The Journey of 100 Steps

This trail sign stopped me in my tracks:

“More than 100 stairs ahead… Proceed at your own risk.”

What a perfect metaphor for any meaningful journey, whether you're launching a business, scaling a company, reigniting your career, or starting a new fitness goal.

Step 1 isn’t the journey. It’s just the doorway.

We often romanticize the first step: the spark of a new idea, the moment of decision, the surge of motivation. But the truth is:

The real journey doesn’t start with 1 step. It starts with 100.

And like this beach trail in San Diego, the path ahead is rarely smooth. It’s steep, sandy, and unpredictable. There’s salt in the air, resistance in your legs, and moments where you'll wonder why you started at all. As you stand at the base of that next set of stairs, hill, or elevation. You have to take a deep breath and choose to go up.

So, what can you expect as you set out in business, career advancement, or your personal journey?

Obstacles

The terrain will shift. Plans will get messy. You may need to reroute. Have a plan and work that plan, but be prepared to pivot. Understand that you’ll slide back at times, that the ground beneath you won’t always be solid.

Fatigue

Some days, the work will feel heavy. You’ll question your pace and progress. You’ll miss the repetition of the past and the ease of staying with the status quo. Any change worth pursuing requires hard work. If someone tells you it was easy, they weren’t being honest.

Beauty

There will be views worth climbing for. Milestones to celebrate. Lessons worth learning. But your first client, your next promotion, your first ten pounds, that’s only the beginning. Don’t become complacent. Success at anything requires hard work and consistency. Keep going. There’s another vista or sunset yet to see.

Surprise Twists

Unexpected opportunities, surprising detours, and meaningful connections will pop up when you least expect them.

Make your plan for success, and your plan for obstacles. Would you go on a road trip without a spare tire? A first aid kit? Water?

Map out your route

Know where you're going, but be flexible with how you get there.

Build a support team

Surround yourself with people who challenge and cheer you on. A team, coach, mentor, or community—honest people who will drive you forward and be there to laugh (or cry) when you stumble.

Pack your resilience

There will be sandy surfaces and uneven steps. Expect setbacks. Plan for growth. Don’t hit the trail without the right footwear.

Keep moving

Not every step will be graceful, but forward motion always beats perfection.

What’s your trail?

Maybe it’s a fresh business launch.

Perhaps it’s restructuring your team or revamping your company strategy.

Maybe it’s committing to your health, your purpose, or your leadership.

Whatever it is, you don’t need just a great first step.

You need the grit, the plan, and the mindset for 100 of them.

And you’ve got this.