Success accumulates over time through multiple small wins which are the result of intentional planning, focus, and discipline.
Success Accumulates in Small Steps
Consider these two quotes about “the little things” to spark your thinking.
“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
It is natural to dream of and strive for significant victories, but if you don’t do the same for little victories, the big ones won’t happen. Start with your dream for where the organization will be in the future, then work backward toward the present. Ask yourself: Specifically, what will have to happen a year from now for us to know we are on the path to where we want to be in five or ten years? Assign a ‘champion’ to lead the accomplishment of this goal.
“I don’t look to jump over seven-foot bars: I look around for one-foot bars that I can step over.”
Warren Buffet
The Value of a Plan
Develop a plan, describing each milestone marking progress toward the goal. Identify what will be accomplished each week. Include an action plan with specific timelines to move the organization toward the next milestone.
Ensure each person regularly presents a very brief report to their manager or the leadership team, describing what they planned to accomplish, whether they are on track, where they will be by the next report, and what help they need to move forward.
Celebrate every milestone and acknowledge the value of the accomplishment to reinforce the importance of each little step in its relation to the ultimate goal, then as each milestone is reached, celebrate in a progressively bigger way.
These actions will help everyone to focus on the little things that add up to great successes.
When all the little things accumulate, the result is a very big contribution to the long-term success of the organization. To learn more about measurement tools, click here.