Sometimes, the most important steps toward our goals are the ones we least want to take.
We may know what needs to be done, but the task feels uncomfortable, frustrating, or overwhelming. It might involve making an important phone call, asking for assistance, completing paperwork, or following up with an organization.
In this video, Adeline shares an approach to personal growth that involves choosing one area of life to focus on each week and identifying three to five meaningful actions that require extra courage and effort.
She also shares a personal example: contacting the Department of Rehabilitation, a task that can be difficult because of long hold times, voicemail messages, and her memory challenges. Having her caregiver help her with these calls makes the process more manageable.
Her experience reminds us that progress is not always about doing more. Sometimes, it is about identifying what matters and taking the next difficult step with the support we need.
đ¯ 1. Choose One Area of Your Life to Focus On
When you have several responsibilities and goals, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
You might want to improve your career, relationships, health, finances, or personal development. Trying to work on everything at once can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Adeline’s approach begins by choosing one area of life to focus on for the week.
For example, if you choose your career, you might identify tasks related to education, employment, rehabilitation services, or professional development.
If you choose relationships, you might focus on having an important conversation or reconnecting with someone.
If you choose personal organization, you might work on a task you have been postponing.
The idea is to give your attention a clear direction instead of spreading your energy across too many priorities.
Ask yourself: What area of my life would benefit most from my attention this week?
You do not have to fix everything at once. One area is a place to start.
đĒ 2. Identify Three to Five Actions That Challenge You
Once you have chosen an area, Adeline recommends writing down three to five actions that require determination and effort.
These are not necessarily the easiest tasks on your list. They are the ones you might be tempted to avoid because they feel uncomfortable, complicated, or demanding.
For example, your list might include:
đ Making an important phone call.
đŠ Following up on an application.
đ¤ Asking someone for assistance.
đ Completing paperwork you have been putting off.
đ Researching an educational or employment opportunity.
The purpose is to turn a broad goal into specific actions you can work toward.
You do not need to fill every space. Adeline explains that three to five actions are enough, so you can choose a number that feels realistic for your circumstances.
It is also important to distinguish between a task that challenges you and one that overwhelms you. You can adjust the size of an action to match your energy, abilities, and available support.
A meaningful step does not have to be enormous to count.
đ 3. Face the Tasks You Have Been Avoiding
Adeline gives a personal example of contacting the Department of Rehabilitation.
She explains that making these calls can be frustrating because she may need to wait on hold or leave voicemail messages. She also shares that memory difficulties mean she cannot comfortably manage the process alone and needs help from her caregiver.
This is an important reminder that a task can be challenging for practical reasons, not simply because someone lacks motivation.
Sometimes, the hardest part of a goal involves navigating a complicated system, remembering information, managing frustration, or having enough energy to follow through.
Instead of judging yourself for finding a task difficult, try identifying exactly what makes it challenging.
You might discover that you need to prepare questions beforehand, keep notes during a call, set a reminder to follow up, or ask someone you trust to assist you.
Courage does not mean doing everything alone. It can mean taking action while using the support and tools available to you.
đ¤ 4. Ask for Help When You Need It
One of the most meaningful parts of Adeline’s example is her willingness to work with her caregiver.
She recognizes that her memory difficulties affect her ability to make these calls independently, so she involves someone who can help her manage the process.
Asking for assistance is not a failure. It is a practical way to work around a challenge and keep moving toward a goal.
Depending on your circumstances, support might include:
đ¤ Asking someone to help you prepare for a phone call.
đ Writing down key information before contacting an organization.
đ Having a trusted person help you keep track of next steps.
đ Using calendar reminders or a checklist.
đŠē Asking a rehabilitation professional about available accommodations or resources.
For people living with a brain injury, adapting a task to their current needs can make it more manageable.
You do not have to complete a task in the same way someone else would. What matters is finding an approach that works for you.
đ 5. Break a Difficult Task Into Smaller Steps
Sometimes, a task feels so demanding that we avoid starting it altogether.
If contacting an organization feels overwhelming, for example, you do not have to think about the entire process at once.
You could break it down into smaller actions:
Step 1: Find the correct phone number.
Step 2: Write down the reason for your call and the questions you need answered.
Step 3: Decide when to call and whether you need someone to assist you.
Step 4: Make the call or leave a voicemail.
Step 5: Record what happened and identify any follow-up needed.
This approach can make a complicated task feel more manageable because you only need to focus on the next step.
If the first attempt does not work, that does not mean you have failed. You may need to try again, explore another contact method, or ask for additional assistance.
Progress often involves adjusting your approach rather than giving up on the goal.
đą 6. Build a Weekly Action Plan That Works for You
You can adapt Adeline’s approach into a simple weekly exercise.
At the beginning of the week, choose one area of life that matters to you. Then write down three to five actions that would help you make progress.
For each action, consider:
đ¯ What needs to happen? Write a clear, specific task.
â¤ī¸ Why does it matter? Connect it to a goal or need that is important to you.
𧹠What makes it difficult? Identify the obstacle before you begin.
đ¤ What support might help? Consider reminders, assistance, or breaking the task into smaller parts.
đŖ What is my next step? Choose something realistic that you can work toward.
At the end of the week, review what you accomplished and what you learned.
If you completed all your tasks, acknowledge the effort. If you completed only one or two, that still gives you information about what worked and what needs to change.
You can adjust your next week’s plan based on your energy, circumstances, and priorities.
The goal is not to pressure yourself into constant productivity. It is to help you move toward what matters in a thoughtful, sustainable way.
đ Love Love Brain Thoughts
Adeline’s experience reminds us that personal growth often involves doing something uncomfortable while recognizing our own limitations and needs.
For people living with a brain injury, everyday responsibilities may require more preparation, reminders, assistance, or recovery time than they once did. That does not make the effort less valuable.
You do not have to prove your determination by doing everything independently. Using a caregiver’s support, asking questions, and adapting a task are all valid ways to work toward your goals.
If you are feeling stuck, choose one area of life and identify one action you have been putting off. Make the task smaller if necessary, and consider who or what could help you take that step.
You can be persistent without being harsh toward yourself. You can challenge yourself while respecting your energy and abilities.
Progress is not about how difficult you make your life. It is about taking meaningful steps toward the life you want, one manageable action at a time. đ
đŦ We’d Love to Hear From You
What is one task you have been putting off that you would like to tackle this week?
Is there a person, reminder, or strategy that could help you get started?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Your idea might encourage someone else to take their next step, too.
đĨ Watch the Video
Watch Adeline explain how she identifies challenging actions and works toward her goals with the support she needs.
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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content is for education and support, not medical advice.
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