Get the W: The Transformational Power of Small Wins

Every great accomplishment starts small. A flicker of an idea. A flash of inspiration. A line scrawled in a notebook. From there, big things can happen—one step at a time, one small win at a time.

These small wins are key to personal and professional success, say researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer.

“When we think about progress, we often imagine how good it feels to achieve a long-term goal or experience a major breakthrough. These big wins are great—but they are relatively rare. The good news is that even small wins can boost inner work life tremendously,” they write in the Harvard Business Review (HBR).¹

Amabile and Kramer call this the “progress principle,” and it’s the focus of their book, The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work.

“Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform.”¹

Harnessing the power of small wins can help you get the big win, or get the W.  Small wins are important because they:¹

• Build momentum: Small wins create a strong sense of progress, fostering a “positive feedback loop” that propels projects forward.
• Boost morale: Achieving smaller, attainable goals builds confidence and morale, helping to instill a can-do attitude.
• Enhance focus: Breaking a larger goal into smaller tasks helps you stay focused on immediate priorities, reducing the risk of feeling overwhelmed.
• Foster innovation: Celebrating small successes encourages creative problem-solving and risk-taking.
• Strengthen accountability: Tracking and recognizing small achievements helps keep projects on track and aligned with overall goals.

Small Wins Examples 

How can you apply the progress principle to your life, to experience the power of small wins? Here are some ideas: 

• At work: Amabile and Kramer’s research found that employees characterized a good day as one where they or their team made progress. Managers play a critical role in helping teams to achieve small wins: “The key is to learn which actions support progress—such as setting clear goals, providing sufficient time and resources, and offering recognition—and which have the opposite effect,” Amabile and Kramer write._¹

  For example, a manager might break a large project into smaller, achievable parts, such as completing a single task or meeting a weekly target. When the team accomplishes these tasks, celebrating the success—acknowledging it in a meeting or sending a quick thank-you email—can boost morale and motivation, paving the way for continued progress.

• At home: Do you want to declutter your kitchen or garage? Break the project into smaller, manageable tasks. Start with something simple, like organizing a single cabinet or one corner of the garage. Even though it’s a small step, celebrate your success. Then, set your next goal with a clear time frame to tackle it. Remember, the power of small wins comes from steady, consistent progress.

  Try applying this approach to other personal goals, like learning to meditate or increasing the intensity of your workout routine. Spend just three minutes practicing mindfulness and build your meditation practice from there. At the gym, set a beginner-friendly goal that matches your fitness level. These small wins will help you stay motivated as you work steadily toward bigger achievements.

• In education: Applying the progress principle―and getting the W―can make your higher education goals more attainable. If you’re an adult balancing a career and personal commitments, earning a college degree might seem out of reach. So, roll up your sleeves and as we’ve learned, start small: Dedicate just 30 minutes at first to researching accredited universities and online programs. Celebrate that initial step as a win, then move on to the next: Call an Enrollment Specialist or review financial aid options. Each action builds momentum, leading to milestones like enrolling in your bachelor’s degree program, completing your first assignment, and eventually reaching your ultimate goal–graduation day.

Get the W With Walden University

The journey of small wins leading to big achievements—whether it’s earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate—begins with selecting the right online university.  

Walden University provides the flexibility working professionals need to earn a degree while balancing their careers and personal lives. With just a laptop and internet access, you can complete your courses on your schedule, celebrating small wins with every assignment you complete.

Looking to start your journey toward earning a bachelor’s degree? Discover undergraduate programs in fields like business and management, education, and social work and human services. If you’re ready to take the next step with a master’s degree, explore online programs in fields like nursing, information technology, and psychology. If you’re aiming for the pinnacle of academic achievement, you’ll find that Walden’s online doctoral programs provide the flexibility to pursue advanced research at your own pace.

You can also get the W with Walden’s online certificate programs. These focused programs allow you to expand your expertise without the long-term commitment of an online degree program. Every step, from enrolling in your first course to finishing your final project, is a small victory that moves you closer to achieving your goals. Walden also offers dozens of flexible, non-degree online courses through its School of Lifelong Learning.

Walden’s student support services are designed to help you experience the transformational power of small wins. From application and financial aid guidance to faculty and academic advising support, you’ll have access to resources that can help you stay on track, build confidence, and advance toward your academic goals.

Begin your education journey today and celebrate each small win on your path to graduation. Small wins lead to big success, and Walden is here to guide you every step of the way.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

¹Source: hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.