There’s a phrase I’ve heard many times on the John Delony podcast that has stuck with me for months now:
“What is the next right thing?”

It’s simple, but honestly—it’s powerful.
Every time I hear it, something inside me settles. It pulls me out of overwhelm and puts me back into action. It reminds me that I do have choices. I do have control. And I don’t have to fix everything—I just have to take one step.

So often, when we’re in the middle of a situation, we add unnecessary drama. We spiral. We let emotions take over. We overthink. We pile on stories that aren’t even true. And suddenly the problem isn’t the problem anymore—our reaction to it is.

But when I pause and ask myself, “What is the next right thing?” everything becomes clearer. The noise calms down. The answer is usually obvious. And the path forward is almost always simpler than I’m making it.

Most of us already know what we need to do.
We just don’t always want to do it.

Sometimes we look for more options because we’re hoping for an easier one. Sometimes we want validation from others—either encouragement to do the hard thing we know is right, or permission to avoid it.

But in almost every case, the next right thing is the thing we are resisting.

And here’s the kicker:
The easiest path in the long run is often the hard thing in the moment.

I use this phrase in nearly every part of my life:

When I don’t feel like going to the gym

I’ll literally say out loud in the car,
“Okay, what’s the next right thing?”
And the answer is:
Go to the gym.
It’s what I planned, it’s what supports my goals, and it’s what future-me will be proud of.

When I’m scrolling the couch at night

I’ll ask,
“What is the next right thing?”
And sometimes that answer is embarrassingly simple:
Just go to bed.
Nothing good is happening on this phone at 11pm.

When I lose my cool with my kids

The other morning, I was frustrated and yelled at my boys before school.
I sent them out the door feeling terrible…and once I calmed down, I asked myself the question.
What’s the next right thing?
Own it.
So I texted them each and apologized—not excusing their behavior, but acknowledging that I didn’t handle it well either.

When I don’t eat well and feel awful the next day

Instead of beating myself up or continuing the spiral, I ask:
What’s the next right thing?
Drink water.
Eat a high-protein breakfast.
Move on.

When I’m overwhelmed with work

Rather than drowning in the stress, overthinking my to-do list, or panicking about deadlines, I ask:
What is the next right thing?
And then…I do it.
One task at a time.
No drama. Just action.

This phrase has become one of the most grounding tools in my life. It keeps me moving. It keeps me honest. It keeps me aligned with who I want to be—not just in the big moments, but in the tiny, everyday ones.

And now I want to leave you with this question:

How will YOU use the phrase “What is the next right thing?” in your life?

Because once you start, you’ll be amazed at how simple and peaceful your decisions become—one right step at a time.