Slow And Steady Does Not Always Win The Race

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.” But something about that saying never quite felt right to me. After thinking it through, I realized why.

Real success comes from a mix of two things: big, bold ideas and steady, continuous improvement.

It’s not just about going slow. It’s about having a plan and moving in the right direction.

Think of how Apple releases new iPhones.

Some years, they make small changes that you barely notice. But after a while, all those little updates really add up!

Then, there are years when they come out with something totally new and exciting. A big leap forward.

It’s the same when it comes to business development or personal growth.

You need both: small improvements and big, strategic moves. So, how can you apply this to your life and your work? Let’s dive in.

The Better Way to Think About “Slow and Steady”

There’s a better way to think about “slow and steady wins the race.” It’s not just about going slow. It’s about going slow with a strategy.

Slow and steady is helpful, but only if you’re heading in the right direction.

Without a vision or clear goal, slow progress might just be wasting time.

On the flip side, even the best strategies don’t mean much if they aren’t put into action or improved over time.

That’s why both are important. Big ideas and steady progress.

Seven Key Questions to Help You Grow

To help you get started, here are seven key questions to ask yourself about your business development systems:

1.Do you know which organizations you should focus on? Do you have a clear idea of which organizations and people are most important for your growth? Write down your top relationships. This provides direction.

2. Do you have systems to build new relationships? Do you have a process for creating connections with people at higher levels in those organizations? This creates attraction.

3. Do you offer valuable insights? Are there things you can share that will grab people’s attention? Show them why they should spend more time with you. This builds momentum.

4. Do you create curiosity about what you do? Do you have ways to spark curiosity and make people want to know more about your services? This accelerates momentum.

5. Do you have habits that keep you focused on business development? Do you follow through on conversations all the way until contracts are signed? This keeps you going.

6. Do you have systems that help you scale? Do you have tools or team members that make it easy to keep growing while still giving great service? This provides leverage.

7. Is your client experience enjoyable? Are your clients excited to work with you and eager to take the next step? This creates raving fans.

Take Action

Look at the questions above and see if there’s one area where you need a big jump forward.

Pick one thing to focus on and create a plan to improve it.

For the other areas, pick one habit to work on consistently. You don’t need to tackle everything at once. One big idea and one steady habit are enough to make real progress.

Remember, it’s not just slow and steady that wins the race. It’s slow and strategic. With the right direction and the right habits, you’ll move forward faster than you think.