Most of us like to see progress right away. So, when we take baby steps and can’t detect advancement, we abandon our efforts, thinking that we’ve failed. The truth is, measuring progress is often like watching grass grow. While it’s difficult to detect movement on a daily basis, it’s simple to see growth over time.
9 Ways to Make Never-Ending Progress
- Multiply your success — or failure. The law of compounding can turn a small sum into a fortune. Albert Einstein said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it…he who doesn’t…pays it.” The same is true of your small steps.
- Get better every day. School shouldn’t be the end of the learning process. Personal excellence requires a strong desire and disciplined learning on a continual basis. One day, someone may ask how you became such an expert in an area. You’ll probably say that you acquired the knowledge and experience little by little over the years. Remember, progress makes perfect.
- Nag, Nag, Nag. You never know when you’re teaching your kids a life lesson. It could be a comment during a ball game or the way that you personally reacted to a situation. The best way to instill proper values is to promote them, on a continual basis, and reinforce your words with your actions.
- Create good habits. One way to correct a bad habit is to take small steps rather than make a bold move. Small steps are realistic and require less willpower. Short-term wins will motivate you to continue on your journey.
- Get a lifestyle. Some people want good health as long as it doesn’t require them to abandon bad habits. Instead, they resort to quick-fix remedies that require minimal personal sacrifice. The truth is, you can’t live an unhealthy lifestyle and expect a healthy outcome.
- Address larger-than-life problems. Do you get overwhelmed by large challenges? If that sounds familiar, break big problems into small, manageable pieces. Each piece may seem small, but the combination of these pieces will yield big results.
- Make downtime uptime. How often do you find yourself waiting fifteen minutes for others? Most people believe nothing meaningful can be accomplished during that time. The fact is, you can be very productive by completing small, related tasks that, when combined, complete a large undertaking.
- Waste not, want not. Some people think that cutting small items in a budget isn’t worthy of their effort. The truth is, many small cuts can make a huge difference.
- Win back trust. Some people think trust can be repaired overnight. The fact is, trying to swing for the fence may only compound the problem. The best way to repair an indiscretion is to be deliberate, consistent, and most of all, worthy.
Are You Making Progress?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
Change Your Priorities: Change Your Life
Instant Gratification: Are You Selling Your Future Short?
The Easy Way May Be the Hard Way
6 Ways to Know You Need a Course Correction
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thanks for this write up, God bless you, i have given up on most projects i embarked on just because i was not making progress, where as i was expecting a quick returns.
Hi Mercy
We’ve become so addicted to instant gratification that we’re blind to the impact it has on our lives. The fact is, every small thing that we do today is an investment in our future––small wins provide momentum while long-term goals enable you to win big.
The bottom line is wile hitting singles isn’t as glamorous as a home run, there’s great truth in Aesop’s saying that slow and steady wins the race.
Thanks for taking the time to write,
Best,
Frank
Awsome article….
Thanks so much, Suresh. I’m glad you like it 🙂
Best,
Frank
Frank,
There is something to take from about breaking something down into smaller steps. I recently started a business and have been struggling with it while in school. Sometimes I believe that it is not going anywhere. It has not made a lot of money yet and the revenue that has come in has gone to purchases for the benefit of the business. It still has not reached its potential but I am realizing that small steps are getting the business recognized. After working with one company for several months it appears that it is getting spread around to similar companies. These companies have contacted me to perform services for them also. One of these companies has set before my company a large task. Initially it seems daunting and is causing stress but after thinking about breaking it down I see that it will not be as daunting as I thought.
After going to school for the past few years I am finding that the work that has been accomplished up to this point has been valuable. I recently created an operations plan for a mobile service and regret that I have not created an operations plan for the non-mobile service that my business provides. I have been pointing this type of lack of preparation out to my daughter. She has been excited that I am starting my business but is not preparing herself for the career she wants to do. She would like to act and sing but is not willing to put forth the extra effort that she needs to in order to be successful. To take the small steps that are so critical in this type of career.
Hi Joel
Congratulations on starting your business. That’s awesome. One of the things that I learned is that building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s important to secure small wins as you continue to march toward your long-term goals. Furthermore, businesses that do right by their employees, customers, and the community are rewarded by earning an outstanding reputation.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank