July 7, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome to another uplifting episode of the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast! I’m your host, John C. Morley — Serial Entrepreneur, Podcast Coach, and passionate lifelong learner. As I read this to you, I invite you to reflect with me on something we often overlook: the true power of small steps. In a world obsessed with fast results and giant leaps, it’s easy to forget that steady, intentional progress wins the race. Today, we’ll uncover why small steps beat forced leaps every time — and how embracing this mindset can help you achieve more with less stress and greater fulfillment. Let’s dive in! 🌟🎧
1️⃣ Small steps build lasting progress. 🪜 Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that when I take small, intentional steps toward my goals, the progress I make is solid and sustainable. It’s like laying bricks one at a time — each one adds strength and stability. This slow and steady approach helps create a foundation that can handle challenges and setbacks. When you choose small steps, you’re not just moving forward; you’re building something that lasts.
2️⃣ Forced leaps often crumble fast. 💥 I’ve seen — and experienced — what happens when you try to force massive leaps without preparation. It’s like trying to jump across a canyon without checking if you’re ready. Forced leaps can create impressive short-term results, but because they’re built on shaky ground, they often fall apart under pressure. Lasting success comes from thoughtful planning and small, steady actions — not rushed, risky leaps.
3️⃣ Small steps create steady momentum. ⚙️ One of the greatest benefits of small steps is how they naturally create momentum. Every small win builds your confidence and motivates you to keep going. I’ve found that when I focus on what I can do today — even if it seems minor — it sets off a chain reaction of positive action. Momentum from small steps is powerful because it grows over time and helps you stay consistent.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
Well, hey guys, it is John Seymour here,
serial entrepreneur, you know, it is great to
be with you on Inspirations for Your Life.
Today, in case you're wondering, well, it's Monday,
and that means that we've got a brand
(00:40):
new, well, we've got a brand new week,
but our Master Topic, you know, actually starts
off on Saturdays, as you probably know, and
it goes through to Friday.
So I just want to thank everyone for
popping in.
You know, we put some amazing content out
every single day here on Inspirations for Your
Life.
And if you are coming here for the
(01:01):
first time, I want to take this opportunity
to personally welcome and thank you.
If you're coming back, well, I want to
say thank you for coming back.
I always love friends and colleagues that come
back and enjoy this amazing content that we
have to offer.
So really appreciate you for being here and
(01:23):
deciding to be part of this amazingly great
content that we have here on Inspirations for
Your Life.
All right, guys.
So if you didn't know already, the Master
Topic for this week, which kicked off, well,
just the other day it kicked off, and
(01:45):
that's trust the process and ditch the force.
Well, today's granular topic is a really good
one.
Small steps win over forced leaps.
We are on, yes, show number, well, series
four, show 28, episode number three.
If you're parched or maybe you're hungry, go
(02:05):
to the kitchen, get yourself something, get comfortable
and come on back and we'll kick this
show off.
All right, and don't forget to check out
BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of my amazing, inspiring
creations, which you can do right after the
show.
And of course, 24 hours a day.
All right, guys, it is so great to
be with everyone here.
I hope everyone had a relaxing, healthy and
(02:29):
enjoyable 4th of July long holiday weekend.
I really do hope that you had a
great one.
Um, like I said, there's so many great
things, uh, that went on this weekend.
And I know, uh, we think about these
things.
A lot of people are like, oh my
gosh, I can't believe that, you know, um,
4th of July is over.
(02:49):
Yeah, unfortunately it is over.
So welcome everyone to another uplifting episode of
the ever empowering inspiration for your life podcast.
I am John C.
Morley, a serial entrepreneur, podcast coach, host, video
producer, engineer, and of course a passionate lifelong
learner that loves to inspire and get you
to learn as well.
(03:10):
As I read this to you, I invite
you to reflect with me on something we
often overlook and that's true power of small
steps.
In a world obsessed with fast results and
giant leaps, it's easy to forget that steady
intentional progress, well, it wins the race.
Today I'll uncover why small steps beat forced
(03:30):
leaps every time and how you achieve more
with less stress and greater fulfillment.
So let's dive in everyone.
Number one, small steps build lasting progress.
Throughout my career, I've noticed that when I
take small intentional steps toward my goals, the
progress I make is solid and sustainable.
(03:52):
It's like laying bricks one at a time.
Each one adds strength and stability.
This slow and steady approach helps create a
foundation that can handle challenges and setbacks.
When you choose small steps, you're not just
moving forward, you're building something that really lasts.
So why not do that?
(04:13):
Number two, forced leaps often crumble fast.
I've seen and I've experienced what happens when
you try to force massive leaps without some
preparation.
It's like trying to jump across a canyon
without checking if you're ready, you have the
right equipment.
(04:34):
Forced leaps can create impressive short-term results
to many, but because they're built on shaky
ground, they often fall apart under pressure.
Lasting success comes from thoughtful planning and small
steady actions, not rush.
Risky leaps is not what we want.
(04:55):
Number three, guys, small steps create steady momentum.
One of the greatest benefits of small steps
is how they naturally create momentum.
Every small win builds your confidence and motivates
you to keep going.
I found that when I focus on what
I can do today, even if it seems
minor, it sets up a chain reaction of
(05:16):
positive actions.
Momentum from small steps is powerful because it
grows over time and helps you stay consistent.
Number four, forced leaps spark burnout.
