Ever think to yourself—“If I just had some extra hours in the day I’d…

…Lose the 15 pounds I need to fit into the shorts I love,

…Read the book that’s been staring at me from my coffee table for entirely too long,

…Go back to school and get the degree I’ve always wanted,

…Clean out my basement,

…Go on a date.”

I know I have! In September of 2016, I went to Italy for the first time. When I left, I promised to learn Italian in one year.

Well…

You know how to story goes.

One excuse led to the next, and before I knew it, March 2017 came and I still hadn’t made any progress.

That is, until a friend lent me a set of CDs with the basics of Italian. The brilliance behind this particular set of CDs is that each one consists of two, 30-minute lessons. And each lesson builds on itself.

Now—I’ve had them since March, and it is now May and I’ve only made it through two. But, you know what—it doesn’t matter, because I’m still learning Italian. One CD, one lesson at a time, I’m learning Italian. Even if I keep at my current pace, I will still end up knowing Italian.

The same process was true for my TEDxTalk. I started with an emotionally charged title, had no idea how I was going to end up with a cohesive speech on the topic, took a bunch of tiny steps, and wound up with exactly the information I needed to share on the TEDx stage.

BIG results begin with an honest commitment and a willingness to take the tiniest of steps. One tiny step leads to the next, and before you know it, you reach success.

It might not happen on your timeframe, but it will happen. It has to.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” –Lao Tzu

Whether it’s reaching your ideal measure of fitness, learning a new language, or completing your first 5K, take the first small step toward reaching success by deciding what you want to do, identify what success looks like, and then take your first step today.

And then tomorrow, take another tiny step.

Before you know it, you’ll begin a trajectory of success that builds on itself as your life morphs in the direction you’ve always wanted it to go.

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.” –Vance Havner

Here’s to your greatness,

Misti Burmeister