The key to staying on track

The advice that many tend to ignore in the pursuit of their goal is "starting small". People tend to be highly motivated when they start on the journey towards their goals. They have a big vision. This leads them to play big in the initial stages. People go hard. They dip their feet in multiple things, dedicate long hours & try to multitask. People want to utilize their maximum potential. Some people tend to "go big" to appease the outside world. They want significant results fast.

People are usually able to maintain this energy at the beginning. Eventually, most people experience burnout. They also experience discouragement when the results do not come in quickly, which is worse. They get demotivated by the fact that they do not have anything to show the outside world. They begin to slack off and procrastinate. Their goals may begin to overwhelm them. Discouraged people tend to also give up on their goals. And if sufficiently demotivated might never embark on the journey again. 

Starting big can also prove to be expensive if big investments are made at the start and it ultimately does not come through. Starting big combined with perfectionism can be even more damaging. It can lead to perfection paralysis wherein a person sets a very high standard for the results that he expects. This can also be demotivating in the face of failure and can halt progress. People tend to lose track of the forest by focusing on the trees.

The reality is that the journey towards achieving goals is going to be a long one. It needs patience & perseverance. People need to realize that everything big today started small. Breaking down your goals into smaller chunks is very important. Dedicating your time and resources in a sustainable way is crucial. Taking small steps every single day will be fruitful & will eventually take the person towards the finish line. 

In all honesty, you are never really "playing it small" when you do something that moves you forward in life. Many people do not make it to the end of their vision because they lack patience. It is not wrong to have a big vision. But think big and start small. Take baby steps. There are many tips & tricks that one can follow to improve their life and chance of success. But advice alone cannot suffice. Ambition, health, productivity, work ethic, consistency & discipline are also important.