They certainly do.
I've learned the hard way that trying to
force big leaps can lead, well, and also
(05:39):
leave you drained and disillusioned.
When you push too hard, too fast, you
exhaust, you burn out your energy, and often
lose sight of your original purpose, and you
take the fun out of everything.
Burnout creeps in because you're spending so much
effort just trying to keep up.
Small steps, on the other hand, let you
pace yourself and preserve your passion for the
(06:02):
long haul.
So why not take small steps?
Why not enjoy the long journey and not
try to complete it in one day?
Number five, small steps strengthen confidence.
Each small step is like a promise kept
to yourself.
I felt the boost that comes from knowing
I'm moving in the right direction.
(06:22):
No matter how slowly, small achievements add up
and remind you that you can do hard
things.
The more you honor these small steps, the
stronger your self-belief becomes.
And that confidence is the fuel to take
us to even bigger goals over time.
(06:43):
Number four, forced leaps invite mistakes.
Yes, they do.
When you leap without preparation, it's easy to
trip.
I've made mistakes by rushing decisions or trying
to skip steps.
I'm going to find myself cleaning up the
mess later.
Forced leaps leave little room for learning or
(07:05):
adjustment, and that can lead to costly errors.
Small steps give you the chance to learn,
refine, and grow along the way.
Number seven, small steps encourage learning.
What I love about small steps is that
they give you time and space to learn.
Every small, consistent step or move forward brings
(07:28):
lessons that you can apply to the next
step.
I've grown the most not during giant leaps,
but in those quiet moments when I paused,
reflected, and adjusted my approach.
Small steps turn your journey into a classroom
where you can continuously improve.
So why not live a life of continuous
(07:49):
improvement?
Number eight, forced leaps ignore the process.
When you force a leap, you often skip
the valuable part of the journey.
I found that when I tried to shortcut
my way to success, I missed out on
important growth moments.
Forced leaps focus only on the end result
and overlook the process that actually builds skills
(08:12):
and character.
Small steps honor the journey and help you
grow along the way.
So let's enjoy the small steps.
Let's enjoy the journey.
Let's enjoy the process, and let's learn from
ourselves and others.
Small steps unite effort and our core purposes.
(08:33):
There's something deeply satisfying about aligning your daily
efforts with your bigger purpose in life.
Small steps help you stay connected to why
you're doing what you're doing.
I felt this alignment when I've broken big
goals into daily actions that reflect my values.
It keeps your work meaningful and your energy
(08:56):
focused, turning effort into purposeful driven activities and,
of course, amazing progress.
Number 10, forced leaps chase quick results.
I've seen how tempting it is to go
for the fastest possible outcome, but forced leaps
(09:16):
are often about chasing speed rather than building
substance or something of quality.
When we rush for quick results, we risk
creating something fragile and short-lived, and we're
bound to make a lot of mistakes.
Small steps, if you're slower, lead to results
that last because they're built thoughtfully with care
(09:40):
and intention.
I think sometimes people fall behind and people
say, oh my gosh, the only way I'm
going to catch up is if I speed
up.
But somebody once told me, John, you know,
if you slow down, you'll move faster.
I didn't quite understand that, but now I
do.
It means that if you slow down and
(10:03):
you really focus on what you're doing, you're
less likely to make mistakes and then you
won't have to do them again and again
and again.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's the part of the
program that I really love.
I mean, I love the whole program, but
here's one of my most favorite parts of
the program.
I'm going to give you basically a personal
story or lesson for each point today, and
(10:28):
I'm hoping that it will solidify what I'm
talking about, and then it'll get you to
want to take that step to, let's say,
start that journey in your life.
Maybe you're saying, John, that's very difficult, but
I'm here to tell you that you can
(10:50):
do it.
The first thing you have to remember is
that belief might be what is holding you
back, holds a lot of people back.
So understanding what belief is, understanding our core
values, understanding that speed is not your friend,
okay?
What happens when you speed on the highway?
Well, you'd go over the speed limit, and
(11:10):
that's not a good thing, right?
Speed can cause danger in some situations.
Speed can cause mistakes.
Speed can cause loss of money because resources
are, let's say, used and wasted.
Speed can also get us to become complacent
(11:34):
with ourselves and others, and nobody likes that,
but when you fall behind, people say, oh,
you know what?
The only way I'm going to catch up
is I better hurry up, and every time
somebody tells me, John, I'm going to hurry
up, you know what happens?
Well, they wind up doing worse than if
they would have taken their time.
Now, it might seem like you're going to
get less work done because of the numbers
(11:55):
and counting things, but if you think about
all the mistakes you're going to be making
by going fast, I think it actually makes
sense to go slow, right?
There was a song, I think, many years
ago.
It was like, slow down.
You're moving too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Kicking back on the cobblestones.
(12:17):
What was it?
Feeling alone or something and feeling groovy.
So, you know, according to the song, but
it really is truthful that we have to
understand what this means to us.
If we don't and we just take these
steps and we try to just, you know,
get them done as quickly as possible, we're
(12:39):
going to become very, very frustrated with ourselves.
Why?
Because nothing's going to get done the way
you want it to get done.
That's a problem.
Small steps build lasting progress.
When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I
had big dreams.
I still do.
(13:00):
But I quickly realized that chasing them all
at once was overwhelming.
So, instead, I focused on small, manageable tasks
each day.
