The Art of Starting Small: How Tiny Wins Lead to Big Success
Simple Steps to Build Momentum and Achieve Your Biggest Goals
There's an old trope in the fitness world: in January, finding an open machine in the gym will be much harder. But don't worry; it will always get better by February. This is because, although more people sign up for gym memberships in January than in any other month, nearly 80% of those new members will give up on their New Year's Resolution by February 1st. It's so consistent that it's built into the business plan of every gym and health club in the world. Some companies' entire business plan revolves around signing people up for memberships that will never be used.
Why Starting Small Works
The cause isn't a secret either: people almost always take on a goal that is too big, and too quickly. What drives taking on a big goal can vary:
Optimism bias (our tendency to overestimate our chances of positive experiences and underestimate our chances of negative experiences)
The desire for a sense of control
Seeking immediate gratification from the planning process itself (dopamine rush)
Anxiety about the future (leading to a need to micromanage every detail through extensive planning)
Regardless of the driving force, these common psychological pitfalls affect us all, and we should consider small goals as a remedy for the cycle of BUGS (Big Unachievable Goal Syndrome).
The concept of "small wins" isn't a new one — it's incredibly popular. "1% Better Every Day" makes for a compelling bumper sticker. James Clear's Atomic Habits is a masterclass on it. These dovetail wonderfully with our understanding of human biology: achieving a small win — no matter how insignificant it may seem — triggers a positive feedback loop in the brain, releasing dopamine, which boosts motivation, confidence, and the desire to continue pursuing larger goals. Furthermore, psychological literature indicates that people are happiest not merely when they have a goal, but when they perceive themselves as making meaningful progress toward that goal.
How Big Goals Backfired & How I Fixed It
We all have a story that involves biting off too much too soon. One of my greatest lessons came from this. It was when I agreed to move across the country to Colorado and take a SharePoint Administrator and Software Engineer position in an oil and gas firm, despite not knowing anything about either topic (except that I hated programming). I was young and full of hubris, and I saw this as my shot to make a mark for myself professionally. I thought I could accomplish anything if I just believed strongly enough. It didn't work out that well.
I discussed topics as if I were an expert, even though I knew hardly anything about them. I over-committed and over-promised, assuming things would be easy to figure out. When I discovered otherwise, I approached the situation as if a problem had arisen unexpectedly and caught me off guard despite my otherwise stellar progress. When the company chose to hire a true software engineer for my "team," things started to fall apart quickly. Anthony was a smart guy; he knew I was bullshitting, but since he wanted to get paid, he worked hard to cooperate with me.
I didn't make it easy on him.
I ended up getting fired, of course, and rightly so. I never should've had that job, and never committed to the idea that I could spend these people's time and money and return something I could never produce. I shudder when I think of what I cost that company in the long run.
How To Start Small
The difference between you and me (hopefully) is that you have some business going after what you're trying to do because I sure didn't. So, if you're going to go about it, let's give you the best possible chance at success by outlining a few recommendations.
Use the "Two-Minute" Rule for Quick Tasks: Popularized by David Allen in his seminal book Getting Things Done, the two-minute rule states, "If an action will take less than two minutes, it should be done the moment it’s defined." Whether booking a doctor's appointment, texting a loved one, or putting away a coffee cup, the two-minute rule provides a framework for taking immediate action on tasks that shouldn't occupy more than two minutes of your time (or mental space).
Use the SMART Framework for Bigger Goals: SMART goals are a technique for setting objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They are helpful because they help you avoid unclear, untracked, unrealistic, irrelevant, and endless goal-setting. Framing your goal setting in a structure like this enables you to be actionable and efficient instead of grandiose and stalled in your progress.
Remember, Starting Small Doesn't Mean Thinking Small: You can have the biggest plan in the world, but if your only to-do item is "finish," then you'll have a tough time. Your ability to execute effectively on a goal has nothing to do with the size of the goal — whether it's starting a blog or building a $100 million company, your time and resources are finite, and acting differently won't change that. If you want to write a novel, begin with 100 words daily. If you want to lose 20 pounds, start with 10 minutes of walking.
Building Momentum
We want to keep you moving now that you're on your way. Remember that achieving small goals improves motivation and confidence by releasing dopamine, reinforcing your efforts. But that also means that if you never celebrate your small wins, you don't get the happy chemicals in your brain. The goal's size doesn't matter much so long as you are aware of achieving it. For this, having a system for tracking your progress toward your goal is imperative. It can be as simple as a hand-written system (Bullet Journal is an excellent DIY method, or Analog if you prefer something more structured) and as complicated as project management software (my favorite is Motion, which lets you plan and track projects of all size, then uses AI to help fill your calendar with the appropriate tasks to reach your goal). Making measurable progress on a goal — and seeing that progress visually — can help sustain your motivation through any number of bumpy times.
Overcoming Challenges
Speaking of which, let's talk challenges. It can be hard to do small things, especially when we have a grand, sweeping vision for our final goal. You might say, "This feels too slow," or "It doesn’t feel impactful." Despite our inability to see the proverbial forest through the trees, the evidence is clear. Take the concept of 1% better:
Remember, compound interest works for your life and your bank account. And even if you can't manage progress every day, don't let that break you; one of the most powerful statements I've ever heard was about sticking to a diet (but applies to much more than just that): "You're only ever just one meal away from being back on track." Meaning that no matter what your goal is and what took you off your plan, you're only ever just one to-do from being back at it.
Conclusion
Success isn’t about giant leaps — it’s about tiny, consistent steps that build momentum over time. Whether improving by just 1% each day or simply staying “one to-do away” from being back on track, the power lies in showing up, no matter how small the effort feels. By breaking down big goals into manageable pieces, celebrating your progress, and staying flexible when life throws curveballs, you create a system that works for you while you work on the goal. Remember, it’s not the size of the step that matters — it’s that you’re moving forward. So, take that first step today, however small, and trust that your future self will thank you.