Why taking small steps creates success
Posted on February 08, 2023 by Allen Abbott, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
Forward progress, no matter how small, builds momentum.
Progress Over Perfection
Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force. Newton wasn’t thinking about your next big promotion or that side gig you’ve been planning to set up for years, but I don’t think he’d mind me borrowing his concept for my little blog.
“When you have good ideas but don’t act on them, it can lead to a sense of powerlessness or incompetence.”
It’s a widely held belief that significant accomplishments are what motivate us to keep moving forward and aiming higher. One of the early lessons of the coaching discipline is that this is only a partial truth. Sure crushing your end goal charges your goal-setting battery but what about that period between goal-setting and the finish line? If you are like most people, you know this is where the fog of prioritization decisions and the looming climb in front of you stalls action and invites procrastination. The simple fact is that baby steps – and their associated “little triumphs” – are a far more effective way to keep moving forward.
Consider this: reaching a significant objective is undoubtedly a wonderful feeling. However, after the objective has been reached, it can be simple to lose momentum and drive because the rush of success is frequently fleeting. On the other hand, when we ensure our path is blanketed with modest victories, it serves as constant fuel that inspires us to move to the next milestone.
“…the fog of prioritization decisions and the looming climb in front of you stalls action and invites procrastination.”
Small achievements give us a sense of progress, which is one reason why they are so good at keeping us motivated. When pursuing a significant objective, it might seem as though we aren’t moving forward. But when we score minor triumphs along the way, it makes it easier for us to see that we are indeed moving forward, which then provides us the motivation we need to take on the next task.
Additionally, minor victories contribute to boosting our self-esteem and confidence. No matter how little the accomplishment, it helps us believe in ourselves and our capacity to accomplish greater things. This self-assurance can serve as a potent motivator, inspiring us to take on even more difficult objectives.
But when we score minor triumphs along the way, it enables us to recognize that we are indeed moving forward, which then provides us with the motivation to take on the next task.
“…minor victories contribute to boosting our self-esteem and confidence.”
Last but not least, little victories can be especially inspiring when they are accompanied by encouraging words from others. Completing small, easily articulated steps that indicate progress towards an end goal invites recognition of our efforts, whether it comes in the form of a comment from a coworker or a mentor’s seal of approval.
Small victories are a crucial motivator in our quest for advancement. So bear in mind that it’s the little triumphs along the way that will keep you motivated and on track the next time you’re feeling discouraged or uncertain of your abilities to achieve your goals.
Allen L. Abbott, MBA
Ascent Partners LTD
