Start With Small Steps

Whenever I start a new project or set a big goal for myself, I always have to remind myself to start with small steps. It’s always tempting to hit the ground running and make big moves immediately, but I find that inevitably leads to failure. There’s either friction with getting started, or the big steps that I take at first are not sustainable.

Instead, I find it’s better to start with small steps. Lower the barrier for entry, and break things down into smaller pieces that are easy to complete. Iterate while making small improvements. Focus on consistency over taking large steps. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

This is how you build momentum which will carry you beyond the early stages. It’s how you build habits that can sustain your action. The momentum that you build will compound over time, allowing you to take bigger steps.

This summer, I have three big mountain climbs planned in the Rocky Mountains. The first climb is in five months. It’s a big challenge that intimidates me. But I’ve started training last week—not with anything intense, but by taking small steps.

Food for Thought

During the pandemic lockdowns between 2020 and 2021, I came across Kraig Adams, a YouTuber who shares videos of himself doing solo hikes around the world. His videos follow a simple but effective formula: no background music or voiceover, just peaceful hiking with beautiful scenery. In particular, his trek along the Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal, inspired me and gave me a sense of adventure, especially at a time when I was stuck indoors.