Suspend Huge Leaps, Consider this Instead

“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.”— Louis Sachar

   

Today, I have a hypothesis for you and it is this: in the pursuit of our strategic (long-term) vision, small steps are—ultimately—more effective than big leaps.

This is because small things make the big things possible, not the other way round.

To verify, slow down and give a thorough glance at the world around you, you will realize that nothing great exists that is not made up of small details. Everything in life, both the big and the not-so-big is essentially composed of tiny components. 

For example:

The gigantic elephants and the strongest trees in the forest grew out of microscopic cells. The longest bridges in the most advanced nations of the world were skillfully built out of small rocks, tiny sands and mass elements of sturdy steel. 

Even the solar system, the nebulous galaxies and the astronomical objects of the planets are made up of atomic particles of protons, neutrons and electrons.

This is the reality of our world, though it can sometimes be easy for active people to ignore or forget. The plain truth is: massive outcomes—either positive or negative— are generally the aggregation of tiny components.

However, we like to fantasize on using huge leaps to pursue audacious goals: we want a single move that will create an instant breakthrough. But, this is far from the basic reality of the world in which we live. 

In fact, lasting success comes from serial buildup of concrete victories, one small step at a time. This is how real winners build a great business, develop a powerful mind, raise an awesome child, write a fascinating book, and create an impressive art. In support of this, the English philosopher, Francis Bacon wrote: “We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps.”

Whatever, it is that we envision, one small step at a time is the way to go. It is the underlying pattern in the works of the Almighty God: the Wisest Maker of all things.  

Now, if we truly understand and apply this small-concept, we will literally astonish ourselves with the results we can produce.

Set a Big Goal but Adopt the Strategy of Kaizen

We want to have big goals, yes. But we don’t need to take unimaginable leaps to make them happen. Instead, we set out towards our vision in small but meaningful steps every day until we win-out. 

A huge vision is accomplished in small steps; it is realized through continuous progress. This is the meaning of Kaizen, as written by Dr. Robert Maurer, in his book, 'One Small Step Can Change Your Life.' 

You see, the small-step principle—not the huge leap fantasy— is the surest key to any success. It is the foundation of true greatness.  Small but steady can overcome, even the hardest of all hurdles.

Louis Sachar, the award-winning author of twenty-five books, attempted to make this clear when he said: 

“Life is like crossing a river. If you take a huge step, then the current will knock you off your feet and carry you away. 

The way to do it is small steps, you will take hold of life. You will get there in the end.”

Therefore, suspend huge-leaps mentality but take concrete small steps towards your big goals and accumulate small wins along the path of your purpose. 

Do this unremittingly, and you will walk over the tallest mountain with little sweat.