, and adventures to "take baby steps."
Next time, avoid the diminishment.
Don't hide your brave and real efforts behind the label "baby steps."
Instead, feel the full journey—with its challenges and joys—knowing that personal growth comes from those deeply human slo-mo steps that scare and delight us most.
Here are a few tips to support this reframe:
Celebrate the wobbles and the moments of uncertainty as essential components of your journey.
Seek out mentors, friends, and colleagues who can cheer you on and provide guidance when needed.
Document your small victories—it’s a map to see how far you've come.
Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and stay focused on making consistent progress.
Treat yourself with the same compassion and encouragement you would offer to a loved one.
So, let’s embrace the wobbly. Personal development isn't about perfection; it's about perseverance, a half-dash of courage, and the grit to push on, one beautifully imperfect step at a time.
