How would you describe yourself these days? Has that answer stayed the same, or has it been shifting?
Every day, we’re gathering evidence about who we think we are—often without realizing it. We form opinions about ourselves the same way we form them about others, by watching our actions.
If you notice someone acting kindly, you naturally think of them as kind. When you notice yourself acting with persistence, curiosity, or care, your self-image adjusts to include those qualities.
One small, intentional step can change how we see ourselves, and that’s where a hopeful vision for the future begins to feel believable.
This week’s focus is on noticing and naming those kinds of steps in your own life. As you pay attention to what you are already doing—sending the email, taking the class, making the call—you’re not just moving toward a future you hope for; you’re steadily shaping the way you see yourself right now.
What kind of evidence have you been quietly collecting about who you are becoming?
Changing Your Story, One Step at a Time
One former client who dreamed of becoming a published author didn’t wait until she secured a book deal to call herself a writer; she wrote regularly, connected with other writers, finished a full draft of a novel, and is now revising it while drafting a second one.
With each step, “someone who wishes she could write” quietly became “someone who is a writer.”
Another client is reshaping his work identity by talking directly with people in the new fields he’s considering. Instead of researching alone and guessing from job descriptions, he schedules informational interviews, asks specific questions about day‑to‑day work, and follows up to keep those relationships warm.
Each conversation not only clarifies which paths fit him best, it also reinforces a new story: he is someone who can reach out, build connections, and actively guide his own career transition.
How to Notice (and Name) the Small Steps
Progress rarely arrives all at once. It unfolds through small, steady efforts that don’t always feel like much in the moment—but they’re the very proof that growth is happening. When we pause to notice what’s working, we strengthen our confidence and capacity for hope. Take these steps to create proof that you are moving forward:
- Count every action that moves your life in a helpful direction: emails sent, conversations started, classes researched, rest that restored you.
- At the end of the day or week, document three concrete things you did that support your longer-term goals.
- When your inner critic says “nothing is happening,” read that list to remind yourself that progress is actually in motion.
- Celebrate the small successes along the way—anything from telling a friend about your win to treating yourself to a special dinner out.
This Week’s Challenge
I’d love to hear from you!
- How are you celebrating a small success on the way to a bigger goal? If you’re not sure, leave me a comment and share what you’ve been up to—I’ll help you spot and celebrate the wins with you.
Need Support Shifting Your Story?
If you’d like help balancing future goals with present-moment appreciation, email me at dianna@collierclan.net for a free consultation.
Dianna Collier 