Before we dive in today, let me name something many people are quietly wrestling with this time of year:
You want to make some changes.
You need something to shift.
And with New Year’s Day just around the corner, you’re teetering in that in-between space: caught between the comfort of waiting for a “fresh start” and the discomfort of not wanting to stay stuck anymore.
There’s a rhythm to the end of the year.
It whispers, “Hold on… just a little longer… January is coming.”
And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting a clean slate, here’s the truth no one talks about:
The longer you wait to start small, the heavier everything begins to feel.
And nobody understands this better than someone who’s been burnout for far too long.
Because burnout doesn’t show itself when you’re maintaining the status quo.
It reveals itself the moment you try to make a change.
That’s when even the tiniest step feels like pushing a boulder uphill.
That’s when your motivation disappears, not because you’re lazy, but because you’re exhausted.
So today, I want to offer you a gentler path.
A path that doesn’t demand big moves, dramatic resolutions, or a brand-new personality on January 1st…
but instead honors something far more honest:
✨ Small steps count.
More than you realize.
More than you’ve ever been taught.
More than your burnout will let you believe.
If all you can do today is show up for one small shift, one reset, one intentional moment, one choice, that is enough.
And it’s not just enough…
It’s how real change begins. One small step at a time.
The Truth About Burnout & Tiny Steps
Most people think burnout looks like being flat on your back, unable to function.
But the more dangerous version, the silent version, is when you can still perform, but everything feels harder than it should.
Burnout isn’t always collapse.
Sometimes it’s:
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The inbox you open three times without replying
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The project you start… then walk away from
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The decision you keep postponing
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The life change you want, but can’t seem to pursue
And here’s why tiny steps matter:
When you’re burned out, your capacity shrinks.
And that’s not a character flaw. It’s biology, psychology, and nervous system fatigue.
Small steps give your mind and body a chance to re-engage without overwhelming you.
They rebuild trust with yourself.
They rebuild confidence.
They rebuild momentum, the kind you can actually sustain.
Because motivation doesn’t grow from big goals.
It grows from small wins.
This Week’s Reset Prompt
→ Pause
The moment you feel yourself procrastinating or resisting a task, no matter how small, pause.
Take a short walk away from your desk. Drink a cup of water. Give yourself a moment to take a few deep breaths and name it.
→ Orient
Ask yourself:
Are you unable to make a move because you're burned out?
Is this something that needs to be done?
Can you downsize the task to something more achievable just to get started?
→ Choose
Choose to do something, anything, no matter how small it may seem.
Don't feel like you can write out the whole email? Just begin with the first sentence.
Don't have 30 minutes for a full workout? Just move around for 10 minutes.
Feel like you can't do one more thing? Just choose what the next best step is and take one step.
What It Looks Like After you go into Small-Step Mode
When you embrace micro-momentum, everything shifts:
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Decisions feel clearer
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Tasks feel doable rather than overwhelming
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Your energy stabilizes
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You stop spiraling and start inching forward
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You end the day feeling proud instead of drained
Small steps won’t magically solve burnout overnight…
but they unstick the parts of you that have been frozen for too long.
📌 One More Thought Before You Go
You don’t have to wait for January 1st to reclaim your energy or begin making positive changes.
You can start today: gently, quietly, and in a way that honors where you truly are in this season.
Small steps count.
And they always have.
Start Your Small Step Today
If today’s message resonated, here’s your next small step:
👉 Subscribe to the free “Make It Through Your Workday Without Losing Your Mind” mini-course
(Coming soon! Just reply “yes” right here, and I’ll send it the moment it’s ready.)
