One small step, one giant leap
One Small Step in Reality, One Giant Leap in Your Mind
The notebook stayed closed for years. The gap between what we intend and what we do is not laziness: it is psychology, and it can be unpacked.
By Radha Krishnaswamy,
Ten years ago, I wanted to start journaling. I knew it was good for me. I even bought the perfect notebook and kept it on my bedside table.
Every night, I would tell myself, “Tomorrow, I will start.”
But tomorrow came and went… and the notebook stayed closed.
What looked like a simple action on the outside, picking up a pen, felt like climbing Everest on the inside.
And here’s the thing: it’s not laziness. It’s psychology.
Why we struggle to act on what we know is good for us
The gap between our intentions and our actions is more complex than just "motivation". Several invisible forces hold us back:
- Vagueness: "I want to journal" is different from "Tonight, I'll write three sentences." Vague intentions confuse the brain; without clarity, action feels heavy.
- Lack of self-awareness: sometimes we set habits based on what we think we "should" do, rather than what we actually want. Misalignment with our deeper values creates silent resistance.
- Inner saboteurs: fear of failure, fear of judgement and perfectionism whisper: "What if I don't keep it up?" "What if it's not good enough?" These voices paralyse progress.
- Cognitive dissonance: when the habit we want conflicts with our identity ("I'm not the kind of person who journals every day"), the brain experiences friction and resists change.
- Self-judgement: each time we don't follow through, we reinforce negative beliefs about ourselves: "I can't stick to anything." Over time, these beliefs become self-fulfilling.
- Mismatch between values and goals: if journaling, exercising or meditating isn't rooted in why it matters to you personally, it feels forced and unsustainable.
This cocktail of barriers makes small steps feel like giant leaps.
Where coaching comes in
Coaching isn't about "pushing" you harder. It's about helping you unpack the resistance so the leap feels lighter:
- Turning vague desires into specific, actionable steps
- Aligning habits with your deepest values
- Identifying and quieting inner saboteurs
- Removing the weight of self-judgement
- Building gentle accountability and celebrating micro-wins
Sometimes, it’s not about doing more, it’s about understanding what’s in the way.
That night, when I finally wrote my first journal entry, it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t even profound.
But it was mine.
That one shaky step wasn’t just ink on paper, it was self-trust in motion. I had a coach by my side who helped me clarify my goals. Today I do the same for my clients.
Over time, the “giant leap” became a small, almost effortless rhythm.
If you’re feeling stuck between what you intend to do and what you actually do, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the gap isn’t about capability, it’s about clarity, alignment, and support.
If that sounds familiar, a free Clarity session is a good place to start.
