Just Watch Your Next Step
Written on: 6th April 2025
This week, I’ve been reflecting deeply on how our beliefs shape our actions, clarity, and ultimately our lives. I’d love to share some insights and stories that significantly impacted me recently.
Small Steps, Big Impact
I recently revisited the story from Charlie Mackesy’s book, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,”:
The boy and his companions find themselves in dense fog, losing sight of their path. Anxiety starts creeping in, uncertainty clouding their judgment. The boy becomes visibly worried, uncertain about how they will reach their destination.
The horse calmly asks, “Can you see your next step?” The boy hesitantly replies, “Yes.” With gentle assurance, the horse encourages, “Then take it.”
After taking the step, the horse asks again, “Can you see your next step?” With slightly more confidence, the boy responds, “Yes.” Once more, the horse gently insists, “Take it.” Step by step, guided only by the immediate path in front of them, they gradually navigate through the fog until they finally reach their goal.
This simple wisdom clarified my recent confusion about relocation, career choices, and my future. Rather than worrying about the distant future, I’ve started focusing solely on the very next step—one step at a time.
And now that, I have firmly decided to continue living and working in Ireland as a data engineer, suddenly everything aligned. My actions, energy, and focus became clear.
Rather than getting scattered with which country would be the next best, what career will pay me well and yada yada yada, I became focused and not lieing suddenly I have started recieving inbound oppurtunities with really good offers. Now my entire focus is to lock in, learn the tech and get that long due job upgrade.
Here’s the best method which I have been using in my daily productivity: Set one significant goal each night for the next day.
This goal should align with one of three areas of life — Health, Wealth, or Relationships. For me, that looks like learning more about Data engineering and submitting job applications, committing to my fitness goals, and nurturing relationships.
So, if anything comes up and that doesn’t contribute to either of the buckets I am not doing it. This has helped me get past the feeling of being busy but not productive towards meaningful goals.
One way to make sure you’ll achieve your goals is
Accountability partners
Speaking of fitness, I have taken a 10k steps challenge. Initially, I struggled with consistency, finding it challenging to motivate myself every single day. To raise the stakes, I set up an accountability group where each participant faces a penalty of ₹5,000 if we miss more than five days of the 10K steps goal this month (April). Knowing there’s real money on the line and friends closely observing and judging my progress has boosted my commitment. Will see how it goes.
Each morning, when motivation feels low, the idea of letting down my accountability group or losing money drives me to push harder.
Seeing everyone else succeed along with me has turned a routine challenge into a rewarding, shared journey, significantly building my confidence and resilience. You can join too if You’re Serious or I’ll kick you out from the group.
This is from yesterday (4th April)
I’ve also restarted swimming lessons, conquering an old fear of water. Overcoming this fear has significantly improved my self-image and confidence beyond just swimming—it’s genuinely evolved my character. You know how kinda like Character Upgrade in Games.
I’ve also restarted swimming lessons, conquering an old fear of water that had lingered since childhood. The motivation came from an unforgettable day at the beach with my friend—while she swam and enjoyed freely, I found myself standing like a chump, unable to join in because of my fear. That moment deeply embarrassed me and I was like I will learn swimming until the next summer begin i.e. 2025. And I can proudly say I can swim, but taking in these lessons so now I can learn diving and improve.
Initially, was intimidating, similar to starting a new character in a video game low level, lacking skills, and unsure. However, this realization struck deeper. I began viewing each new challenge or fear in my life a chance for character development.
Just like in games, where each small achievement gives experience points, unlocking new abilities and increasing the character’s confidence, overcoming each real-life challenge genuinely boosted my personal growth.
Whether it was swimming, taking up a new skill, or pushing myself through the 10K steps challenge, I recognised every step forward was upgrading my character in real life, enhancing my overall confidence, self-image, and internal happiness.
Family is the only motivation you need
To give some context dad son relationships has a bit friction in them. Could be due to as men we don’t express. There is no such thing.
During a casual video call, I jokingly teased my dad about something. My mom barged in, asking my dad if he felt offended by my teasing. To my surprise, he replied calmly,
“I’m actually happy. Whenever a son jokes openly with his father, it means he’s confident about himself and his abilities. Earlier, he(I) saw me(my Dad) as an authority figure and feared interacting freely. Now, he’s grown confident in himself, which shows in how freely he communicates. As a dad, I couldn’t be prouder.”
This statement hit me hard. It showed me the strength of unconditional family love and support, reminding me to prioritise family relationships above everything else. Your family truly is your strongest anchor.
Honestly, it took me 22 years to realise this. Before while I was with them never understood the importance but man, now I regret choosing random BS with friends over family dinners.
Btw, if you fancy watch this video which goes more in depth on the same.
Love to end highlight this thought,
I’ve realised that if your life’s goal revolves around being the provider for your family—giving them everything they sacrificed or couldn’t have—then no distraction can derail your efforts, and no external motivation can surpass this intrinsic drive.
When I surprised my Family visiting India first time after a year
And btw if you still feel distracted you can check Opal which blocks your social media. This truly has been a game changer for me.
Your Network is your Networth
Yesterday went on a call with few members from the Journey Club Community. And seeing people from different backgrounds younger than me earning $3K/mo, really made me push my boundaries and limits.
That’s the beauty of investing in a mentor and a community. While on the call I came up with an idea which has a potential to scale upto €10K revenue mark. I believe it’s never about How you can fix is problem, it’s more about whom you know who can help you. And that’s exactly the base of the business idea.
Can’t share more.
If you see a video recording of me talking about then that’s an indication I made it. Because don’t wanna share something as of now. But once I succeed then won’t hold back.
Random
Listening: An Underrated Skill
I also realised the immense power of simply listening. In a world full of talkers, becoming a better listener has deepened my connections and made conversations richer and more meaningful. Just listen—without interrupting or comparing.
How to be a bad listener, my guide
If someone is sharing their experience and you jump in with Same I had the same experience or worst you know what happened with me one day.
If someone is sharing their problems or letting it out with you, providing the most logical answers. Well they don’t want to know the logical solution they do know it. But in the moment they need someone who can just listen.
Anyways that’s all for the week.
Resources I have been watching:
How to become a Good Copy writer - because WhatsApp text, Email, referrals, resume, SOP, Content, script, etc everything is a copy and in the world of Ai this is the only leverage humans will have is being Authentic yet communicating effectively.
Learn to Dress well. Why? Watch this
In the Mind of Procrastinator - this is why you procrastinate
Btw, whenever you feel you’re ready. This is how I can help you:
Book a 1:1 consultation call with me
Also watch how I spent my weekend after failing my driving test
See you next week!