The Power of Incremental Progress: A Wellness Journey
Finding a New Path
I remember graduating high school without a college plan. I didn’t immediately set out to solve the college problem; all I knew was that I had been busy going to school every day, and now I had nothing to do.
At the time, I didn’t fully recognize or contemplate my sense of uncertainty. I was simply trying to fill up the newly available time with a sense of familiar structure.
I replaced my early trips to school with visits to the local stadium track, which I could easily reach on foot.
Small Steps
Consistency was the name of the game. It was pretty much a new experience for me, as I had avoided gym class participation as much a I could, and had not been involved in any sport programs in any of the school years.
This journey was about small, manageable changes that led to significant improvements over time.
I started using time and distance to track progress. I used a watch to time myself, focusing solely on improving my previous performance rather than rushing to achieve a specific outcome.
Unconsciously, I was implementing what in performance psychology and education is called "deliberate practice". I didn't think in these terms at the time, but in essence, I was being my own teacher and coach.
I taught myself how to jog without getting tired, gradually building stamina with sprinting sets, and eventually learning how to run longer distances. I wasn’t running marathon distances, but having started from zero it was interesting to keep noticing how much farther I could go.
Small Wins
This whole approach also mirrors the concept of incremental progress in personal development, where small victories accumulate to create lasting change. A topic I've read about in the literature about habit formation.
Small Changes, Big Impact: Each jogging or running session became an opportunity to celebrate incremental milestones. Whether running slightly farther or experiencing reduced fatigue; these small victories consistently fueled my motivation and strengthened my commitment.
Building Momentum: I found joy in the process, which encouraged me to keep experimenting. Time, distance, speed and other simple metrics were part of the mental tracking system I maintained. I was a happy camper.
Overcoming Challenges
These journeys are not without their challenges. I’m sure there were days when I would have felt tired or unmotivated, or things got in the way of my routine.
However, learning to embrace setbacks are part of the personal growth process, as is resilience.
Many people think that resilience is an outcome of adversity, huge challenges and or that people are born with it.
In reality, psychological research demonstrates that resilience is not an innate trait, but a trainable skill set. As a mentor and professional life coach this is one of the areas I now help clients cultivate.
Support Systems
While I executed this jogging journey on my own, any wellness journey is likely more appealing and enjoyable when you become a part of a community or team up with someone to receive encouragement and support.
The stories and experiences of others often offer inspiration, and sharing challenges and victories foster a sense of accountability and motivation.
Lasting Results
Unknowingly, my post-high school running became the foundation of my lifelong wellness journey. I couldn’t tell you how long it took to run what distance, but I recall that about a decade later, I found out I was pregnant one afternoon following the completion of a six-mile jog.
It’s not a big deal when you consider the thousands of marathon runners around the world.
But it is when you consider that many more people could be reaching meaningful wellness goals if they adopted an incremental progress approach.
The most powerful lesson here isn't about individual achievement, but about a universal truth: Success is a product of small, consistent choices that yield lasting results.
Whether you're facing personal fitness goals, career challenges, or life transitions, the principle remains the same.
Progress isn't about grand gestures or overnight transformations. It's about showing up for yourself, day after day, with patience and curiosity.
What small step will you take today to move the needle forward in your own transformation?
If you are curious about how I may be able to help, schedule a Discovery Call.
Sign-up for The Soul Notes Newsletter — get inspired insights, practical tips, and notifications of events designed to support your embodiment and mind-body harmony.
Explore ACS transformative programs today and begin your journey toward deeper connection and balance.
