Many entrepreneurs believe it’s smart to start small and gradually work their way up. They take small wins to “play it safe” and generate cash flow.
I used to think the same way. I believed it was smart to take quick, easy money first before focusing on bigger opportunities.
But at some point, I realized:
Small wins are often what keep you from achieving real breakthroughs.
If you keep chasing small wins, you burn time, energy, and focus – and block yourself from reaching truly big successes.
How Small Wins Prevent You from Thinking Bigger
There are two types of entrepreneurs:
The first group thinks short-term:
They take small jobs just to "bring in cash."
They get distracted by short-term profits.
They optimize for immediate revenue instead of building long-term systems.
The second group thinks long-term:
They invest time and energy into truly scalable models.
They say "No" to small, short-term wins when they don’t serve their bigger vision.
They understand that real growth means focusing on the right projects, not just any project.
I spent years in the first group—until I realized I was holding myself back.
My Biggest Lesson: Small Profits Can Be Worse Than No Profits
There’s nothing more dangerous than a business that is just "getting by."
Because as long as you're making just enough, you never feel the urgency to truly break through.
I’ve personally experienced this:
I sold solar panels at low margins just to generate revenue. The result? A lot of work, little return.
I took on construction projects that only helped with short-term cash flow. Instead of building something sustainable, I was constantly stuck in operations.
I accepted jobs where the only negotiation point was, "Do this for a lower price, and we’ll have more work for you in the future."
That made me ask:
What is a fair price? Fair for the customer—or fair for me? Or should it be fair for both of us?
Because why should I accept a job today below my price level, just to get more jobs below my price level in the future?
That makes no sense.
I learned the hard way: There is no point in generating revenue if there are no real profits.
I’d rather have high profits and low revenue than high revenue with no profit.
The Hard Truth: If You Settle for Small Wins, You’ll Never Win Big
At some point, I created a rule for myself:
If a project or job doesn’t move me toward my long-term vision, I don’t take it—no matter how tempting the quick money is.
I say "No" to projects that only keep me busy.
I say "No" to jobs that pay well but don’t help me grow.
I say "Yes" to opportunities that push me forward—even if they take longer to pay off.
At first, this was incredibly difficult. But over time, I realized:
The only way to achieve truly big success is to consistently resist the trap of small wins.
How to Break Free from Small Wins and Start Winning Big
If you feel like you’re constantly busy but not really moving forward, ask yourself:
Does what I’m working on right now actually move me toward my long-term goal?
Is this an investment in my future—or just a short-term win?
If I keep working like this, where will I be in five years?
Every successful entrepreneur I know has, at some point, made a tough decision:
They stopped settling for small wins and had the courage to go after the big ones.
What’s Your Experience?
Have you ever caught yourself settling for small wins instead of chasing bigger success?
When have you consciously said "No" to short-term money in order to win big in the long run?
Let’s talk about it.
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