The Power of Small Wins
Why Progress Beats Perfection Every Time
In my last blog, we talked about how there’s nothing magical about January 1st and how waiting for a “fresh start” can quietly rob you of three whole months of progress.
So, if we’re not waiting for the perfect time, what should we do instead?
We start small.
The real magic doesn’t come from the date on the calendar, it comes from the small, consistent steps that remind you you can.
Why small wins matter
In psychology, there’s a concept called self-efficacy. This your belief in your ability to make things happen. It’s not about blind optimism; it’s about trust in your own capability to take action and follow through.
Every time you take a small step and succeed, you strengthen that belief. You gather proof that you can handle challenges, make decisions, and move forward, even when things aren’t perfect.
Psychologist Albert Bandura, who first explored self-efficacy, found that repeated small successes create a positive feedback loop. Each success triggers a small hit of dopamine ( that lovely feel-good chemical we’re all addicted to) that tells your brain, “This works. Keep going.”
So when you focus on small wins, you’re not just getting things done. You’re building the belief that you can get things done and that’s what creates long-term change.
Why waiting (and perfection) don’t help
We often wait for “the right time” to start — the new year, the new week, or some big, clean slate moment. Psychologists call these temporal landmarks. They make us feel like we’re drawing a line in the sand: old me, new me.
However, as we explored last time, those landmarks can be misleading. They give you the illusion of control while keeping you in pause mode.
Then perfection sneaks in, whispering: “If I can’t do it properly, I’ll wait until I can.”
The problem? Waiting and perfection both stop you from gathering evidence that you can take action now, which means your confidence never gets the chance to grow.
Meanwhile, imperfect action builds belief. Each small step proves that progress is possible, even when life isn’t tidy.
The psychology of momentum
Small wins create something powerful psychologists call a success spiral, a self-reinforcing loop where progress fuels motivation.
Every time you finish a small task, you get a mini burst of satisfaction. That sense of accomplishment encourages you to keep going. It’s why ticking off a to-do list (and writing a done list) feels so good, it’s not just productivity; it’s proof of progress.
Over time, those micro-successes compound. What once felt overwhelming starts to feel achievable. That’s how momentum builds, not from massive change, but from manageable consistency.
How to start gathering small wins
You don’t need a big plan or a brand-new year. You just need to start, small, simple, now.
1. Shrink your goals
If something feels too big, break it down until it feels easy. The aim isn’t to impress yourself, it’s to start. That’s the only way we can make progress.
→ Instead of “get fit”, try “move for 10 minutes today.”
→ Instead of “organise everything”, try “clear one drawer.”
2. Celebrate the doing
Don’t wait until the end result to feel proud. Every time you take action, acknowledge it. Say it out loud, jot it in your journal, or track it somewhere visible.
3. Track your effort
Progress isn’t always measurable by outcomes. Keep a note of every small thing you did, not just what you achieved. It’s a great antidote when motivation dips.
4. Reframe the wobble
Missed a day? That’s fine. Momentum isn’t lost because of one pause — it’s lost when you decide it’s “not worth it.” Pick up where you left off and keep going.
Small wins, big results
When you focus on small wins instead of perfect plans, you build the kind of confidence that sticks.
It’s not the size of the step that matters, it’s the consistency of taking it.
If you start now, by the time January rolls around, you won’t be waiting for motivation, you’ll already be moving.
Because while everyone else is writing their resolutions, you’ll be getting results.
✨ How we can work together
If you’re ready to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and actually start building momentum, there are two ways I can support you:
✨ The Coaching Circle – a supportive membership where you’ll get weekly goal setting, check-ins, co-working sessions and a community to keep you moving forward. Perfect if you want gentle accountability and a boost of motivation each week.
💬 1:1 Coaching – if you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, I offer personal coaching to help you get clear on what you want and create practical steps that work in real life. You’ll have me in your corner as you move from overthinking to actually getting things done.
✨ Whichever option feels right, you don’t have to do this alone and future-you will thank you for starting today.