For example, rather than trying to build an
entire business in a month, I dedicated time
daily to learning networking and creating.
Each small action that I focused on, like
(13:20):
writing one blog post or making one new
connection, slowly add up.
Over time, I looked back and saw, well,
I had built a strong, reliable foundation that
supported future growth.
This approach alone taught me that real progress
isn't flashy.
It's quiet.
It's steady and intentional.
(13:40):
Just like a brick wall built one brick
at a time can withstand storms, the small
steps I took create a structure that could
handle any set of challenges, market shifts, and
even setbacks.
The satisfaction I feel daily from knowing that
I've built something that will last is far
(14:01):
greater than any thrill that comes from a
rushed set of achievements.
Number two, forced leaps often crumble fast.
I never forgot a business project early in
my career where I tried to skip steps.
I rushed into a major expansion, investing heavily
without securing the necessary team or infrastructure.
At first, it looked impressive.
The rapid growth and bold moves drew attention.
(14:24):
But cracks started to show quickly because I
hadn't laid the proper groundwork.
I found myself struggling to keep up fixing
problems that shouldn't have even ever existed and
ultimately scaling back.
That experience taught me a tough but valuable
lesson.
What looks like success on the surface can
hide instability underneath.
(14:47):
Forced leaps create flashy results, but they often
can endure real-world pressures.
From that point forward, I committed to moving
at a pace that allowed me to build
with care, integrity, so my work would stand
strong when challenges inevitably arose.
Number three, small steps create steady momentum.
(15:08):
There was a time when I was feeling
stuck, as if my dreams and goals were
too far away to reach.
Instead of trying to overhaul everything overnight, I
chose one small action I could take that
day, just one.
That first action, as simple as it was,
made me feel accomplished.
The next day, I add another small step.
Before long, I noticed a rhythm forming.
(15:30):
I was no longer stuck.
I was moving forward.
I do this every day, guys.
I write out my agenda of what I
want to get done, and I cross off
the items.
Doing the IFYL show is one of the
things on the agenda, and I feel really
great when I get it done.
Momentum from small steps feels like gentle pushes
(15:51):
to keep you going, even on hard days.
Each minor success fuels your motivation, and soon,
these little efforts compound into something really big.
I found that consistency beats intensity, because it
keeps you in motion, and motion leads to
real change.
I want to compare this to balancing on
(16:13):
a balance beam, right?
If you take small, steady steps while keeping
your arms out, you're much less likely to
fall in the beginning.
If you try to get on the balance
beam and try to show that you're a
hero, well, you might do great for maybe
20 seconds, and then, bam, you're going to
(16:34):
just crash and fall down, hopefully, onto a
mat.
So, as you develop inner strength to be
able to balance, you can do a lot
more.
As we build that structure, which seems invisible,
and it becomes very sturdy, there's a lot
(16:56):
that can support it and help us as
we grow.
Number four, forced leaps spark burnout.
I once took on too much at once,
believing that pushing harder would get me to
my goals faster.
I overcommitted, working late nights, skipping breaks, and
saying yes to everything.
At first, I felt unstoppable, like I was
conquering the world, but soon, exhaustion started to
(17:18):
set in.
My passion started fading, and I found myself
dreading the very thing I loved.
Burnt out crept in because I wasn't respecting
my limits or pacing myself.
I learned that sustainable success requires balance.
Small steps honor your well-being and your
goals.
They give you space to rest, reflect, and
(17:41):
stay energized, so you can keep showing up
with passion and purpose for the long haul,
right?
Number three, small steps will strengthen your confidence
every day.
I remember a time when I doubted whether
I could take on a speaking engagement.
Instead of focusing on the enormity of the
task, I broke it down into small parts,
writing a single section, practicing a few lines,
(18:03):
rehearsing in front of some friends.
Each small win reassured me that I was
capable.
The more I honored these little victories, the
stronger my confidence became.
Those small steps helped me to face the
stage without any fear, but with pride.
(18:24):
After the talk, I realized that the journey
built on those tiny consistent actions had transformed
how I saw myself.
You see, speaking is one thing, but when
you're speaking on a new topic or to
a new group, you might have to, well,
plan a little bit, and there's nothing wrong
with that.
Just knowing that will really transform yourself, as
(18:45):
it did me.
Confidence isn't built in leaps, guys.
It's built one step at a time through
promises kept and challenges met.
So, why are we trying to impress others?
We don't need to.
We need to impress ourselves.
The only way we're going to do that
is to take consistent action that we can
be proud of, even if it's small each
(19:06):
time.
Number six, force leaps.
Invite mistakes.
I've made my share of mistakes, and I'm
sure you guys have too, from rushing.
One project that comes to mind was when
I launched a new service without adequate testing.
I wanted to beat competitors to get this
to market right away, so I skipped some
key steps.
The result, glitches, unhappy clients, and a lot
(19:28):
of damage control that could have been avoided.
I learned that hurrying often makes, well, overlooking
details that matter key.
Since then, I've embraced small steps, because they
allow time for careful checks and thoughtful decisions.
Small steps give you room to catch mistakes,
early adjust, and improve.
(19:50):
Force leaps, on the other hand, often blind
you with what's right in front of you
until it's too late.
So, small steps encourage learning, and I think
that's a very, very important thing to understand,
is that small steps are very, very key.
(20:12):
And I will tell you guys, this is
very important to realize what's going on.
