Day 9: The LEGO Ladder and the Neuroscience of Moving Forward

Today’s LEGO Advent Coaching prompt is the Ladder — a symbol of progress, momentum, and the courage it takes to move toward something new.

And here’s something we all need to hear:

Progress isn’t linear.

It never has been.
It never will be.

We often expect ourselves to change quickly, cleanly, and successfully — as if growth should be a straight line upward.
But real progress is slow, uneven, full of trial and error, and deeply human.

Some days you climb two steps.
Some days you slip back one.
Some days you’re simply standing on the rung, catching your breath — and that counts too.

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The Myth of Fast Change

In coaching, I see this all the time:
People want transformation to happen fast.
And when it doesn’t, they assume something is wrong with them.

But nothing is wrong with you.

Humans are wired for gradual, layered growth — not overnight breakthroughs.

Mistakes aren’t signs of failure.
They’re signs of learning.
They’re evidence that you’re stretching into new territory.

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The Science of “Failing Forward”

Daniel Coyle, in The Talent Code, describes something he calls deep practice — training “at the edge of your abilities.”

When you work at this edge:

• You make mistakes.

• You adjust.

• You try again.

• Your brain rewires.

Coyle found that this kind of training produces results up to 10× faster than regular practice.

Mistakes aren’t problems — they’re proof the task is challenging enough to grow you.

This is neuroplasticity in action.
Each correction strengthens the pathway you’re trying to build.
Each mistake is simply information guiding your next step.

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Progress Requires Courage

Climbing a ladder — literal or symbolic — asks for bravery.

It takes courage to take even the smallest step when you don’t feel fully ready.
Courage to try something new.
Courage to risk getting it wrong.
Courage to begin again after slipping.

Your ladder today might not be tall or fancy.
Mine wasn’t either.

But it reminded me of this truth:

Progress isn’t built on giant leaps — it’s built on micro-moments of courage.

Every time you take a tiny step forward,
every time you choose effort over avoidance,
every time you let a mistake teach you instead of stopping you,

—you’re strengthening the belief:

“I can do hard things.”
“I can learn as I go.”
“I don’t need to climb ten steps — just one.”

Courage compounds.
Rung by rung.

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Today’s Reflection: What’s Your Tiniest Courageous Step?

Not the impressive step.
Not the “once I’m ready” step.
Not the big leap.

But the smallest possible action that moves you forward — even 1%.

What’s your tiniest courageous step today?

What is one small action you can take toward the person you’re becoming?

That’s the step that matters.

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Your LEGO Build

Let your ladder represent:

• courage

• progress

• resilience

• learning through mistakes

• tiny consistent actions

• permission to go slowly

There is no right or wrong way to build your ladder — only what feels true for your journey.

If you feel called to share your build or your micro-step for today, I’d love to see it — publicly or privately.

See you for Day 10.
—Sheri

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