How My Small Steps can support users
Simple, realistic actions
My small steps was designed to support simple, realistic actions that promote well-being. The tool encourages users to choose small, concrete actions that fit their situation and can be completed either occasionally or regularly, depending on their needs.
By reflecting on why their small steps are important and beneficial, users can better understand what motivates them and find meaning in their actions. Their list of small steps also helps them keep track of their progress and recognize how far they have come.
Ideas to support the creation of small steps
The Small steps ideas section offers more than 60 suggestions inspired by the Getting better... my way tool. These ideas can serve as a starting point for people who need inspiration while still giving them the freedom to create their own small steps. This flexibility supports a person-centred approach, allowing goals to be personalized and adjusted over time as needs evolve.
Valuing progress, one step at a time
Rather than focusing on major changes, the approach emphasizes gradual, realistic and sustainable progress. Each small step completed can help strengthen a sense of accomplishment, highlight progress and support ongoing motivation.
In this way, My small steps promotes autonomy and helps foster hope by creating concrete opportunities for success. It can also help strengthen users' sense of self-efficacy and confidence in their abilities.
When and how to use My Small Steps
My small steps can be used at different times, depending on the person's pace, whether every day, a few times a week or whenever it works best for them. Depending on their needs, the tool can help users start making a change, maintain a habit or incorporate small actions into their daily lives that support their well-being.
Small steps can be created, repeated or modified at any time. Users can also review the small steps they have completed to track their progress and recognize their achievements.
Key considerations when using My Small Steps to support someone
Here are a few important points to keep in mind when incorporating the My small steps tool into your practice.
- Before introducing My small steps during an intervention, it can be helpful to try the tool yourself. Becoming familiar with how it works will help you better understand the tool and make it easier to use with the person you are supporting.
- Encourage the person to create their own small steps. The goal is to support their autonomy and encourage choices that are meaningful to them, rather than offering ready-made solutions. It is always easier to repeat something that has worked before than to try something new.
- Encourage them to choose actions that are realistic and achievable. The goal is not to do a lot, but to identify small actions they feel capable of completing in their current situation.
My Small Steps: What you need to know
- People can easily browse the Small steps ideas section with or without an account.
- By creating an account, users can select multiple small steps, personalize them and view the list of small steps they want to complete on the home page.
- Small steps can be set up as recurring actions.
- Tracking small steps is simple: one list shows the small steps still to be completed, while another shows those that have been completed.
Examples of using My Small Steps in intervention settings
Explore practical examples of how My small steps can be used in a variety of intervention settings. The clinical vignettes below illustrate different ways to incorporate this tool into practice with diverse client populations and across different settings.