This past Sunday, I laced up my running shoes for my first long run since completing the San Francisco marathon last July. As I set out, my legs felt like they were made of bricks, each step heavier than the last. The thought of turning back was tempting, but luckily for me, the insights from Nike’s running coach on progress — defined as the gradual, step-by-step movement towards a goal — resonated with me. It reminded me that not all runs have to be record-breaking; sometimes, it’s about moving forward, one step at a time.
This realization struck a chord with me, especially in the context of financial planning. It’s easy to fall into an all-or-nothing mindset, yet it’s the small, consistent steps that truly define progress. Embracing every financial decision, no matter how small, is essential. Saving a little more, educating ourselves about investments, and effective budgeting are all part of this journey. Recognizing that perfection is unachievable and celebrating the small victories are key to making substantial progress over time. Every effort, no matter how minor, is a pivotal step towards our financial aspirations.
Just as this run wasn’t my best, it certainly won’t be my last, and importantly, it put me back on my path. Similarly, in our financial lives, not every step will feel significant, but each one keeps us moving towards our goals. This run was a gentle reminder that progress, in any form, is still progress—both on the track and in our evolving financial lives.
