“Progressing at a snail’s pace is still progress, and slow progress is better than no progress. Never be stagnant, and never give up.” — Richelle E. Goodrich

Everyone wants faster progress. Faster results. Faster recognition. Faster proof that they’re on the right track.

Here’s the thing: when your first instinct is to rush — say yes to everything, cram more meetings, or try to force decisions out of panic — you usually end up working against yourelf. You burn out, second-guess yourself, and wonder why your “fast lane” feels more like a traffic jam.

“Go slow to go fast” isn’t about dragging your feet or taking a nap mid-climb (though naps are amazing). It’s about being intentional: pausing long enough to choose the right steps, breaking the climb into manageable moves, and building momentum that actually sticks. Whether you’re leading a team, raising kids, running a business, or just trying to adult successfully, that approach is what makes progress sustainable.

Here are five practical steps you can start using today:

1. Break it into small steps

Big goals can feel like a mountain made entirely of jello — a little shaky. The trick is to ignore the whole thing for a minute and focus on just the next rock under your foot. Maybe it’s speaking up once in a meeting instead of staying quiet, setting aside one evening for yourself, or finally asking for support inatead of doing it alone. Tiny steps compound faster than the “I’ll just do ALL the things” approach. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

2. Pace yourself

Slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum. It means sneaking in your own little pit stops so you don’t collapse halfway up the hill. Rest isn’t a reward for surviving life; it’s part of winning at it. Even a ten-minute walk, a night offline, or a conversation with a friend who makes you laugh can recharge your brain in ways coffee never could. Leaders who last don’t sprint every day; they manage their energy like a pro — and yes, that includes prioritizing rest as part of the strategy.

3. Check the rearview mirror

It’s easy to get tunnel vision, always staring at what’s missing or what’s next. But growth is like a GPS: you need to glance at where you’ve already been to appreciate how far you’ve come. Take a moment each week to celebrate the wins, no matter how small — the times you said “no” without guilt, the moments you spoke up, the days you didn’t lose your cool. That reflection builds confidence and reminds you that, spoiler alert, you’re not stuck — you’re moving.

4. Hold the vision, focus on the next step

Big visions are wonderful, but they’re also terrifying if you try to carry them all at once. The secret? Keep your eyes on the prize, but your feet on the immediate next step. Ask yourself each morning: “What’s one thing I can do today that actually moves the needle?” Then do it. No overthinking, no mental gymnastics. Focused action beats frantic hustle every time.

5. Measure your Proress

Progress is like a painting. One brush stroke doesn’t look like much, but after weeks and months, suddenly there’s a masterpiece. Each thought you affirm, each boundary you set, each tiny decision you make is one stroke. You might not notice it immediately, but over time, the picture becomes unmistakably yours. Going slow to go fast means trusting that the small pieces add up — and sometimes, that means laughing when the paint smudges.

If you take anything from this, let it be simple: small steps, pace, reflection, focused action, and keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. “Slow” doesn’t mean delayed — it means strategic.

So here’s your challenge: write down the outcome you want in the next few months, pick the first brush stroke you’ll take this week, and actually do it. That’s how you start painting a future that lasts — and yes, maybe with a little style and a lot of flair.

Feeling bold? Share your focus — you could spark inspiration in someone else.

Written by: Grace Alexis

Timestamp: 4:17 pm PDT