I know a lot of you want to
do this right away, but it's important to
take your time.
And this can be hard for some people.
(20:35):
I think when we start to realize this,
it means something to everyone.
So, small steps give you room to catch
mistakes early, adjust, and improve.
Force leaps, on the other hand, often blind
you with what's right in front of you
until it's too late.
Number seven, small steps encourage learning.
(20:56):
When I reflect on the times I've grown
the most, it's always during periods where I
move thoughtfully, step by step.
For example, when learning new technologies, I didn't
try to master everything at once.
I focused on one concept at a time,
and practicing and reflecting as I went.
Those small steps, well, they gave me space
(21:19):
to absorb knowledge deeply rather than just skimming
the surface.
Each small step became a lesson that enriched
the next.
I came to see my journey as, well,
ongoing, a classroom where every action taught me
something valuable.
The beauty of small steps is that they
(21:39):
let you learn as you go, turning your
progress into a series of meaningful discoveries.
Number eight, force leaps ignore the process.
There was a phase where I became so
fixated on the goal, the end goal it
is, I tried to skip ahead.
I thought if I could just reach the
(22:00):
destination faster, I'd feel fulfilled.
But in doing so, I bypassed the very
experiences that would have prepared me for the
success I needed.
When challenges came, I realized I didn't have
the tools or resilience I would have gained
by honoring the process.
Small steps have taught me to value the
journey itself.
Every step brings growth, insight, and skill that
(22:22):
prepare you for what's ahead.
Force leaps may promise quick success, but they
rob you of that chance to develop the
true wisdom and character and integrity that truly
matter to us and to everyone else that
we come in contact with.
Number nine, small steps should knight effort and
purpose.
Some of my most meaningful accomplishments came from
(22:45):
breaking large goals into small purposeful actions.
For instance, when creating a community event, I
aligned every task from emails to venue visits
with the event's core mission.
Each small step felt purposeful because it was
tied to a bigger why.
That alignment made the work more joyful and
fulfilling.
Small steps let you connect what you do
(23:06):
today with the impact you want to make
tomorrow.
See, they help you stay true to your
values and focused on your purpose.
In my experience, this alignment between effort and
purpose keeps you motivated, even when the work
gets hard.
Remember I said the challenge is where the
good stuff is, right?
We don't grow when we're comfortable.
(23:27):
We grow when we're uncomfortable, so we have
to practice getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
Number 10, force leaps chase quick results.
I've fallen into the trap of chasing those
fast results, believing that quicker is better, that
I would achieve something that would be so
amazing if I did it faster.
But quick wins often become disappointing.
(23:48):
They're hollow.
One example was a marketing campaign I rushed
to launch many years ago.
It got immediate attention, but because I hadn't
built it in thoughtfully the right way, it
fizzled out as fast as it started.
The initial excitement couldn't compensate for the lack
of depth, which I should have taken.
Small steps through slower actions have always led
(24:11):
to results that endure, and that's important.
They force you to think, plan, and build
with care.
In the end, those lasting outcomes are far
more rewarding than any fleeting success achieved through
forced leaps.
In conclusion, I want to let you guys
know something that's very, very important.
Many of you are going to see others
(24:32):
out there, and they're going to be at
a different place in life than you are,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's just that you shouldn't compare yourself to
try to get where they are, because they're
at a different part in their journey, just
like you're at a different part in your
journey.
They may have already learned those success skills,
where you, on the other hand, might not.
If you get that opportunity, and you don't
(24:56):
have those skills developed clearly with a lot
of practice, you know what's going to happen?
You're going to get frustrated.
You're then going to feel that you can't
do it.
The small steps, those small mini-goals that
you have to get first, if you get
those accomplished, they're small, right?
Your first one could be something as simple
(25:18):
as, I don't know, I was working on
a book, and I just wrote the outline.
That could be your very first goal or
your first achievement.
Another one, maybe it's a relationship.
Well, maybe the fact that you just decided
to go out.
Maybe you didn't meet anybody, but you at
least went out somewhere.
You left your house.
Maybe you're trying to get back into your
(25:40):
educational realm.
Maybe you didn't start class yet, but what
you did do is you started researching the
steps you needed to get into class.
I think these are very important things.
As we're traversing through this week, it is
my hope that you will see that force
(26:01):
is more of a problem.
I know a lot of you say to
me, John, yeah, but force is so powerful.
Look at Darth Vader and all these other
great movies, and they have force.
Well, there is power in force.
They always say in Star Wars, may the
force be with you.
Well, that's true, but not only the force
(26:22):
be with you, but the amount of force.
I'm going to give you a perfect example.
We have this RO system, and I had
gotten my parents one.
One of the local plumbers sent them by
to try to help them, but was not
knowledgeable with RO systems.
Well, he took the knob and he turned
it just a little bit too hard.
(26:45):
What did he do?
He cracked the cylinder so new filters could
not be inserted in there.
I think this is a problem for a
lot of people.
They believe that if you just do something
quick, we can always fix it.
We can always fix it, but why should
we have to fix something?
Why can't we take the time to actually
(27:06):
do something right?
Whether that's picking the right color, whether it's
signing your name, whether it's throwing out the
trash.
Maybe you threw out the wrong stuff.
Maybe you threw out something that actually was
valuable.
Maybe whatever you did wasn't going to be
(27:26):
the greatest thing because you really didn't put
one and one together.
