Small Steps, Big Changes

In order to achieve any goal or dream, we must take small steps each day, because those are the ones that will lead us closer to who we want to be. In a previous post, I wrote about the importance of taking the first step. The first step is decisive, and every step we take afterward shapes the person we are becoming. We can make our dreams and desires a reality, one step at a time.

The key to growing and moving forward lies in the small steps we make each day. The number of steps we will have to take depends on the magnitude of our goal. The problem is that sometimes our dreams are so big that it is easy to feel overwhelmed — and it is in that moment when many people give up.

If most people do not reach the lives they want, it is not because life is unfair and only benefits a few. It is often because they stop taking care of their own process. The difference between those who keep growing and those who give up is not luck, but commitment. It is true that for some people things are easier than for others, but that cannot be used as an excuse to stop trying. Instead, it can be used as motivation to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” – Doug Firebaugh

Therefore, the most important thing we can do after deciding to take the first step is to divide our goals into small, realistic steps. Let’s imagine, for example, that your goal is to find a new job. In order to move in that direction, you will need to take several steps: writing your resume, sending applications, preparing for interviews, learning new skills. Some steps will feel easier than others, and sometimes you will need to repeat them. But each step helps you grow in confidence and experience.

Every goal works in a similar way. Some will be easier, others more challenging, but all of them invite us to develop patience, discipline, and self-trust. Dividing big dreams into small goals makes them feel possible. And every small achievement strengthens our belief that we are capable of learning and adapting.

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.” – Elbert Hubbar

When we reach a small goal, we feel encouraged. Our brain responds to progress with positive emotions, helping us associate effort with meaning and self-respect. Over time, this builds confidence — not just in our abilities, but in our relationship with ourselves. We begin to trust that we can show up for our own lives.

For example, if you want to change your habits or improve your health, you can begin with small, gentle goals instead of overwhelming ones. Step by step, you create sustainable change, not temporary results.

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese Proverb

Those small steps shape who we become.

So ask yourself:

What kind of person do I want to be?

What is one small step I can take today?

How can I care for my growth, rather than rush it?

What would consistency look like for me?

Take a piece of paper and write down what matters to you. Then write the small steps that can bring you closer to it. Focus on the first one. Then the next. And allow yourself to grow, one step at a time.