What is your small step today? What are your butterflies?

This is my entry into @dragosroua ‘s #challenge30days.

I lived in Minnesota for 8 years where Garrison Keillor was an institution. Or should I say when Garrison Keillor was an institution? #metoo but back to my story. Garrison Keillor got famous writing about

Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.

Sounds a bit like Facebook. A romanticized version of the world that we all have trouble living up to but unfortunately all too quickly compare ourselves to. Another Garrison Keillor running bit was an advertisement for Powdermilk Biscuits.

Powdermilk Biscuits give shy people the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.

Oftentimes, the most important step is the one out of bed in the morning.

Maybe your butterflies aren’t being shy. Maybe your job isn’t interesting right now. Maybe you are fighting with family. Maybe you are just worn out. Getting up to face the world for another day is an important small step. Getting up and doing what needs to be done is significant. As Woody Allen says “80 percent of life is show up.” Show up for your life today.

For me, I’ve had my current business for about 8 years. The newness is gone. The business isn’t as profitable as it once was. The things that gave me energy when we first bought the business are now a grind. But selling the business will take some time. And I have some financial commitments to meet along the way besides the fact that a well-run business sells better. So here I am. Everyday, I have to swing my legs out of bed and do what needs to be done. That’s my small step.

In life and in business, it’s necessary to balance the everyday with the long term. So while I manage the business short term, I have also started taking steps to sell the business. Contacting potential purchasers or lead generators. Cleaning up the books. Some small steps are being taken there too.

What’s my new adventure? Sometimes you never know until it starts. That story will begin with a small step as well. Sometimes you only know looking back where your new adventure started. Which step started you down this path.