Small Lanes Lead to Big Destinations

“Remember to dream big, think long-term, underachieve on a daily basis, and take baby steps. That is the key to long-term success.”—Robert Kiyosaki 

Great things rarely start big.

In most, if not all cases, big things start small. The fattest person or the strongest body builder was once a tiny infant. The biggest elephant in the forest was once a small cub. And the largest whale in the ocean was once a small calf. 

Even outside the natural world of biology, the same principle applies. The biggest and the most popular companies in the world—like Apple, Microsoft, Toyota — were all started small by one, unknown individual.

Concisely, in the physical world of creation, massive entities start small and grow steadily.

However, in today’s world of overnight celebrities, many people want to go big from the very beginning, and as a result get nowhere because of this misguided notion. They fail to understand the old age truism that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—a single, small step.

We easily forget that many of the great things that we enjoy today started as tiny things. Afterwards, those tiny things went through a long process of growth and evolution to get to their current size and status. 

When we understand this truth, we gain the power to make anything possible, which is what the most effective people know.

The Secret of the Most Effective People

In her book, ‘Small Move, Big Change,’ Caroline Arnold demonstrates the power of baby steps towards the realization of big goals, whether it is building a business, running for office or starting a foundation for charity. 

In the book, she explains that we can’t become what we wish unless we start doing something to make it happen. That is, if we want to be an entrepreneur, we need to actually start doing something in that direction, no matter how small.

The main idea in the book is the secret of giants, the priceless few who have overcome their resistance to action. She calls it: ‘micro-resolutions.’ 

Micro-resolutions are mini goals. Goals that are small enough to make procrastination become less of an issue for anyone.  

For example:

If you are planning to start an online business, instead dreaming about how you are going to dominate the cyberspace, think of one small action you can take right now, like reading an article written by an expert on the subject in focus. 

And after learning what you need to know to get started, think of one more action you can take right now towards that vision, like calling a programmer to design a website for you. And so on and so forth. 

Small but meaningful move, one step at a time, this is the secret of growth in nature, in business and in life. It is the secret of the most effective people in the world.

Chris Gardner, the author of 'Start Where You Are,' challenges you now to join their rank in your own life by embracing the principle of steady progress through consistent tiny actions. He writes: 

“Walk that walk and go forward all the time. Don't just talk that talk, walk it and go forward. Also, the walk didn't have to be long strides; baby steps counted too. Go forward.”

Certainly, big vision is necessary for great success. However taking small steps constantly, in sequential order is how effective people make phenomenal success happen. Though, these tiny steps may not seem to make a big difference at the moment yet, they eventually accumulate to into a giant outcome.

Whatever it is you imagine, never forget that small beginning and unremitting small steps are the royal road to lasting success.