You start a new project after having an amazing idea—and then reality hits. Your initial results feel miles away from perfect. So, you do what many of us do: you pull back, start to doubt yourself, abandon the idea, and maybe even quit before you reach your goals.
And it’s not just you—this happens to people all the time. When you set huge milestones, they can feel impossible to reach. That’s why one of the best ways to keep yourself focused and moving forward is to trade big milestones for something called “inch stones.”
According to research cited in The Progress Principle, (Harvard Business Review Press, 2011) making small, incremental progress in meaningful work is one of the most powerful drivers of motivation, productivity, and creativity. Their study, which analyzed nearly 12,000 diary entries from 238 employees across seven companies, found that even minor achievements can significantly boost morale and performance.
Small wins matter. Celebrating small milestones creates a positive feedback loop where progress fuels motivation, which then drives more action and further progress.
The Power of Inch Stones
Inch stones are just what they sound like—tiny, incremental progress markers that help you see forward movement. If milestones are your “finish lines,” inch stones are those little flags along the route telling you you’re still on course. They keep you motivated and build momentum when the finish line feels too far away. Celebrate when you book a consultation with your next new client or put a fresh lead magnet out there. Each of these small wins adds up, and before you know it, you’ll have covered more ground than you thought possible.
How to Measure Inch Stones in Your Business
If you’re feeling stuck, try this:
- Keep Your Big Goal while focusing on Smaller Steps: Instead of focusing on something that feels really far away, ask yourself, “What’s the next step I can take today?”
- Celebrate Every Step Forward: Recognizing progress—no matter how small—boosts your energy to keep going.
- Reflect on Your Progress Regularly: Looking back to see how far you’ve come is a powerful reminder that you’re not standing still.
For example, if your goal is to transform your company culture, don’t wait until you’ve completed a full reorganization to celebrate. Acknowledge the first meeting where your team opens up more than usual, or when someone suggests a new idea without hesitation. These are the inch stones that lead to lasting change.
Real impact—whether personal, professional, or business growth—isn’t about hitting one big goal. It’s about showing up every day, taking small steps, and finding alignment along the way. The next time you feel like giving up, look for your inch stone. It might be closer than you think.
By focusing on inch stones, you’ll not only keep going—you’ll go further than you ever thought possible.
Originally published in Inc.com
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