"One Day At A Time"

In this episode of WORDS MATTER, Deanna Ley, The Catalytic Coach, explores the powerful phrases “One day at a time” and “One step at a time”.

These simple yet profound reminders help us stay present and focused while encouraging small, meaningful actions that create progress. Deanna introduces her daily reflection practice - ACE the Day - as a way to anchor ourselves in the moment and build momentum for growth.

This episode invites listeners to embrace the present, find joy in the journey, and trust that every small step forward matters.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• ONE DAY AT A TIME grounds us in the present moment.
• ONE STEP AT A TIME encourages taking small, actionable steps forward.
• How combining these ideas creates a rhythm for steady progress.
• Why life’s journey is rarely a straight path but always worth the effort.
• The importance of appreciating the here and now while trusting that each step matters.
• How ACE the Day (Accomplishments, Challenges, Excitements) can transform daily reflection into a foundation for growth.
• Why words—especially the ones we say to ourselves—truly matter.

Memorable Quotes:

• “One day at a time grounds us in the now. One step at a time moves us forward.”
• “You don’t have to take on the whole mountain at once—just focus on the next step.”
• “Growth happens step by step, day by day.”

This episode encourages listeners to honor where they are, embrace the present moment, and trust that each step forward brings them closer to their Possible.

Transcript

Hello, my amazing friends, welcome to another episode of Words Matter. Today, I want to talk about a phrase we've all heard: One day at a time. Such a simple yet powerful reminder to stay present and focused on what's right in front of us.

But let's be honest—some days, even taking it one day at a time can feel super overwhelming. And that's where my favorite phrase, one step at a time, comes in to complete the picture. These two ideas really aren't separate at all. They're partners, working together to create a rhythm for progress.

One day at a time grounds us in the present, helping us focus on the here and now. One step at a time encourages us to take action, no matter how small, so we can keep moving forward. Together, they remind us that growth happens step by step, day by day.

Here's the thing: life's journey—the journey we're on—is rarely a straight path. Whether you're healing, growing, or chasing a dream, it's easy to feel paralyzed by how far you still have to go. But when we combine one day at a time and one step at a time, we're reminded that we don't have to take on the whole mountain all at once. We can simply focus on that next step, that next moment.

And here's something I've discovered along the way: it's not just about the steps or the days. It's about soaking in the moment you're in right now. When we take a breath and truly experience where we are, without fixating on the destination, we free ourselves to find the joy in the journey. This moment—this one right here—holds so much value. It's where growth happens, where lessons are learned, where the joy in our lives lives.

For me, this idea is really personal. There have been so many times in my life when the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be felt impossibly wide. Whether it was rebuilding my health, navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, or stepping into new roles that stretched me in unexpected ways, I've learned it's not about moving fast—it's about moving forward.

It's about appreciating the here and now and trusting that each step matters. That's why I developed a practice I call ACE the Day to bring these two concepts together. It's a simple but powerful way to reflect and refocus:

• A – Accomplishments: What did I do today that I'm proud of?
• C – Challenges: What challenges did I face today, and what solutions helped me overcome them?
• E – Excitements: What am I looking forward to next? What excites me?

This ACE the Day practice supports one day at a time by anchoring me in the present and helping me see the value of today. It also supports one step at a time by showing me that every small action and every solution found is a step forward. Together, these practices form a powerful foundation for growth.

They help us honor where we are, embrace the present moment, and trust that each step forward—no matter how small—carries us closer to our Possible.

I hope you know that the words we see, read, hear, and say to ourselves about ourselves—what we're doing and how we're doing it—all matter. Those words matter because you matter. Have a great day.