As part of my own 1% improvement journey, I’m a big fan of James Clear and read his excellent 3-2-1 newsletter every week (you should sign-up for it). I noticed this week, right at the very end, it said:
p.s. The first line of Pinocchio
So I had to go and Google it, and was not expecting to read what I did:
“Once upon a time there was… a piece of wood.”
Whilst it’s a simple start to the classic tale of Pinocchio, a bit of thought around it inspired me with the powerful message it holds around personal growth.
Small beginnings lead to big change
Pinocchio is telling us that he begins as a lifeless block of wood, with no signs of greatness or potential. But, through gradual transformation and small steps, he embarks on a journey to become a real boy.
Much like Pinocchio, we often start our own personal journeys from something ordinary, perhaps even unremarkable. It’s tempting to think we need to begin with brilliance, but the key to success is steady, consistent progress.
The power of small steps
1% improvement isn’t about grand gestures or immediate results. It’s about recognising that the first small step, however modest, can lead to something extraordinary over time.
The block of wood didn’t become Pinocchio overnight. In the same way, any personal development and growth requires patience, persistence, and faith in the process.
The compound effect of daily progress
Each day, you can carve away a little more from the “wood” in your life, refining and shaping it into something greater. Even if progress seems small, every effort compounds over time.
Remember, we all start somewhere. Whether it’s a new project or a personal goal, your journey of improvement starts today – just like Pinocchio’s.