Raise your hands if you’ve seen Frozen 2. If you are anything like me, with little ones in the house, you may have it playing on repeat and be intimately familiar with the story, the songs, and may even catch yourself singing along. Whether you know it word for word, or have yet to see it, bear with me, I promise there is a valid reason for bringing it up… and for the giving following synopsis.
As the movie starts, there is a focus on things that are certain and unchanging in the lives of the main characters, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Elsa. Joy and love are abundant, but you can assume, based on the always entertaining music, that a change is coming. Of course, when it happens, it comes in true Disney fashion… in a BIG way.
As things begin crashing down (literally) in the Kingdom of Arrendele with uncertainty laying before everyone, the wise Grand Pabbie Troll shares these words “When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing.”
The characters, of course, step forward into adventure, continually overcoming obstacles and moving forward by doing “the next right thing.’ Finally, when all seems lost, Anna, the princess of Arendelle, is huddled alone, broken and lost on the ground, uncertain of how she can even continue when she remembers the words of Grand Pabbie Troll. Little by little, she stands, taking one step at a time she does the next right thing (of course singing a brilliantly inspiring song the entire time). Yes, this is a Disney movie, so of course, Anna saves everyone. But, the real lesson is one of resilience, of moving one step at a time forward and that even in the most uncertain of times, you do the next right thing.
Now, this is a time where we all are facing challenges—some more than others. The present is difficult to handle for many and to be honest, the future is full of the unknown.
No matter what is happening, I keep coming back to the advice of Grand Pabbie Troll, “When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing.”
Yes, my new mantra, how I am choosing to approach my life and my business, is pulled directly from a Disney movie. No matter what, I am trying to do the next right thing. This next right thing changes, moment by moment, day by day, and right now that is exactly what I need… what so many of us need. Given the current situation, given my personal needs and given my business’s needs, one step at a time is right… one step at a time is about all any of us can manage.
Do the next right thing.
The way I’m approaching things is by focusing on the three areas most important to me at this time. I ask:
- What is the next right thing for me?
- What is the next right thing for those I love?
- What is the next right thing for the greater good?
Here’s what’s happened for me with this approach,
- I’ve read an entire book that was not about business or self-help (something I haven’t done since before my son was born over 1.5 years ago).
- I’ve worked with my husband to create a plan for keeping my daughter entertained, challenged, and learning while she’s home with no preschool.
- I’ve created a low-cost offer to help a group of people get programs and workshops online quickly… so I can help more people in a shorter time by sharing the knowledge I have.
Now the reality is I have no idea if I’ll get to read another book like that any time soon… but it was the right thing to do at that time. I have no idea if we’ll keep up the “work” we are doing with my daughter… but for now, it feels good to have a tiny bit of structure for her. Lastly, I have no idea if people will sign up for my program, but it feels right to put the offer out there in case somebody does need my help.
The next right thing doesn’t have to have a long term result. The next right thing may not be a solution to everything or anything really. That’s not the point of doing the next right thing and never should be. The next right thing could be as simple as drinking a cup of coffee or cleaning out your closet. It could be figuring out a way to serve your knowledge forward or sharing something that brought you joy with someone you love.
When you choose to do the next right thing, it doesn’t have to be big or grand. If it helps, brings ease, or creates some sort of positive feeling or experience for just a little while… it’s worth it.
So, wherever you are, whatever you are experiencing, I encourage you to follow this advice and do the next right thing. If you are struggling, wondering what to do in such uncertain times close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and ask what is the next right thing I can do?