You just knew that this is probably what
you're going to do.
You've seen other people do it, but it
might not have been good in your situation.
This happens a lot in chemistry and in
science.
People decide to do something today because they
think that's how it's done, but they haven't
necessarily understood the chemicals in the process or
(27:47):
the different components that are part of the
experiment.
I think this is what frustrates most people.
They try like heck to get something done.
They haven't done any pre-planning.
No planning equals failure.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
I know that sounds crazy, but I want
(28:08):
to encourage all of you out there that
you can have the wins.
Don't be in such a hurry.
Take the small steps.
Enjoy the small wins.
Don't force things.
Let life flow.
I guarantee you, it'll be much better and
more successful for you.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
(28:28):
I'll catch you guys when?
Well, tomorrow.
Take care, everyone.
Be well.
Well, hey guys, it is John Seymour here,
serial entrepreneur, you know, it is great to
be with you on Inspirations for Your Life.
Today, in case you're wondering, well, it's Monday,
and that means that we've got a brand
(00:40):
new, well, we've got a brand new week,
but our Master Topic, you know, actually starts
off on Saturdays, as you probably know, and
it goes through to Friday.
So I just want to thank everyone for
popping in.
You know, we put some amazing content out
every single day here on Inspirations for Your
Life.
And if you are coming here for the
(01:01):
first time, I want to take this opportunity
to personally welcome and thank you.
If you're coming back, well, I want to
say thank you for coming back.
I always love friends and colleagues that come
back and enjoy this amazing content that we
have to offer.
So really appreciate you for being here and
(01:23):
deciding to be part of this amazingly great
content that we have here on Inspirations for
Your Life.
All right, guys.
So if you didn't know already, the Master
Topic for this week, which kicked off, well,
just the other day it kicked off, and
(01:45):
that's trust the process and ditch the force.
Well, today's granular topic is a really good
one.
Small steps win over forced leaps.
We are on, yes, show number, well, series
four, show 28, episode number three.
If you're parched or maybe you're hungry, go
(02:05):
to the kitchen, get yourself something, get comfortable
and come on back and we'll kick this
show off.
All right, and don't forget to check out
BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of my amazing, inspiring
creations, which you can do right after the
show.
And of course, 24 hours a day.
All right, guys, it is so great to
be with everyone here.
I hope everyone had a relaxing, healthy and
(02:29):
enjoyable 4th of July long holiday weekend.
I really do hope that you had a
great one.
Um, like I said, there's so many great
things, uh, that went on this weekend.
And I know, uh, we think about these
things.
A lot of people are like, oh my
gosh, I can't believe that, you know, um,
4th of July is over.
(02:49):
Yeah, unfortunately it is over.
So welcome everyone to another uplifting episode of
the ever empowering inspiration for your life podcast.
I am John C.
Morley, a serial entrepreneur, podcast coach, host, video
producer, engineer, and of course a passionate lifelong
learner that loves to inspire and get you
to learn as well.
(03:10):
As I read this to you, I invite
you to reflect with me on something we
often overlook and that's true power of small
steps.
In a world obsessed with fast results and
giant leaps, it's easy to forget that steady
intentional progress, well, it wins the race.
Today I'll uncover why small steps beat forced
(03:30):
leaps every time and how you achieve more
with less stress and greater fulfillment.
So let's dive in everyone.
Number one, small steps build lasting progress.
Throughout my career, I've noticed that when I
take small intentional steps toward my goals, the
progress I make is solid and sustainable.
(03:52):
It's like laying bricks one at a time.
Each one adds strength and stability.
This slow and steady approach helps create a
foundation that can handle challenges and setbacks.
When you choose small steps, you're not just
moving forward, you're building something that really lasts.
So why not do that?
(04:13):
Number two, forced leaps often crumble fast.
I've seen and I've experienced what happens when
you try to force massive leaps without some
preparation.
It's like trying to jump across a canyon
without checking if you're ready, you have the
right equipment.
(04:34):
Forced leaps can create impressive short-term results
to many, but because they're built on shaky
ground, they often fall apart under pressure.
Lasting success comes from thoughtful planning and small
steady actions, not rush.
Risky leaps is not what we want.
(04:55):
Number three, guys, small steps create steady momentum.
One of the greatest benefits of small steps
is how they naturally create momentum.
Every small win builds your confidence and motivates
you to keep going.
I found that when I focus on what
I can do today, even if it seems
minor, it sets up a chain reaction of
(05:16):
positive actions.
Momentum from small steps is powerful because it
grows over time and helps you stay consistent.
Number four, forced leaps spark burnout.
They certainly do.
I've learned the hard way that trying to
force big leaps can lead, well, and also
(05:39):
leave you drained and disillusioned.
When you push too hard, too fast, you
exhaust, you burn out your energy, and often
lose sight of your original purpose, and you
take the fun out of everything.
Burnout creeps in because you're spending so much
effort just trying to keep up.
Small steps, on the other hand, let you
pace yourself and preserve your passion for the
(06:02):
long haul.
So why not take small steps?
Why not enjoy the long journey and not
try to complete it in one day?
Number five, small steps strengthen confidence.
Each small step is like a promise kept
to yourself.
I felt the boost that comes from knowing
I'm moving in the right direction.
(06:22):
No matter how slowly, small achievements add up
and remind you that you can do hard
things.
The more you honor these small steps, the
stronger your self-belief becomes.
