When faced with challenges in achieving a set goal, it is common to give up and return to familiar territory. As a consequence of juggling multiple projects, running a business, and writing for various publications, all while trying to catch up on studying and reading, I have fallen behind in maintaining a consistent writing routine for this blog and making progress on my book, which is scheduled to be published no later than the second quarter of this year. I have been making excuses and convincing myself that I will soon regain my momentum and resume my endeavors.
I got a huge kick in the butt today as I read “Why Ask Why” by John Mason. I really had a laugh at my expense and resolved to do something about all my stalled goals. I had to relearn the power of small steps. Here are some that really got me going:
“We are all fugitives, and the things we didn’t do yesterday are the bloodhounds” – Prism. In Nigerian English, it means what is pursuing us is stuff we left undone yesterday.
If you want to make an easy job seem difficult, just keep putting off doing it.
A duty dodged is like a debt unpaid; it is only deferred and we must come back and settle the account at last.
Don’t allow idleness to deceive you; for while you give him today, he steals your tomorrow from you – H Crowquill
One day, today is worth two tomorrows – Ben Franklin
If you feel stuck, take small steps to get running again.
Your future comes one hour at a time. You are in effect throwing your future away by wasting hours today (ouch!)
Nobody makes the greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little – Edmund Burke
Inches make champions – Vince Lombardi
If you wait too long, the future is gone before you get there.
Success comes to the man who does today what others were thinking of doing tomorrow.
The lazier a man is, the more he is going to do tomorrow.
The hardest work to do is that which should have been done yesterday.
Paying attention to the little things is crucial. Neglecting the power of small steps can lead to project delays and hinder saving and investing. While it may seem reasonable to prioritize immediate gains, it appears foolish when considering the long-term perspective. Small steps accumulate and make a substantial difference over time. Having experienced the consequences of procrastination, I am now committed to taking small steps towards accomplishing all my goals this year. The future doesn’t arrive all at once; it unfolds gradually in small increments of time. These seemingly small steps shape our lifetime.