1 Hard Truth

Do the next right thing!

What a gift when a book truly changes everything for you! That’s exactly what I experienced with Henry Cloud’s Necessary Endings.

We’re conditioned to believe that “bad” situations should come to an end—but what about the good things that must end, too? Accepting that something inherently good might also have a necessary ending can be incredibly difficult.

I could dedicate an entire week to this book, but one concept stood out above all: Doing the next right thing.

Cloud shares the story of a successful businessperson who navigated tough decisions with a simple mindset shift: Detach from the outcome. When faced with hard choices, it’s easy to spiral into “what ifs” and paralyze yourself with fear. But when you let go of the need to control every possible ending and instead focus on the next right step, you free yourself from unnecessary anguish and anxiety.

✨ It will be what it will be—but you can rest knowing you did your best.

Looking back, I unknowingly applied this concept 10 years ago when I filed for divorce.

At the time, my deeply held beliefs kept me stuck. I believed in the sanctity of marriage. I didn’t want my kids to grow up in a single-parent home. And I had been taught that divorce—under any circumstance—was bad.

But the truth? My marriage wasn’t just struggling—it was toxic, abusive, and unsafe. If I had remained tied to the ultimate end of “keeping the family together,” I wouldn’t have been able to do the next right thing: leave.

Filing for divorce wasn’t the ultimate decision—it was just the next step. People cancel divorces all the time. But by choosing to remove myself and my children from that environment, I freed myself to see the truth clearly.

And woah, nelly—the moment I filed, I unleashed the hounds of hell. It was as if I had awakened a sleeping giant. Suddenly, I saw with absolute clarity who and what I was dealing with. The reality of my situation had always been there—I had just never forced it into a corner where it had to reveal itself.

In someone else’s story, filing for divorce might have sparked real change in their spouse. But you’ll never know your truth unless you make the next right decision—not based on fear, but on what’s truly best for you in the moment.

👉 What’s one decision in your life that you’ve been avoiding because you’re too focused on the outcome?

2 Practical Tips

Detach from the Outcome to Make Clearer Decisions. When making tough choices, don’t let fear of the unknown paralyze you. Instead of obsessing over every possible outcome, ask yourself: "What is the next right thing for me right now?" By focusing on the immediate step rather than the end result, you free yourself from anxiety and allow clarity to emerge.

Trust Actions Over Assumptions - Sometimes, the only way to truly see a situation for what it is—whether in relationships, career, or life—is to take action. Making a difficult decision can reveal truths that were previously hidden. If you’re unsure, take that next step and let the chips fall where they may.

3 Power Moves

Identify Where You're Stuck

Take 10 minutes to journal about a decision you’ve been avoiding. Ask yourself:

• What outcome am I afraid of?
• Am I clinging to one "specific" ending instead of focusing on the next right step?

Bringing awareness to where you're stuck is the first step in moving forward.

Define the Next Right Step (Not the Whole Plan)

Instead of mapping out every possible outcome, simplify your focus: What is one small action I can take today that aligns with my values and well-being?

• If it's a job decision, maybe it's updating your resume.
• If it's a toxic relationship, maybe it's setting a boundary.
• If it's a financial issue, maybe it's making a budget.

Take the Step and Observe

Action breeds clarity. Once you take the next right step, pause and observe what unfolds. Did new information come to light? Do you feel relief or resistance? Let each step guide the next, instead of trying to control the whole journey at once.

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