And that confidence is the fuel to take
us to even bigger goals over time.
(06:43):
Number four, forced leaps invite mistakes.
Yes, they do.
When you leap without preparation, it's easy to
trip.
I've made mistakes by rushing decisions or trying
to skip steps.
I'm going to find myself cleaning up the
mess later.
Forced leaps leave little room for learning or
(07:05):
adjustment, and that can lead to costly errors.
Small steps give you the chance to learn,
refine, and grow along the way.
Number seven, small steps encourage learning.
What I love about small steps is that
they give you time and space to learn.
Every small, consistent step or move forward brings
(07:28):
lessons that you can apply to the next
step.
I've grown the most not during giant leaps,
but in those quiet moments when I paused,
reflected, and adjusted my approach.
Small steps turn your journey into a classroom
where you can continuously improve.
So why not live a life of continuous
(07:49):
improvement?
Number eight, forced leaps ignore the process.
When you force a leap, you often skip
the valuable part of the journey.
I found that when I tried to shortcut
my way to success, I missed out on
important growth moments.
Forced leaps focus only on the end result
and overlook the process that actually builds skills
(08:12):
and character.
Small steps honor the journey and help you
grow along the way.
So let's enjoy the small steps.
Let's enjoy the journey.
Let's enjoy the process, and let's learn from
ourselves and others.
Small steps unite effort and our core purposes.
(08:33):
There's something deeply satisfying about aligning your daily
efforts with your bigger purpose in life.
Small steps help you stay connected to why
you're doing what you're doing.
I felt this alignment when I've broken big
goals into daily actions that reflect my values.
It keeps your work meaningful and your energy
(08:56):
focused, turning effort into purposeful driven activities and,
of course, amazing progress.
Number 10, forced leaps chase quick results.
I've seen how tempting it is to go
for the fastest possible outcome, but forced leaps
(09:16):
are often about chasing speed rather than building
substance or something of quality.
When we rush for quick results, we risk
creating something fragile and short-lived, and we're
bound to make a lot of mistakes.
Small steps, if you're slower, lead to results
that last because they're built thoughtfully with care
(09:40):
and intention.
I think sometimes people fall behind and people
say, oh my gosh, the only way I'm
going to catch up is if I speed
up.
But somebody once told me, John, you know,
if you slow down, you'll move faster.
I didn't quite understand that, but now I
do.
It means that if you slow down and
(10:03):
you really focus on what you're doing, you're
less likely to make mistakes and then you
won't have to do them again and again
and again.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's the part of the
program that I really love.
I mean, I love the whole program, but
here's one of my most favorite parts of
the program.
I'm going to give you basically a personal
story or lesson for each point today, and
(10:28):
I'm hoping that it will solidify what I'm
talking about, and then it'll get you to
want to take that step to, let's say,
start that journey in your life.
Maybe you're saying, John, that's very difficult, but
I'm here to tell you that you can
(10:50):
do it.
The first thing you have to remember is
that belief might be what is holding you
back, holds a lot of people back.
So understanding what belief is, understanding our core
values, understanding that speed is not your friend,
okay?
What happens when you speed on the highway?
Well, you'd go over the speed limit, and
(11:10):
that's not a good thing, right?
Speed can cause danger in some situations.
Speed can cause mistakes.
Speed can cause loss of money because resources
are, let's say, used and wasted.
Speed can also get us to become complacent
(11:34):
with ourselves and others, and nobody likes that,
but when you fall behind, people say, oh,
you know what?
The only way I'm going to catch up
is I better hurry up, and every time
somebody tells me, John, I'm going to hurry
up, you know what happens?
Well, they wind up doing worse than if
they would have taken their time.
Now, it might seem like you're going to
get less work done because of the numbers
(11:55):
and counting things, but if you think about
all the mistakes you're going to be making
by going fast, I think it actually makes
sense to go slow, right?
There was a song, I think, many years
ago.
It was like, slow down.
You're moving too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Kicking back on the cobblestones.
(12:17):
What was it?
Feeling alone or something and feeling groovy.
So, you know, according to the song, but
it really is truthful that we have to
understand what this means to us.
If we don't and we just take these
steps and we try to just, you know,
get them done as quickly as possible, we're
(12:39):
going to become very, very frustrated with ourselves.
Why?
Because nothing's going to get done the way
you want it to get done.
That's a problem.
Small steps build lasting progress.
When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I
had big dreams.
I still do.
(13:00):
But I quickly realized that chasing them all
at once was overwhelming.
So, instead, I focused on small, manageable tasks
each day.
For example, rather than trying to build an
entire business in a month, I dedicated time
daily to learning networking and creating.
Each small action that I focused on, like
(13:20):
writing one blog post or making one new
connection, slowly add up.
Over time, I looked back and saw, well,
I had built a strong, reliable foundation that
supported future growth.
This approach alone taught me that real progress
isn't flashy.
It's quiet.
It's steady and intentional.
(13:40):
Just like a brick wall built one brick
at a time can withstand storms, the small
steps I took create a structure that could
handle any set of challenges, market shifts, and
even setbacks.
The satisfaction I feel daily from knowing that
I've built something that will last is far
(14:01):
greater than any thrill that comes from a
rushed set of achievements.
Number two, forced leaps often crumble fast.
I never forgot a business project early in
my career where I tried to skip steps.
