Let’s talk about that looming feeling, that mountain of a goal that casts a long shadow over your entire day.
You know the one – for me it’s writing the next best article for this blog, for others it can be running a marathon (watch out for those shin splints), or the more boring (but also most common one) making progress on your work and projects.
These aspirations light a fire in our bellies, but staring at their immensity can leave us paralyzed, that fire sputtering into self-doubt and procrastination.
But here’s the truth I just learned (and let me tell you, it was a game-changer): the key to unlocking those dreams isn’t a single, superhuman leap, but a string of tiny victories.
Think about it.
Remember that time you finally nailed that tricky French braid on your daughter? The “Aha!” moment when you figured out that pesky Excel formula at work? Or when you managed to go on about your day without getting angry at one of your co-workers?
Those little triumphs, my friend, are small wins, and they’re the unsung heroes of achievement. They’re the daily “YAYs” that propel us forward.
Why are small wins so darn powerful? Let me break it down for you, from personal experience:
They light your motivation on fire
Completing a small task triggers a dopamine rush, the brain’s happy dance chemical. It’s like giving yourself a high five after conquering a mini-boss on your way to the final showdown (erhm… sorry the gamer in me got out for a bit here).
Suddenly, that mountain doesn’t seem so daunting anymore. You’ve tasted victory, and you want more!
I still remember that time I finally reached 100 clicks to my blog (per month) from Google. It wasn’t the ground-breaking by any means, but that tiny win fueled me to keep on writing and publish articles and guides that can be helpful for people who are trying to live a good existence.
Small wins build confidence
Each small victory builds the foundation of your confidence. Overcoming these mini-challenges makes you realize you can achieve more than you thought.
Think about learning to ride a bike as a kid.
At first, it feels scary – those wobbly wheels, the fear of falling. But with each successful pedal stroke, each time you manage to stay upright for a few seconds longer, you feel a little braver. Finally, the day comes when you take off those training wheels, and the initial nervousness melts away because you’ve built up the confidence to ride on your own.
For example, when I first started to lose weight, watching the scale at my fullest size, made me scared of ever achieving any sort of progress.
But after a bit of dieting and exercising, seeing even a small (yet important for me) drop in weight gave me a surge of motivation and discipline that helped me finally achieve my ideal body weight.
They create unstoppable momentum
Progress, no matter how small, feels incredible. Stringing together these mini-victories creates a snowball effect, propelling you forward with unstoppable momentum.
Imagine yourself rolling a snowball downhill. It starts small, but with each turn, it gathers size and power. That’s the magic of small wins – they build momentum that carries you towards your ultimate goal.
Another real-life example of mine, that I can speak from experience is the one of Starting a business.
Launching a new venture can feel overwhelming. But celebrating small milestones, like securing your first customer or achieving a sales target, keeps you motivated and focused on the bigger picture.
So how do you harness the power of small wins and turn those dreams into reality? Let’s do this!
- Chop those Everest-sized goals into bite-sized victories. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) that break down your mountain into manageable climbs. Instead of a vague “get healthy” goal, aim for “30 minutes of exercise, three times a week.”
- Focus on daily habits, not drastic changes. Building positive habits, even seemingly insignificant ones, contributes to your goals. Reading 10 pages a day gets you closer to finishing that book, and a daily walk is a step towards a healthier you. Small, consistent actions are the key, not a complete life overhaul.
- Track your progress and celebrate like you won the lottery! Seeing your progress is a powerful motivator. Use a habit tracker, a progress log, or even a mental checklist to celebrate your wins. Did you conquer that workout? Did you finally write a decent paragraph? Do a victory dance! Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small. Trust me, that celebratory dance will put a smile on your face and keep you motivated.
Remember, every marathon starts with a single step. Don’t underestimate the power of small wins.
By celebrating your daily progress, you’ll be well on your way to achieving those dreams that set your soul on fire.
Because let’s face it, the view from the top is a whole lot sweeter when you know you conquered that mountain one tiny victory at a time.
Hint: When in doubt, always try and start and just do 2 minutes of that activity or work that you always postpone, and you’ll see that getting started is actually the hardest part, once you get going even for 2 minutes you’ll continue working or learning or doing the thing that you wanna do.
