In these times when feeling blocked or stuck is common, finding a simple way to move forward can make all the difference. You don't always need intensive productivity therapy or a radical transformation to start changing. Sometimes, it's enough to pause and ask yourself the right question.
Dr. Mario Alonso Puig, a mental health expert, has surprised many with an unexpected reflection during his interview on the podcast Tenía la duda. In a friendly tone, he shared an idea that has resonated with thousands of people. "What can get you out of the hole is a question," he explained.
One question to start getting unstuck
Far from motivational speeches, Puig has defended the power of a very specific question: "What's the smallest step I dare to take?" With this approach, he suggests breaking through stagnation with minimal but meaningful actions. Because, according to him, when someone feels they can move something, even if it's very little, they start to get unstuck.
During the interview, he shared the case of a senior executive who couldn't manage to organize his office and felt overwhelmed by that simple task. Following his advice, he started by placing a few sheets of paper and then some pens, and without realizing it, he had finished organizing the entire space. That gave him back a sense of control.
The first step doesn't have to be big, just possible
The case has shown the importance of regaining a sense of personal capability, according to Puig. When someone has felt they can do something small, an inner transformative movement has been set in motion. This way, it's not about solving everything at once, but about starting change with a first push.
This approach contrasts with the usual speeches that promote drastic changes, demanding routines, or total reinvention plans. The expert suggests something much kinder: starting movement with a gesture so small that it becomes almost inevitable. Because when the effort seems overwhelming, the smallest thing becomes what's possible.
Daring to start: the key to moving forward
The reflection has had considerable resonance on social media, where thousands of users have adopted this idea to overcome emotional blocks. For Puig, the key isn't to find quick solutions, but to ask yourself the right question. Daring to take that first step, no matter how small, represents the true beginning of any change.
Because when someone stops asking themselves "What do I do with all this?" and starts asking "What can I do now, even if it's little?" they've already taken the first step. In that humble gesture, all the strength that seemed lost may be hidden.