What Is The Next Reasonable Task?
Questions have different weights. There are heavy questions that increase familiarity in relationships, powerful questions that drill into important territory, and light questions that teach us something quirky and new. What is the next reasonable task? This is a question with a sense of ease and lightness about it. The invitation is only to the next thing, not five steps ahead, not a weighty purpose or calling type question. What is THE NEXT reasonable task? Usually, the next reasonable task is a simple step. Those small steps that we take with thoughtful engagement keep us moving forward. Doing the next reasonable task relieves some pressure. Sometimes we are faced with large dilemmas, huge tangled messes that can stop us in our tracks. This simple question works there, too. Rarely is any problem solved with just one decision. It takes a lot of small decisions and steps to solve thorny issues. So even in the face of a conundrum, this question can show us the path forward. Sometimes the next reasonable task is sitting down with a cup of tea. Reasonable is an important work to consider in this question. Reasonable means fair, sensible, moderate, or appropriate. When we are thinking about a reasonable decision or step we are thinking about what could be done, not what is perfect or the very best decision. It’s not about perfection, it is about what we can realistically do. My dad always says, “sometimes right, sometimes wrong, never in doubt.” In other words, just make a decision, own the decision, and move forward. When you combine what is the next reasonable task, with sometimes right, sometimes wrong, never in doubt it WILL get you unstuck. This power couple reminds us just do the next thing. That step will lead you to the next step. Forward movement is better than being stuck. The next reasonable task is an antidote to over-analysis paralysis. It can serve as a reminder that we do not have to eat the elephant in one bite. We just have to keep taking small bites. All those small decisions made one at a time, will get us to where we need to be. We can have lots of strategies and plans (and that is good) but, when it comes down to it, all we can really do is just keep doing the next task. The next reasonable task will always get us to where we need to be. “We betray ourselves into smallness when we think the little choices of each day are trivial.” -Helen Keller If you like these questions, please consider SUBSCRIBING to The Art of Powering Down; Questions to Recharge Your Soul… Every week there is a question that will gently challenge you, encourage you, or help you live your life with more intention, grace, and purpose. (Sharing these reflections and questions with friends is the greatest compliment!)
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