People assume small steps don’t matter, so they choose inaction instead. But how much of a difference does that make?
Welcome to Ask Coach Tony!
These are unfiltered field notes from the goal-crushing life: coaching wins, personal breakthroughs, and the failures that taught both me and my clients the most.
All real, all useful, all here to help you move forward.
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Consider this a lighthearted amuse-bouche for your brain before we get serious. Sure, it might be groan-worthy—but hey, at least you’re getting your money’s worth, right? 😆
What did one Doritos farmer say to the other Doritos farmer?
Hey… that's a Cool Ranch!
You’re Already “Ready” Enough
Happy November…
The weather has turned, the holidays are on the horizon, and New Year’s is already whispering that familiar pressure:
“Shouldn’t you be further along by now?”
This is the season of big reflections and even bigger resolutions. It’s the time of year when we start eyeing 2026 and wondering what needs to change. That means we are about to start telling ourselves we just need a little more time. A little more prep. Just one more thing.
But here’s the truth that nobody talks about:
“I don’t think I’m ready yet” is the fastest way to stay stuck.
This month on the Operation Melt blog, we’re flipping that script.
Because one mindset has the power to unlock everything you’ve been putting off:
Don’t wait to be ready. Figure it out as you go.
Readiness is a myth.
Momentum is what actually creates clarity.
And taking one messy step today will get you further than six more months of waiting for the perfect plan.
Let’s stop trying to predict every move.
Let’s stop obsessing over being fully prepared.
Let’s start. Let’s adapt. Let’s learn by doing.
Starfish & Elephants: I’m Calling BS on a Popular Motivational Speaker
A family once took a vacation by the ocean. One morning, they walked along the beach, where thousands of starfish had washed ashore after a storm.
The family’s young daughter kept picking up starfish and gently returning them to the sea.
People watched and laughed at her efforts. An older man approached and said, “Why are you doing this? You can’t possibly save them all. It won’t make a difference.”
The girl paused, then picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the water. She looked at the man and said, “It made a difference to that one.”
Taking a Bite of the Elephant
The starfish story is a reminder that small steps matter, even if just to the one starfish the little girl was able to save.
I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you think about trying to make a difference. There are many big, complex problems out there that seem insurmountable for a single person. When facing these problems, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, which leads to inaction.
People assume small steps don’t matter, so they choose inaction instead. But how much of a difference does that make?
You can make a difference.
You can do hard things.
You just have to remember how to eat an elephant.
“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
The elephant proverb is simple: Don’t quit before you start. Break it down. Tackle it one bite at a time.
This strategy (geekily called “work breakdown”) is the basis of project management.
It’s also a must-have mindset to challenge overwhelm so you can project manage your life and goals.
Tiny Imperfect Action
A certain celebrity coach and motivational speaker (hint: he shares my first name) stresses the importance of “massive imperfect action” once you have committed to a goal.
Massive action says: once you commit, take a big step to build momentum. That momentum carries you forward.
Massive action isn’t wrong, and it isn’t bad.
It is often a great approach.
But not always.
When your goal feels elephant-sized, even thinking about ‘massive’ action can overwhelm you. And overwhelm leads to inaction.
Thinking you need massive action often leads to overwhelmed inaction. And that’s how goals die of loneliness.
There’s a better option: tiny imperfect action.
Toss one starfish back into the water.
Take that first nibble of the elephant.
In other words, a small step towards your goal today, even if it is the wrong step, is better than a “massive” step tomorrow. Plus, you don’t have to muster a ton of courage to conquer one tiny action… it’s too tiny to be scary, right?
You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready” to take one tiny step.
That first tiny step leads to another and another, building momentum like a goal-crushing snowball headed straight for the finish line.
Try this: one small act of kindness for one person. See what shifts.
Your First Tiny Action: Click One Button
Are you looking for a tiny, imperfect action that moves you closer to the life of your dreams?
Maybe it is as easy as clicking a button.
That is why I created Project Manage Your Life (PMYL) Starter Kit. It’s a DIY bundle with the same tools I use with clients, plus a guided mini course to help you start eating your elephant one bite at a time.
Clicking the button might be the smallest step you take today, but it could be the most important.
Not quite ready for the full kit? You can still grab the free PMYL eBook and start learning the framework today.
💥 Crushing your goals doesn’t require magic. It just requires action. Dream big, but don’t let the size of the dream keep you from starting small. Tiny, imperfect steps are how every big goal begins. And they’ll carry you to the finish line.
✨ I believe in you. Let me help YOU believe in you!
Meet Coach Tony
Tony Weaver is a master life coach, technologist, consultant, writer, and founder of Operation Melt.
He helps project managers and other left-brained high-achievers pursue their biggest goals.
Through free resources, personalized coaching, and his proven Project Manage Your Life system, Tony empowers clients to move their dreams from “someday” to success… one step at a time.
Learn more about Project Manage Your Life, the system my clients and I use to crush our goals, at OperationMelt.com/PMYL/
Meet Coach Tony