Jeff Bezos once said, “The biggest oak starts from an acorn, and if you want to do anything new, you’ve got to be willing to let that acorn grow into a little sapling and then finally into a small tree, and maybe one day it will be a big business on its own. We know that big things start small.”
Who better to take advice from than someone who has built an empire of successful ventures? His story shows us that even the biggest dreams and accomplishments begin with small, deliberate actions.
However, when you’re standing in front of a big goal, it can feel overwhelming. Whether you are trying to ace an exam, implementing a major career shift or saving up to start your business empire, the enormity of the task can make you freeze in your tracks.
So, how do you tackle these huge challenges without losing your mind? Well, you do it just like you would if you were going to climb a big mountain – one step at a time.
The power of starting small
Think of the mountain as your big, extremely daunting goal – be it running a marathon or landing a job in a brand-new field. The key is to break this goal into smaller, manageable steps. These bite-sized steps, or micro-habits, are the foundation for achieving big dreams.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you want to start working out consistently but you haven’t ever set foot in the gym. Instead of diving headfirst into a two-hour workout plan, start by simply laying out your workout clothes the night before. In the morning, when you see those clothes already laid out for you, you are much more likely to feel motivated to put them on and go to the gym, even if it’s just to walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes. And just like that, you have turned a daunting task into a sustainable habit by doing just one small action/
Why small actions matter
Multiple self-help books and motivational talks have highlighted the transformational power of small actions but knowing something and putting it into practice are two very different things. We are trained to think big instead of acting small, and we are rewarded for this. We talk ourselves out of doing them at first because we can feel ridiculous doing something so small and it might not seem useful to spend any time on it.
The power of starting small lies in three facts:
We are conditioned to “go big or go home” but when we try to take massive leaps, we’re more likely to burn out or give up. Small, consistent actions may seem insignificant at first but as we continue doing it, they compound together over time to help you achieve something extraordinary.
Starting small can be challenging
Starting small sounds extremely simple, but if that were the case, everyone would’ve already achieved their goals since this concept is nothing new. So, why is doing a small, seemingly insignificant action so difficult?
You might wonder, “How is spending five minutes meditating going to help me achieve inner peace?” or “Can writing 50 words a day lead to finish a novel?”
Human beings are wired for instant gratification and hence, we need any action to have an immediate effect, but meaningful change takes time. It’s easy to abandon the process when progress feels slow.
Whether it’s staying up late or procrastinating on important tasks, our routines can be stubborn. Replacing them with positive habits takes effort and persistence.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. The more patient and consistent you are, the greater the results will be.
The secret sauce
Here’s a truth that takes people a lot of time and effort before they figure it out: nothing ever goes exactly as we planned it. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs just when you think you’ve got everything figured out. That’s why adaptability is crucial.
By starting small, you give yourself some leeway to adapt when things, inevitably, don’t go as expected; it helps you pivot without feeling as though you have failed yourself and messed up the entire plan. Missed a workout? Start again tomorrow with a 5-minute walk. Didn’t finish your daily to-do list? Focus on one task and congratulate yourself for that.
When you focus on progress over perfection, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and keep moving forward.
A source of motivation
Let’s take the example of Jeff Bezos again, as an inspiration. When he started his company, the entire team fit inside a tiny conference room. There was no fancy office or massive warehouse – just a small group of people working towards a big vision. Over time, those small steps taken by each employee have led to one of the world’s most successful businesses today, Amazon.
The lesson? You don’t need to have it all figured out from the start. Begin with what you have, and where you are, and let the process unfold.
Here are some strategies to make your small actions stick:
1 . Start extremely tiny: Choose one action that feels so simple you can’t say no. Want to read more? Commit to one page a day.
2 . Stack your habits: Pair your new habit with something you already do. For example, meditate for five minutes after brushing your teeth.
3 . Track your progress: Use a journal, app, or even a sticky note to celebrate each small win. Seeing your progress will keep you motivated.
4 . Be kind to yourself: Missed a day? That’s okay. Focus on getting back on track rather than beating yourself up.
The biggest achievement starts with the smallest beginnings
Whether it’s an oak tree growing from an acorn or a global business starting in a garage, everything which is now big once started extremely small.
So, the next time you’re faced with a goal that feels too big or overwhelming, remember this: “Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.” Start with one drop, one step, one action – and watch as those small efforts create something truly extraordinary.
