We often hear about the power of thinking big, but rarely about the power of thinking small.
Big dreams can be exciting, even necessary. But when it comes to taking action, thinking small can be far more effective. It brings your attention to what’s actually within your control right now.
Instead of obsessing over the entire journey, focus on the smallest possible action you can take today. One clear, doable step. Something so simple you can’t talk yourself out of it.
Because small steps create momentum, and momentum is what turns vision into reality.
The Monk Who Changed Science
Imagine a quiet monastery garden, where a humble monk named Gregor Mendel patiently tends to rows of pea plants.
No laboratory. No fame. Just a patch of earth and a notebook.
Driven by curiosity, he begins a simple experiment: What happens when you cross plants with different traits, tall vs. short, purple vs. white?
He doesn’t rush. Each season, he plants only a few varieties.
He counts every pod. Every seed. Tracks every trait.
Over eight years, he studies more than 28,000 pea plants.
Most would have rushed or given up. Mendel doesn’t. He sticks to a simple method:
- Choose one trait.
- Cross two variations.
- Record the results in detail.
- Repeat. Adjust. Observe.
- Write it all down.
Through this quiet, disciplined process, he begins to see something extraordinary: traits are inherited in consistent, predictable ratios.
He quietly publishes his findings. No one notices.
But years later, scientists rediscover his notes, and realise that this quiet monk had uncovered the basic laws of heredity. The foundation of modern genetics.
All from planting peas. One cross at a time.
Mendel’s story reminds us:
You don’t need to start big.
Start small. Stay curious.
Take the next right step, again and again.
Greatness often grows in silence.
Small Daily Actions Are the Path to Your Purpose
What if all it took to find your purpose was a small action, repeated daily? Would you believe that something so simple could lead to something so meaningful?
Taking consistent action, even tiny steps, can be healing. It grounds us. It gives us momentum. It helps us trust ourselves again.
Years ago, I attended a seminar on building habits for business and life. I didn’t expect much, but I walked away with one idea that stuck with me:
You can build yourself up to do almost anything if you start small enough.
That insight changed the way I approached my goals. Instead of obsessing over outcomes or waiting for the perfect plan, I began focusing on what I could do today, something small, something manageable.
It wasn’t about the results at first. It was about showing up. And slowly, the small steps started adding up. Confidence grew. Energy returned. Clarity came.
You’re probably not here to master a habit for its own sake. You’re here because you want to grow, create, contribute, to move toward a life of deeper meaning. And that starts not with a grand plan, but with a simple step.
So ask yourself:
What’s one small thing I can do today that moves me forward — gently, consistently, and with intention?
Creating Simple, Achievable Action Steps
One of the most practical skills you can develop is the ability to break down your goals into smaller, doable steps. It’s something you can train yourself to get better at, and it makes all the difference.
Think of it like driving at night: you can only see as far as your headlights. You don’t need to see the whole journey, just enough to keep moving forward. Clarity comes as you go.
If you find yourself stuck in overthinking, spending more time planning than doing, try separating your decision-making from your actions.
Instead of deciding and doing at the same time, set aside focused time to take just the next small step, without distractions.
Let’s look at how this works in practice.
Example Goal: Write a Book
Writing a book can feel overwhelming when you think of it all at once. But when you break it down into clear steps, it becomes much more manageable.
Here’s a simple way to approach it:
- Choose Your Book Topic
- Outline the Structure
- Write the First Draft
- Edit and Refine
- Format the Manuscript
- Publish and Share
If any of these steps feel too big, break them down further. For example:
Step 1: Choose Your Book Topic
- Brainstorm ideas – What subjects excite you? What do you have experience in?
- Reflect on your purpose – Why do you want to write this book?
- Do a bit of research – Look at similar books and find gaps or opportunities.
- Test your ideas – Talk to people, explore online forums, or write short posts to gauge interest.
- Pick your topic – Choose the one that resonates most and feels energising to start.
By breaking your goal into small, clear actions, you lower the resistance to getting started. It’s like climbing a staircase, one step at a time.
Every great achievement starts with a single step. By focusing on progress instead of perfection, you make the journey less daunting and far more sustainable.
Celebrate each small win. Over time, they compound into something truly meaningful. Believe in the power of starting small and staying committed.
Your goals are closer than you think, one small step at a time. Keep going.