I rushed into a major expansion, investing heavily
without securing the necessary team or infrastructure.
At first, it looked impressive.
The rapid growth and bold moves drew attention.
(14:24):
But cracks started to show quickly because I
hadn't laid the proper groundwork.
I found myself struggling to keep up fixing
problems that shouldn't have even ever existed and
ultimately scaling back.
That experience taught me a tough but valuable
lesson.
What looks like success on the surface can
hide instability underneath.
(14:47):
Forced leaps create flashy results, but they often
can endure real-world pressures.
From that point forward, I committed to moving
at a pace that allowed me to build
with care, integrity, so my work would stand
strong when challenges inevitably arose.
Number three, small steps create steady momentum.
(15:08):
There was a time when I was feeling
stuck, as if my dreams and goals were
too far away to reach.
Instead of trying to overhaul everything overnight, I
chose one small action I could take that
day, just one.
That first action, as simple as it was,
made me feel accomplished.
The next day, I add another small step.
Before long, I noticed a rhythm forming.
(15:30):
I was no longer stuck.
I was moving forward.
I do this every day, guys.
I write out my agenda of what I
want to get done, and I cross off
the items.
Doing the IFYL show is one of the
things on the agenda, and I feel really
great when I get it done.
Momentum from small steps feels like gentle pushes
(15:51):
to keep you going, even on hard days.
Each minor success fuels your motivation, and soon,
these little efforts compound into something really big.
I found that consistency beats intensity, because it
keeps you in motion, and motion leads to
real change.
I want to compare this to balancing on
(16:13):
a balance beam, right?
If you take small, steady steps while keeping
your arms out, you're much less likely to
fall in the beginning.
If you try to get on the balance
beam and try to show that you're a
hero, well, you might do great for maybe
20 seconds, and then, bam, you're going to
(16:34):
just crash and fall down, hopefully, onto a
mat.
So, as you develop inner strength to be
able to balance, you can do a lot
more.
As we build that structure, which seems invisible,
and it becomes very sturdy, there's a lot
(16:56):
that can support it and help us as
we grow.
Number four, forced leaps spark burnout.
I once took on too much at once,
believing that pushing harder would get me to
my goals faster.
I overcommitted, working late nights, skipping breaks, and
saying yes to everything.
At first, I felt unstoppable, like I was
conquering the world, but soon, exhaustion started to
(17:18):
set in.
My passion started fading, and I found myself
dreading the very thing I loved.
Burnt out crept in because I wasn't respecting
my limits or pacing myself.
I learned that sustainable success requires balance.
Small steps honor your well-being and your
goals.
They give you space to rest, reflect, and
(17:41):
stay energized, so you can keep showing up
with passion and purpose for the long haul,
right?
Number three, small steps will strengthen your confidence
every day.
I remember a time when I doubted whether
I could take on a speaking engagement.
Instead of focusing on the enormity of the
task, I broke it down into small parts,
writing a single section, practicing a few lines,
(18:03):
rehearsing in front of some friends.
Each small win reassured me that I was
capable.
The more I honored these little victories, the
stronger my confidence became.
Those small steps helped me to face the
stage without any fear, but with pride.
(18:24):
After the talk, I realized that the journey
built on those tiny consistent actions had transformed
how I saw myself.
You see, speaking is one thing, but when
you're speaking on a new topic or to
a new group, you might have to, well,
plan a little bit, and there's nothing wrong
with that.
Just knowing that will really transform yourself, as
(18:45):
it did me.
Confidence isn't built in leaps, guys.
It's built one step at a time through
promises kept and challenges met.
So, why are we trying to impress others?
We don't need to.
We need to impress ourselves.
The only way we're going to do that
is to take consistent action that we can
be proud of, even if it's small each
(19:06):
time.
Number six, force leaps.
Invite mistakes.
I've made my share of mistakes, and I'm
sure you guys have too, from rushing.
One project that comes to mind was when
I launched a new service without adequate testing.
I wanted to beat competitors to get this
to market right away, so I skipped some
key steps.
The result, glitches, unhappy clients, and a lot
(19:28):
of damage control that could have been avoided.
I learned that hurrying often makes, well, overlooking
details that matter key.
Since then, I've embraced small steps, because they
allow time for careful checks and thoughtful decisions.
Small steps give you room to catch mistakes,
early adjust, and improve.
(19:50):
Force leaps, on the other hand, often blind
you with what's right in front of you
until it's too late.
So, small steps encourage learning, and I think
that's a very, very important thing to understand,
is that small steps are very, very key.
(20:12):
And I will tell you guys, this is
very important to realize what's going on.
I know a lot of you want to
do this right away, but it's important to
take your time.
And this can be hard for some people.
(20:35):
I think when we start to realize this,
it means something to everyone.
So, small steps give you room to catch
mistakes early, adjust, and improve.
Force leaps, on the other hand, often blind
you with what's right in front of you
until it's too late.
Number seven, small steps encourage learning.
(20:56):
When I reflect on the times I've grown
the most, it's always during periods where I
move thoughtfully, step by step.
For example, when learning new technologies, I didn't
try to master everything at once.
I focused on one concept at a time,
and practicing and reflecting as I went.
Those small steps, well, they gave me space
(21:19):
to absorb knowledge deeply rather than just skimming
the surface.
Each small step became a lesson that enriched
the next.
I came to see my journey as, well,
ongoing, a classroom where every action taught me
something valuable.
