It seems that even a cursory browsing of a subject on a search engine will unearth the easy “steps” for accomplishing something. A search for a local pet store where you can purchase a new water bowl for your cat will reveal the five steps to successfully introducing a cat to a new home. Look up how long your water heater should last and you will come across the 12 steps to do-it-yourself home improvement. An impromptu viewing of images of the Tuscan countryside could offer the opportunity to learn to speak Italian in nine easy steps.
Breaking complex, and even not-so-complex, processes into steps or stages aids in our ability to learn and helps ensure the successful accomplishment of a task. It’s evident in the specific examples above as well as broader processes, such as the scientific method. Approaching a task in steps helps us bring order and focus and allows us to let those things not vital to getting the job done fall away.