One Percent Growth

Unlock your potential through consistent progress, one small step at a time.


personal growth and consistency

Personal growth and consistency: A lesson from a closed bridge

Sometimes, the path is unclear

Life can hand us unexpected obstacles sometimes. During a recent run, I found myself at the end of a bridge that was closed for repairs.

I couldn’t continue forward, so had no choice but to turn around. As I did, I saw 0.25 miles in front of me. I couldn’t see the other side, but I knew the direction I needed to go.

Progress begins with one small step

The bridge was straight, so I knew that every step forward was progress. I didn’t need to rush. I just needed to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

That felt like an analogy for the keys to success in personal development. We often know the goal we want to achieve, but it can seem too far away or too hard to reach. Bu in reality, it’s about knowing which way to go and to start taking one step at a time, consistently.

The power of consistency in reaching your goals

This idea reminded me of Earl Nightingale’s story in “The Strangest Secret.”  He contends that success stems from an understanding of the power of thoughts and goal-setting. You’ll explore how your mindset molds your reality, the psychological traits that distinguish the successful from the unsuccessful, and how to shift your thoughts, beliefs, and habits to align with your ambitions.

The key, Nightingale argues, is treating your aspirations as certainties and steadfastly visualizing their fulfillment. Though unconventional, this insight can rewire your mindset for unstoppable achievement and prosperity—if you stick to the experiment he shares for 30 days.

In both stories, the principle is the same. You don’t need to know every detail of how you’ll reach your goal. You just need to know where you’re headed and take action.

Every small step matters. Progress might feel slow, but with consistency, you will reach the end of the bridge.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by a distant goal, remember: just take one step. That’s all you need to do today. Tomorrow, repeat.

Your progress might be invisible now, but with time, it will be undeniable.