Hi ,
What if the key to navigating your next big career move… was actually something small?
I’m talking about small wins. Tiny, often overlooked moments of progress that, when stacked, create something far bigger than we expect…and with a lot less angst. When you’re stepping into a career transition, by choice or necessity, small wins aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential.
The Big Move That Stalled (Until It Didn’t)
Years ago, after leaving my last venture, I was staring down a massive career pivot. One that, from the outside, probably looked exciting. But inside? I felt completely unmoored.
I kept thinking, I need to figure out the big thing. The next move. My new “one thing.” And because I hadn’t figured it out yet, I stalled.
For months.
Until one day, I decided to do something different.
I stopped obsessing over the big move and just focused on doing one small thing each day that felt meaningful. One call. One brainstorm. One note in my journal.
Those little wins? They built momentum. Confidence. Eventually clarity. And, ultimately, they led to a variety of endeavors, like the Sparketype® body-of-work, Good Life Project®, along with a series of books, events and more.
Why Big Transitions Feel So Hard
Career transitions, whether they’re voluntary or forced, can leave us feeling untethered. We often leave behind an identity, a community, and a clear sense of purpose.
Even when we’re excited about what’s next, we can be overwhelmed by the magnitude of change.
This is where many get stuck:
- The next role has to be perfect.
- The new business has to be fully thought out.
- The plan has to be airtight.
But focusing on big moves (and the need for them to be right or perfect) often keeps us paralyzed. The bar feels too high to take the first step.
Small Wins Build Belief
The antidote? Small wins.
Psychologist Teresa Amabile’s research at Harvard Business School confirms that even the smallest progress on meaningful work has an outsized impact on motivation and momentum.
Each small win builds belief. That belief fuels action. And action creates clarity.
For example, for Sparketypes like the Maven (driven by knowledge acquisition) or the Scientist (driven to solve problems), these small steps often satisfy the craving for discovery and solutions, without becoming overwhelmed by the vastness of a body-of-knowledge or problem to be solved.
Why Small Wins Matter More in Big Transitions
When we’re deep in a transition, especially a big one, our confidence is often shaky. Even if we’re seasoned leaders or experts, we’re stepping into new territory—and that can feel vulnerable.
Small wins create micro-moments of mastery. They remind us, I do have value, this is genuinely interesting to me, I’ve got this.
And here’s the secret:
In transitions, the goal isn’t to have everything figured out. It’s to stay in motion, learning and adapting as you go. Small wins are the fuel that keeps you moving. Building momentum.
How to Harness Small Wins in Your Career Transition
1. Define Your “Meaningful Micro-Actions”
What small actions could move you forward today? Not someday. Today.
A few ideas:
- Reach out to one person in your network who’s doing something interesting.
- Draft the first paragraph of your “About” page.
- Spend 20 minutes researching a field that sparks your curiosity.
- Offer to help someone with a problem you’re great at solving.
The key is to keep it small, specific, and doable.
2. Track Your Wins Daily
At the end of each day, jot down three small wins. Even if they feel insignificant. You made the call. Sent the email. Brainstormed the idea. By tracking them, you build a visual record of progress. And on hard days, you’ll have proof that you’re moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
3. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Each small win deserves recognition. Celebrate it. For Sparketypes like the Performer or the Warrior, sharing your wins with someone else can be especially energizing. For the Essentialist, the win might be simplifying something that felt complex. The more you acknowledge progress, the more momentum you’ll build.
Key Takeaways
- Small wins create momentum. They’re the antidote to paralysis in big transitions.
- Meaningful micro-actions matter. They reconnect you to purpose and spark energy, even on uncertain days.
- Tracking and celebrating wins builds confidence. Over time, they stack into something far greater than the sum of their parts.
- Stay in motion. Clarity often follows action, not the other way around.
Big transitions are rarely solved by big leaps. But consistent small wins? That’s how you build the bridge to what’s next.
How to Craft Your “Life Strategy” | Seth Godin
What if strategy could reshape your career, relationships, and future? In this powerful conversation, marketing icon and bestselling author Seth Godin joins Jonathan to share how applying life strategy through time, empathy, games, and systems can lead to more purposeful, fulfilling choices. You’ll learn to spot invisible systems, let go of outdated narratives, and design a future worth living into. Insightful, practical, and deeply human. Don’t miss this one.
I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply and share your small win with me.
Stay inspired,
Jonathan & The Spark Team
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