The power of incremental progress

The greatest lesson I learned in the past two years is that tiny, incremental actions over a long period, add up to create spectacular wins. Sincere effort never goes unrewarded. Results may be delayed, but never denied.

When we set goals, we tend to look at the big picture and set audacious goals. This is great, since we need to set our sights high. The only risk is that audacious goals tend to instill a sense of insecurity in us. We wonder if we can ever get there. Such doubts chip away at our determination and can eventually result in inaction.

At such times, it is important to remember that success requires consistent, incremental effort. As Tom Clancy put it — “An overnight success is ten years in the making”! Successful people did not wake up to success one fine day. They worked for it in small measures, consistently, without ever giving up.

Here is how we can do the same and get over any feelings of doubt.

Get started

The toughest part is to get started. Once you set long term goals, don’t let the time and difficulty in reaching these goals, get to you. Break down your goals into smaller chunks and track periodic milestones. Your goal might seem unattainable, the path might be wrought with challenges, but all you need to do is to take the first step and the next. The goal will soon be in sight.

Keep going

Once you embark on a long journey, it can seem intimidating. The challenges might put you off. When you don’t see immediate results, the seeming lack of progress can be demotivating. At such times, remind yourself that you are running a marathon, not a sprint. Keep going and celebrate small wins as you reach periodic milestones. Keep at it, because success comes to those who persevere.

Set your sights on the destination, but also look back periodically and see how far you have come. See how those seemingly unimportant actions eventually added up. And you’ll realize that every ounce of your effort, paved way to the destination.

Do not be afraid of setting ambitious goals. You will never know what you are capable of, until you move out of your comfort zone. You cannot unleash your potential until you test your self-imposed limits. So, go ahead and dare to dream big. Rest assured that every tiny, incremental step is taking you closer to your goal.

Let me leave you with a quote:

“Don’t sacrifice your future dreams at the altar of instant gratification” — Ashley Borden