Let’s be real—waiting for the “perfect” moment is just a fancy way of saying, “I’m not going to start at all.” If you’re waiting for everything to line up perfectly before taking action, you’ll be waiting forever.
Instead, start small. Pick a project, something manageable, and apply what you learn from it. Small wins build momentum, and before you know it, they start turning into big ones.
Download: Small Project Template
Don’t Overthink It: Just Start
The best way to grow? Do something today. Pick a small project you can knock out quickly—something that gives you the opportunity to stretch yourself but isn’t so big that it feels overwhelming.
It’s not about hitting a home run right away. It’s about getting some runs on the board and building confidence.
Momentum matters. Once you get that first small win, you’ll find that the next one is easier. The more you win, the more you’ll want to keep going.
Practical Projects for Professionals
So, what’s a good project to start with? Here are a few ideas tailored to professionals looking to advance their careers and sharpen their leadership skills:
- Organize a Team Meeting with a Purpose If you’re always sitting in meetings that feel like a waste of time, change that. Take the lead on organizing a focused, results-driven meeting. Create an agenda, set clear goals, and lead the discussion. People will notice when you start making meetings productive, and it’ll show you’re taking initiative.
- Volunteer for a Cross-Department Project Want to expand your skills? Volunteer for a project that involves working with another department. This gives you exposure to different parts of the business, helps you build relationships across the company, and demonstrates that you’re a team player who’s willing to step out of your comfort zone.
- Mentor a Junior Employee Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. Start by mentoring someone newer or less experienced. Offer to help them navigate a project, give feedback on their work, or just be a sounding board for their ideas. It’s a small project, but the leadership skills you’ll develop from mentoring are huge.
- Identify and Fix a Process Every organization has a process that’s clunky or outdated. Find one and fix it. Whether it’s streamlining how reports are delivered or improving communication between teams, taking the initiative to improve something will show leadership and problem-solving skills.
Why Small Wins Matter
Here’s why starting small is so powerful: small wins build momentum. Each project you complete adds to your skillset, boosts your confidence, and shows others what you’re capable of. It’s like laying the first bricks of a building. You can’t create something huge overnight, but you can start building today.
And once you’ve built a foundation of small wins, you’ll find that tackling bigger projects becomes less daunting. That’s how careers are made—by stacking small wins into a reputation for getting things done.
So don’t wait for the perfect moment. Pick something small, dive in, and use it as a stepping stone to bigger success. Momentum is everything. Start small today, and watch where it takes you tomorrow.
