The Surprise Reward of Small Steps

Success almost always comes after taking many, many small steps in the right direction.

But occasionally, those small steps morph into an unexpected leap and bound forward. At times, the leap and the bound are only recognized in retrospect, like this:

You eat more fruits and veggies, cut out the hostess products, and even try kale. Gradually working your way up from a one mile walk to a three mile saunter, you slowly make progress. You notice the scales straining less. And you have a fair degree of satisfaction, but one day, a friend exclaims, “Wow! You look great!”

And you have taken a leap and a bound.

Over the course of years, you read and reflect and listen and converse. You’re trying to sort out the spiritual and emotional conundrums that have plagued you for decades. Then one day, you hear that voice inside your head say the right thing and you realize that your view of God and of yourself and others has changed…for the better.

And you have taken a leap and a bound.

You work and work and work. For years you have even felt stuck at times. But you keep chipping away at the dream. Then one day, it happens. You land the big contract; you get the promotion; your “there” finally becomes “here.”

And you have taken a leap and a bound.

So, never underestimate your ability to change yourself by taking many, many small steps over a long period of time, consistently. When you do, you might just experience a leap and a bound!

Worth Repeating

Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.

-Amos Bronson Alcott