Do the Basics Well: The Secret to Real Progress
July 21, 2025 · 2 min read
Success is simple; it is a series of simple actions that create it.
Yet, I’ve seen so many people struggling with the basics. Looking for more without even doing the basics.
To lose weight, you need to move your body and track your intake. Stay in a calorie deficit, and success becomes inevitable over time.
It is often not a problem of what to do; we all know what to do. Often, it is a commitment problem or a discipline problem. People start with excitement but often struggle to continue with what they’ve started.
To help shift this pattern, I often invite my clients to focus on what’s simple, just go back to the basics. I like to joke that it’s not rocket science. Until I actually had a client who was doing rocket science, and I had to retire that line!
When you break an action down into something ridiculously easy, you make progress inevitable, and that’s how momentum begins.
If your goal is to increase your water intake, start with one extra glass a day. A 2-liter (half a gallon) goal might sound good, but it can feel overwhelming and end up keeping you stuck.
Again, small wins build momentum.
Want to network more? Start by reaching out to one person this month.
Trying to build a writing habit? Start by writing one paragraph a day without the pressure to post.
Too many tabs open? Close just three.
Want to read more? Start with 5 minutes a day, not a whole chapter.
Dreaming to stay active? Go for a 10-minute walk. You don’t need an hour at the gym to start moving.
It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
Progress creates the growth you might be craving, and it puts you on a path of positive momentum.
I recall the freedom my client experienced after dedicating 30 minutes a day to addressing her overflowing inbox. Nothing more, nothing less. Just the power of intentional action and commit to progress in one thing daily.
Your turn: What’s one simple thing you could commit to right now that would move you forward?
Commit to it for at least 30 days. Give yourself a full month to build your discipline muscle and experience the results of your consistent action.
Remember, it is not rocket science. You can absolutely do it!
Originally published on LinkedIn.
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