A FREE PRACTICAL GUIDE · BY MOLLY
Find the Next Small Step on Anything Big
The questions that turn something big and stuck into one clear next step.
Let’s try one
Big things don't get done in big steps. They get done one small, clear piece at a time, and the hard part is knowing which piece.
Short on time? Skip to the prompt. Claude asks you these questions one at a time.
Who it's for
Anyone with something big that feels stuck: a business idea, a kitchen remodel, a career change, an event, a book. It works at the beginning, in the middle or near the end.
Use it when
- You don't know where to start, so you don't.
- You started, and now you've lost track of what matters.
- There are so many open pieces that you can't think straight.
- You're nearly done and keep finding reasons not to finish.
You'll get: Your why in one line, your limits, and the one next step to do, small enough to start today, with a clear finish line.
The questions to ask yourself
Why are you doing this?
What do you get out of this that's important to you?
Why ask it: This is the test for every decision after it. When you're torn between two options, pick the one that serves your why.
- Picture it finished. What's the first thing you do?
- Who's there with you?
- If you could only get one thing out of it, what would it be?
KitchenTo have the family at our place for the holidays.
Molly's challengeTo help people who are good at their jobs make something of their own, without learning a pile of tech.
What would be different when it's working?
What will be true when this is working?
Why ask it: This turns the why into something you can see, so you know when you've got there.
- What would you stop being annoyed by?
- What would someone notice if they walked in?
- What could you do then that you can't do now?
KitchenTen people can stand around while I cook, and nobody's in my way.
Molly's challengeFrom day one, members have something they can show and share.
What are your limits?
What are your limits on money, time and energy, and what can't change?
Why ask it: Limits tell you what's realistic before you fall in love with a plan. They also make choices easier, because they rule things out.
- What would be a painful amount to spend?
- Is there a date it has to be done by?
- How many evenings a week can you really give it?
- What would you never change?
KitchenA set budget, done before Thanksgiving, and the plumbing stays where it is.
Molly's challenge20 minutes a day for members, mostly from a phone, using only Claude.
Where are you now?
Are you at the beginning, in the middle or near the end, and what's already true?
Why ask it: The right next step depends on whether you're deciding, making or finishing.
- What's already decided or done?
- What have you been putting off?
KitchenThe beginning. Nothing's decided yet.
Molly's challengeNear the end. The challenge is built, and doors open on November 24.
What's in the way?
What's standing between you and the outcome?
Why ask it: Getting everything out of your head and onto one list is most of the overwhelm gone.
- What keeps you up at night about this?
- What are you waiting on?
- What do you keep meaning to look into?
KitchenBudget, layout, finding a contractor, permits, cooking without a kitchen for a while.
What has to be decided first?
Which decision, once made, would make the others easier?
Why ask it: Some choices unlock all the others. Find that one, and check it against your why.
- What are you waiting on before you can choose anything else?
- If you had to settle one thing today, what would it be?
KitchenWhether an island fits without moving the plumbing. That decides the layout, the cost and who to hire.
Molly's challengeFree or paid. Choosing paid only settled the emails, the join page and the refund rules.
What are you guessing about?
What are you assuming that, if it's wrong, would change everything?
Why ask it: Every plan rests on a guess or two. Test the one that could sink it before you polish anything.
- What would be the worst surprise halfway through?
- What haven't you actually checked?
KitchenThat an island fits the budget. Get one rough quote before choosing anything else.
Molly's challengeThat people want it. It opened as a waitlist first, before anyone could pay.
What's the smallest piece you can do in one sitting?
What's one piece you could finish in a single sitting?
Why ask it: One sitting, one action, one result you can see. If you can't start it in five minutes, it's still too big, so break it down again.
- What could you do tonight in an hour?
- What's the first thing you'd physically do?
KitchenMeasure the room and tape where an island would go.
How will you know it's done?
Done when…?
Why ask it: A finish line stops the piece from quietly growing while you work on it.
- What will you have, or be able to show someone, at the end?
KitchenDone when I've walked around the tape for a day and know if it works.
Look again, then improve
Did that move me closer to my why? What's the next piece now?
Why ask it: After each piece, check it against your why. Keep what worked, change what didn't, and pick the next piece. Each round should leave something better than before, not just something started.
- What surprised you?
- What would you do differently next time?
KitchenThe island blocks the fridge. Try a smaller one, or a table that moves.
Molly's challengeAlong the way the free option was switched off and the challenge went Claude-only. Each change made the next piece clearer.
What are you choosing not to do yet?
What can wait?
Why ask it: Everything else goes on a later list, so it stops competing for your attention. Nothing is lost.
- What's fun but doesn't serve your why yet?
- What would you do if you had twice the time?
KitchenTile, light fixtures, the fancy faucet.
Molly's challengeA done-with-you offer, after the challenge.
Do it with Claude in 10 minutes
This prompt asks you these questions one at a time, starting with the easy versions, and gives you your next step at the end. When you've done the step, go back to the same chat and it helps you pick the next one.
