Some people believe that reaching the top or crossing the finish line requires only sacrifice and effort. Try climbing a staircase by skipping a step and see what happens. When I previously mentioned starting over — especially after a period of stagnation — it was a way to remind us that, although we set goals and idealize dreams, things don’t always turn out as planned, nor do they always happen at the right time.
This applies to both professional and personal goals. Look at a staircase in front of you. Now imagine yourself with superpowers, like in the old series The Bionic Woman. In a single jump, you could reach the top. But let me ask you: do you have a talent you consider a superpower? Probably, but you certainly don’t have bionic legs. To reach the top with honor and a sense of accomplishment, you would need to focus on every single step and movement.
Remember: to achieve the extraordinary, we must start with small, ordinary acts repeated with discipline and consistency. Imagine climbing a ladder and skipping a rung. Let’s face it: you’re likely to strain a muscle, aren’t you? And what about going down that same ladder and skipping a step? I once skipped a step by mistake. Do you know what happened? I fell flat on my face.
In real life, our greatest strength is not the jump, but the ability to not give up on the next step. If the situation you or someone close to you is facing requires reaching the top, remember that it is essential to start with the first step.
In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey begins the first step with “Be Proactive.” But the second step says that to get where you want, you must first “Begin with the end in mind.” In other words, create a blueprint, just like in construction. You must visualize what you have in mind because only then can you create a plan and put it into practice. Without this mental map, effort turns into exhaustion and movement turns into mere haste.
In the next stage, Covey describes the third habit, “First things first,” reminding us of the importance of organization and prioritizing what is essential over what is merely urgent. Therefore, it is fundamental to remember that every step is important, and each one happens in its due time and rhythm.
So, when you start over with perseverance, remember that the most important thing is to move forward with safety and consistency. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew” — or as we say in Brazil, “Don’t take a step longer than your leg” — be cautious. Don’t focus on the jump, but on the steady steps of someone who knows that reaching the top can make you a champion, but staying there is an achievement that requires balance and endurance. Map out your plans, define your priorities, and trust in every step to come.
