One Small Step: The System for Lasting Change
Scott Miker
Big goals can feel overwhelming. Whether you want to lose weight, write a book, or build a business, it’s easy to get stuck thinking about how far you have to go. That sense of overwhelm often paralyzes us, keeping us from taking any action at all.
But here’s the secret: you don’t have to tackle the entire mountain all at once. Change happens one small step at a time. And when you use systems thinking, those small steps become the foundation for big, meaningful results.
Why Small Steps Work
When we think about making changes in our lives, we often overestimate what we can accomplish in a short amount of time and underestimate what we can accomplish over the long haul. We set ambitious goals, but when progress doesn’t come fast enough, we lose motivation.
Taking small steps flips that script. Small steps are achievable. They build momentum. They help you stay consistent, and consistency is what drives results over time.
For example:
If you want to get fit, start with a single push-up every day. Once that becomes a habit, add another.
If you want to declutter your home, don’t try to clean the entire house in one weekend. Start with one drawer.
These small steps may seem insignificant in the moment, but they create a system of progress. Over time, those small actions compound, leading to significant change.
The Power of Starting Small
When you start small, you eliminate the resistance that comes with big, overwhelming goals. Instead of thinking, “I’ll never be able to do this,” you start thinking, “I can handle this next step.” That mindset shift is critical.
Here’s an example from my own life: I once had a project that felt so daunting I didn’t even know where to start. Every time I sat down to work on it, I’d stare at the screen, feeling stuck. Finally, I decided to break it down into one simple step: write the first sentence. That’s it. Once I started, the second step became easier, then the third. Before I knew it, the project was well underway.
This is the power of systems thinking. You don’t have to see the entire path to your goal. You just need to focus on the next step.
Building a System of Small Steps
If you want to use small steps to create lasting change, follow these three simple principles:
1. Define the First Step
What’s the smallest possible action you can take right now? It should be so small that it feels easy, almost trivial. If your goal is to exercise more, your first step might be putting on your sneakers. If you want to start eating healthier, your first step might be drinking a glass of water before each meal.
The key is to make it so manageable that you can do it without hesitation.
2. Repeat It Consistently
The real power of small steps lies in repetition. One push-up won’t make you stronger, but one push-up every day will. Build your small step into your daily routine. Over time, this creates a habit—a system that runs almost on autopilot.
Remember, it’s not about doing a lot at once. It’s about showing up every day and taking that single step. Consistency builds momentum, and momentum drives results.
3. Scale Gradually
Once your first step becomes a habit, build on it. Add a second step, then a third. If you’ve been doing one push-up a day, try doing two. If you’ve been writing one sentence a day, aim for a paragraph.
Scaling doesn’t mean jumping to perfection overnight. It means growing steadily and sustainably. By taking one step at a time, you avoid burnout and ensure that your progress sticks.
The Long-Term Impact of Small Steps
At first, small steps might not seem like they’re making a difference. But over time, their impact compounds. Like drops of water filling a bucket, each small action adds up until you achieve something significant.
This is where systems thinking comes in. Instead of focusing on the end goal, focus on creating a system of consistent, small actions. The results will take care of themselves.
Start Where You Are
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, ask yourself this: What’s one small step I can take today?
That step doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to solve the whole problem. It just has to move you forward, even a little bit. Once you take that step, the next one will be easier. And before you know it, you’ll have built a system that keeps you moving toward your goals, one small step at a time.