Find my next small step
Talk it through with Claude and come out with one clear next step. Paste it into Claude and answer its few quick questions. The result comes back in the same chat.
Read the prompt + an example
I have something big that feels stuck. It could be a business, a home project, a career change, an event or anything else. Help me find the one next small step, the way a good product person would. Find out these things, in roughly this order. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place: - why I'm doing it and what I get out of it (purpose: the test for every later choice; try “picture it finished, what's the first thing you do?”) - what will be different when it's working (purpose: an outcome I could see; try “what would you stop being annoyed by?”) - my limits on money, time and energy, and what can't change (purpose: what's realistic; try “what would be a painful amount to spend?”) - where I am: beginning, middle or near the end, and what's already done - what's in the way (purpose: get it all out of my head) - which decision would unlock the others, checked against my why - the guess that could sink this if it's wrong (purpose: test it before polishing anything) How I'd like you to work: - I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction. - Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking. - Start with the easier, concrete version of each question. Only ask the direct version if I seem ready. - When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number. - If an answer is vague, ask for a real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out. - This usually takes six to eight questions. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed. - Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon. When you have enough, give me: - My why, in one line. - What will be different when it's working. - My limits. - The decision to make first, and why. - My riskiest guess, and the quickest way to check it. - My next small step: something I could do in one sitting and start in five minutes, with a "done when…" line. - A "later" list with everything else. - Finally, tell me to come back to this chat when I've done the step and say how it went, so you can help me check it against my why and pick the next piece. Don't give legal, medical or financial advice. If my next step needs a professional, say so and make talking to one the step.
A filled-in example
These are illustrative details. Use your own information.
I have something big that feels stuck. It could be a business, a home project, a career change, an event or anything else. Help me find the one next small step, the way a good product person would. Find out these things, in roughly this order. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place: - why I'm doing it and what I get out of it (purpose: the test for every later choice; try “picture it finished, what's the first thing you do?”) - what will be different when it's working (purpose: an outcome I could see; try “what would you stop being annoyed by?”) - my limits on money, time and energy, and what can't change (purpose: what's realistic; try “what would be a painful amount to spend?”) - where I am: beginning, middle or near the end, and what's already done - what's in the way (purpose: get it all out of my head) - which decision would unlock the others, checked against my why - the guess that could sink this if it's wrong (purpose: test it before polishing anything) How I'd like you to work: - I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction. - Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking. - Start with the easier, concrete version of each question. Only ask the direct version if I seem ready. - When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number. - If an answer is vague, ask for a real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out. - This usually takes six to eight questions. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed. - Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon. When you have enough, give me: - My why, in one line. - What will be different when it's working. - My limits. - The decision to make first, and why. - My riskiest guess, and the quickest way to check it. - My next small step: something I could do in one sitting and start in five minutes, with a "done when…" line. - A "later" list with everything else. - Finally, tell me to come back to this chat when I've done the step and say how it went, so you can help me check it against my why and pick the next piece. Don't give legal, medical or financial advice. If my next step needs a professional, say so and make talking to one the step. --- HOW IT GOES (a made-up example) Claude: Picture it finished. What's the first thing you do in it? (So I know what matters most.) You: Cook Thanksgiving dinner with everyone around me. Claude: What's the most you'd be OK spending? 1. Under $10k 2. $10–30k 3. More 4. Not sure yet You: 2 …a few more questions, then: decide whether an island fits without moving plumbing. Next step: tape it out and live with it for a day.Download the original prompt (.txt)
See it in action
A kitchen remodel. A made-up example. Molly's own launch runs through every step above.
Picture the kitchen finished. What's the first thing you do in it? (So I know what matters most.)
Cook Thanksgiving with the whole family around me.
How many people, and where do they end up now? (So I know what “working” looks like.)
About ten. Everyone crowds the doorway and I can't get to the fridge.
Is there a date it has to be done by, and a number that would feel painful to spend?
Before Thanksgiving. More than $30k would hurt.
Is anything off the table? 1. Moving plumbing 2. Knocking down walls 3. Both 4. Nothing
1. The sink stays.
Your why: the family together for the holidays. First decision: whether an island fits without moving the sink. Riskiest guess: that it fits your budget, so get one rough quote. Next step: measure and tape out an island tonight. Done when you've lived with the tape for a day. Later: tile, lights, faucet. Come back and tell me how the tape felt.
What to do next
Do the step. Then go back to the same Claude chat and say how it went. It will check it against your why and help you pick the next piece. That loop, one small piece at a time, is how big things get done.
Your answer stays in your Claude chat. To find it faster, screenshot it or copy it into your notes.
Stuck or overwhelmed?
I'm overwhelmed.
You've lost sight of the why or have too much open at once. Go back to “Why are you doing this?”, then “What has to be decided first?”
I'm stuck.
The piece is too big or “done” isn't clear. Go back to “What's the smallest piece you can do in one sitting?” and “How will you know it's done?”
WHEN YOU WANT HELP WITH THE NEXT STEP
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