The beauty of small steps is that they
(21:39):
let you learn as you go, turning your
progress into a series of meaningful discoveries.
Number eight, force leaps ignore the process.
There was a phase where I became so
fixated on the goal, the end goal it
is, I tried to skip ahead.
I thought if I could just reach the
(22:00):
destination faster, I'd feel fulfilled.
But in doing so, I bypassed the very
experiences that would have prepared me for the
success I needed.
When challenges came, I realized I didn't have
the tools or resilience I would have gained
by honoring the process.
Small steps have taught me to value the
journey itself.
Every step brings growth, insight, and skill that
(22:22):
prepare you for what's ahead.
Force leaps may promise quick success, but they
rob you of that chance to develop the
true wisdom and character and integrity that truly
matter to us and to everyone else that
we come in contact with.
Number nine, small steps should knight effort and
purpose.
Some of my most meaningful accomplishments came from
(22:45):
breaking large goals into small purposeful actions.
For instance, when creating a community event, I
aligned every task from emails to venue visits
with the event's core mission.
Each small step felt purposeful because it was
tied to a bigger why.
That alignment made the work more joyful and
fulfilling.
Small steps let you connect what you do
(23:06):
today with the impact you want to make
tomorrow.
See, they help you stay true to your
values and focused on your purpose.
In my experience, this alignment between effort and
purpose keeps you motivated, even when the work
gets hard.
Remember I said the challenge is where the
good stuff is, right?
We don't grow when we're comfortable.
(23:27):
We grow when we're uncomfortable, so we have
to practice getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
Number 10, force leaps chase quick results.
I've fallen into the trap of chasing those
fast results, believing that quicker is better, that
I would achieve something that would be so
amazing if I did it faster.
But quick wins often become disappointing.
(23:48):
They're hollow.
One example was a marketing campaign I rushed
to launch many years ago.
It got immediate attention, but because I hadn't
built it in thoughtfully the right way, it
fizzled out as fast as it started.
The initial excitement couldn't compensate for the lack
of depth, which I should have taken.
Small steps through slower actions have always led
(24:11):
to results that endure, and that's important.
They force you to think, plan, and build
with care.
In the end, those lasting outcomes are far
more rewarding than any fleeting success achieved through
forced leaps.
In conclusion, I want to let you guys
know something that's very, very important.
Many of you are going to see others
(24:32):
out there, and they're going to be at
a different place in life than you are,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's just that you shouldn't compare yourself to
try to get where they are, because they're
at a different part in their journey, just
like you're at a different part in your
journey.
They may have already learned those success skills,
where you, on the other hand, might not.
If you get that opportunity, and you don't
(24:56):
have those skills developed clearly with a lot
of practice, you know what's going to happen?
You're going to get frustrated.
You're then going to feel that you can't
do it.
The small steps, those small mini-goals that
you have to get first, if you get
those accomplished, they're small, right?
Your first one could be something as simple
(25:18):
as, I don't know, I was working on
a book, and I just wrote the outline.
That could be your very first goal or
your first achievement.
Another one, maybe it's a relationship.
Well, maybe the fact that you just decided
to go out.
Maybe you didn't meet anybody, but you at
least went out somewhere.
You left your house.
Maybe you're trying to get back into your
(25:40):
educational realm.
Maybe you didn't start class yet, but what
you did do is you started researching the
steps you needed to get into class.
I think these are very important things.
As we're traversing through this week, it is
my hope that you will see that force
(26:01):
is more of a problem.
I know a lot of you say to
me, John, yeah, but force is so powerful.
Look at Darth Vader and all these other
great movies, and they have force.
Well, there is power in force.
They always say in Star Wars, may the
force be with you.
Well, that's true, but not only the force
(26:22):
be with you, but the amount of force.
I'm going to give you a perfect example.
We have this RO system, and I had
gotten my parents one.
One of the local plumbers sent them by
to try to help them, but was not
knowledgeable with RO systems.
Well, he took the knob and he turned
it just a little bit too hard.
(26:45):
What did he do?
He cracked the cylinder so new filters could
not be inserted in there.
I think this is a problem for a
lot of people.
They believe that if you just do something
quick, we can always fix it.
We can always fix it, but why should
we have to fix something?
Why can't we take the time to actually
(27:06):
do something right?
Whether that's picking the right color, whether it's
signing your name, whether it's throwing out the
trash.
Maybe you threw out the wrong stuff.
Maybe you threw out something that actually was
valuable.
Maybe whatever you did wasn't going to be
(27:26):
the greatest thing because you really didn't put
one and one together.
You just knew that this is probably what
you're going to do.
You've seen other people do it, but it
might not have been good in your situation.
This happens a lot in chemistry and in
science.
People decide to do something today because they
think that's how it's done, but they haven't
necessarily understood the chemicals in the process or
(27:47):
the different components that are part of the
experiment.
I think this is what frustrates most people.
They try like heck to get something done.
They haven't done any pre-planning.
No planning equals failure.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
I know that sounds crazy, but I want
(28:08):
to encourage all of you out there that
you can have the wins.
Don't be in such a hurry.
Take the small steps.
Enjoy the small wins.
Don't force things.
Let life flow.
I guarantee you, it'll be much better and
more successful for you.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
(28:28):
I'll catch you guys when?
Well, tomorrow.
Take care, everyone.
Be well.
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