How to Make Big Progress With Tiny Daily Steps
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “Tomorrow, I’ll start writing my book,” or “Next week, I’ll join the gym”? Maybe you dream of launching your own business, saving for a house, or taking a trip around the world. Yet, somehow, tomorrow never comes. Life keeps getting in the way—money is tight, time is short, and the perfect moment never seems to arrive.
This is something I see all the time. People wait for the stars to align before they start living their dreams. They tell themselves they need a certain amount of money, or that they’ll begin once things calm down at work, or when the kids are older. But days slip by, and those 24 hours, once gone, are lost forever.
Recently, a friend at my coworking space told me he’d been wanting to volunteer in Kenya for three years. He dreamed of working with elephants and going on safari, but he still hadn’t taken the leap. There was always something—work, family, or just the daily grind—getting in the way. It’s like having a stick thrown in your bicycle spokes, stopping you from moving forward.
Money is a common excuse. There’s this idea of “F-you money”—having enough to finally live your dream life and do what you want. But most people never feel like they have enough. As income rises, so do expenses. This is called lifestyle inflation. You earn more, but you spend more, so you never reach that magic number where you feel free.
Tim Ferriss popularized the idea of the “mini-retirement” in his book The 4-Hour Workweek: taking six months off every couple of years to travel or learn something new. I tried this myself, taking a six-month sabbatical from my job. My company kept me on the payroll for a bit, but I was free to travel, learn, and work on open-source projects. I picked up new programming skills and explored new places. It was an incredible experience that recharged me in ways I never expected.
Maybe your dream isn’t to travel, but to start a business, move to a new city, or learn a new skill. The truth is, there’s never a perfect time. Life will always throw up obstacles. If you keep waiting, you might find yourself even busier or facing new challenges down the road. The best time to start is now.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Even if you work long hours, you have to set limits and know your priorities. It’s important to make time for what truly makes you happy. For me, that’s hiking and discovering new trails. For you, it might be gardening, cooking, or something else entirely.
The key is to identify your number one priority. Once you know what matters most, you can let go of other things without guilt. If your top goal is volunteering in Kenya, then everything else comes after. Spend an hour each day planning your trip, even if you have other important things to do. When you finish that project, you’ll come back with new energy, ideas, and maybe even a new direction for your life.
After you achieve one goal, set a new priority. Maybe it’s starting a business, moving, or taking an online course. By always knowing your top priority, you avoid getting lost or stuck in procrastination. You know what comes first, and you can focus your energy there.
It’s also important to balance productivity with well-being. There’s no point in being super productive if you’re miserable. Make time for breaks, social connections, physical activity, and moments of quiet reflection. This keeps your days balanced and helps you feel fulfilled.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
— Lao Tzu
Key Takeaways
- Start now—waiting for the perfect moment is a trap.
- Identify your number one priority and focus on it.
- Balance productivity with activities that make you happy.
- Small, steady steps lead to big changes over time.
Reflection
- What is my number one priority right now?
- What small step can I take today toward my goal?
- Am I making time for what truly makes me happy?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Entrepreneurship #Goal-Setting #Habit-Building #Money #Motivation #Nomad #Personal Development #Small Steps #Tasks #Tech #Time-Management #Wealth