Friends, I found myself reflecting on the idea of starting small this week.
If you’ve been reading here for a while, you know this isn’t a new theme. Small steps, incremental wins, and steady progress often take center stage because they’re so fundamental to growth. This idea popped up again during a conversation with someone who reminded me how easy it is to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of our aspirations.
If you’ve ever scrolled through social media, you know the feeling: perfectly curated success stories, big wins, and giant leaps forward that make it all seem effortless. It’s inspiring, sure.
But it can also feel paralyzing.
You see someone’s finish line without seeing their starting point and wonder, Where do I even begin?
Here’s the truth: nobody starts big.
Those seemingly effortless achievements? They’re built on the back of countless small, consistent actions. The kind you don’t post about because they’re too mundane—early mornings, late nights, and tiny victories that go unnoticed by the world but mean everything to the person taking them.
One of the benefits of writing this newsletter is revisiting themes like this and looking at them through fresh eyes.
This week, I’ve been reminded of a few key truths about starting small.
A good friend once told me, “You don’t run a marathon in one day. You start with a single step—and then another.” This is true for anything worth pursuing. It’s not about the grand gesture but about breaking things down into manageable pieces.
Write a paragraph today, brainstorm an idea, take a single action toward that long-term goal.
The beauty of these small wins is that they build momentum. That first step might feel like nothing, but over time, it snowballs. Confidence grows, progress compounds, and before you know it, you’re further than you ever thought possible.
Life has a way of making big goals feel unattainable. There’s always something in the way—time, resources, fear of failure. But instead of focusing on what you can’t control, focus on what you can do today.
Can you spend five minutes learning something new? Reach out to a mentor or friend? Sketch out an idea, no matter how rough it looks?
Progress doesn’t come from perfect conditions — it comes from doing what you can with what you have.
One of the biggest myths about achieving goals is that you need to wait for the perfect moment. News flash: there is no perfect moment.
The stars won’t align.
The timing will never be ideal.
The fear will never fully go away.
The only way forward is to begin, no matter how small or messy that beginning might be.
Oh, and here’s another part we also often overlook: the celebration. In a world obsessed with outcomes, it’s easy to skip over the progress you’re making. But every step forward deserves recognition. Did you take a risk? Try something new? Overcome a little self-doubt today?
That’s worthy of a 🙌 , isn’t it?
So think about it…there’s probably something on your mind—a goal, a project, a change you’ve been meaning to make. Whatever it is, remember that you don’t have to tackle it all at once.
Start small. Take one step. Build momentum. Celebrate the progress.
And here’s the best part: every time you do, you’re creating a story worth telling—one that isn’t about perfection or ease but about resilience, effort, and the power of showing up.
Let me know if this resonates or if you’ve had success with starting small. I’d love to hear about the steps you’re taking, Friends. Until next time, keep moving forward.
XOXO
Dave
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