“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~Proverb
Sometimes it can be challenging to operate with complete integrity in business—particularly because bigger and faster can be seductive.
Case in point: I have a strong aversion to many traditional marketing methods, as I find much of it to be psychologically manipulative.
I feel it’s wrong to sell people things by playing to their deepest fears and insecurities, and implying my book or product will be the magic bullet they’ve been waiting for all their lives.
I also feel uncomfortable with the idea of personal branding, since a brand is an idea or image of a product or service, and human beings are neither of those things. We may sell products or offer services, but we are not commodities—even if consumers often buy based on who is selling to them.
But statistically, products and books presented as ultimate solutions, by individuals with polished personas generally sell better.
Now you might not hold the exact same perspective as I do, but you likely have your own set of beliefs and values that inform the decisions you make professionally—and they may occasionally hinder your progress.
When we act in complete integrity, we often end up advancing at a slower pace.
I remember when I was 23, knee-deep in a corrupt multi-level marketing company, oblivious to my team’s unethical practices. Everything changed the day I heard our leader suggest we look for “ignorance on fire”—new recruits who never questioned, but merely plowed straight ahead on the path of most profitability.
Thinking and questioning can slow progress—but maybe slow progress is exactly what we need. Slow progress allows us to adapt as necessary, learn at each step of the journey, and ensure that we’re honoring our ideals and actual desires, instead of pushing ourselves blindly in the pursuit of success.
I realize this idea isn’t universally applicable. When it comes to advancements that save lives, I absolutely support rapid progress. They couldn’t possibly come out with cures for cancer fast enough.
But when it comes to our own personal goals and ambitions, sometimes the most satisfying results come from a slow but steady journey with unwavering commitment to what we believe is right.
Photo by Akuppa
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
[…] of the Day From 17 March 2010: “It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward […]
Hi Lori, nice post.
Integrity at a slow pace is a good thing. Cures for cancer will come from dedicated, compassionate, caring people who value life. Lasting relationships will come from dedicated, compassionate, caring people who value life.
“Ignorance on fire” floods the airwaves, chokes the internet, and preys upon the confused and suffering. The next internet marketing miracle will be tried and abandoned. Self -help gurus console the hearts of many, and then pummel them with unending campaigns of do this or you’ll fail emails. Millionaires will be made, and forgotten.
Others will offer up thoughts and insight, reminding each reader that regardless of where they are in life, they are OK. Sometimes it’s inspiring to not have to read a list of actions that will surely improve my life. The slow, mysterious progress of life moves forward.
Everything in life is a choice. Thank you for choosing to go slowly.
Thank you for this article! You are talking to right where I am at and I thank you for the encouragement. Laura
Eeesh. MLM and fire ignorance. Showing people ‘the plan’. I’ve made that mistake too! Bless you for waking up to your integrity and leaving that behind!
Yes, everyone needs to go at their own pace and mine seems incredibly slow 🙂 But I would rather this than compromise my principles. And the less said about what I think of some marketing methods, the better!!!
I’ve been following your blog for about 2 months now and have enjoyed and agreed with all your posts and thoughts. I particularly liked this one. I feel much the same way. I’ve started my own site and feel like I am so behind in where the guru’s out there say I should be right now. I agree with the benefits of slow progress. Thanks for reassuring me!
Slow progress also allows us to enjoy the journey,which is just as much what life is about then celebrating the destination. When you have one eye so firmly fixed on the goal, you have only one eye left to find the way.
the idea is old, make haste slowly. we are the one’s who gain the most by not increasing the probability of regret, internal suffering, and of maximizing the peace that we can joyfully experience on the journey.
Going slow has been the answer for me, but it took a really long time for me to get there. It seems I spent so much of my life in a hurry, and I have a tendency to want to do everything quickly. As a result, I’m easily discouraged when obstacles pop up. It’s just been in the past few months that I’ve been able to make progress by slowing down and shooting for consistency over huge flashes of inspiration and activity. Much to my surprise, I’ve accomplished far more than with my previous “fits and starts” method. And best of all, I’m enjoying life a whole lot more!
Aryanna
Beautifully written, Cary. Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. =)
Isn’t funny how that happens? I used to put so much pressure on myself because I thought I needed to get somewhere else in order to be happy. Now I realize that being means resisting the urge to push toward somewhere else.
Yes, looking back I cringe at my naivete! It seems so clear in retrospect. Alas, it was a learning experience–and an interesting story to look back on!
You’re most welcome, Nina–and congratulations on your blog! I enjoyed reading your introduction. Happy decorating. =)
Yes, so true. I find that when I push for bigger and faster, I end up missing out on a lot of the journey.
I love how you put that! You’re so right. We can only enjoy our experience if we’re willing to value and be in it at each step along the way.
You’re most welcome, Laura. =)
Haha well it sounds like we’re on the same page then. =)
It makes me laugh when I think back on those days. So young and silly. 🙂
Its funny I found this today because I’ve been thinking this very thing! I revisited one of my favorite books, Mastery. It truly is about staying on the path and learning to enjoy the plateau. Something very few of us understand anymore in this crazy fast paced, instant gratification we call life.
I think I’d enjoy that book. Putting it on my to-read list. =)
Thank you! As an entrepreneur who has learned how to “market” on the job, it is disheartening that so much of the advice out there is about invoking fear and scarcity via sales letters and the like. But I had also worked on clearing away a closet full of what I consider predatory junk mail after my father died. I determined then not to do what they did. There had to be a better way, and I do think it is about making true connection, in listening, and find a way to meet people where they are at rather than drive them to where you want them to be. It’s called community, and I think has a much more enduring and beneficial result for everyone. Voices like yours, talking about sustainable business and relationships are vital. I always remind myself that a thing worth doing is worth doing slowly.
“It’s called community, and I think has a much more enduring and beneficial result for everyone.” <~ I love this. What I love about the idea of community is that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Everyone can meet someone else's needs in some way, and in doing so, also meet their own. It's honest, organic, not forced for the sake of numbers. It's not about creating massive success–it's about creating massive value for each other, and allowing growth to come from that.
yah and sometimes, we go 3 steps forwards and 1 step back… even though we feel like we are not advancing, we are! that’s what i always tell myself in terms of regaining my health, a little bit at a time…
You know, Lori, every time I click on one of your articles, it’s the right one at the right time. Thank you!
Maureen Brown, Trail, BC, Canada
You’re most welcome, Maureen!