From Traction to Momentum: The Small Steps That Matter
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out" – Robert Collier
January is filled with talk of big goals, new beginnings, and fresh starts. But in academic pharmacy, real progress doesn’t come from dramatic reinvention. It comes from small steps done well, consistently, and intentionally.
This year, think beyond resolutions or goals that get placed on your shelf. Think in terms of momentum.
Here are three micro-actions that help pharmacy faculty and leaders build meaningful forward movement without overwhelm.
1. Make One High-Value Decision Each Week
Key Idea: Your biggest gains this year won’t likely come from doing more. They’ll come from making better choices. Strategic decision-making is a leadership skill, not a luxury.
Try This:
Each week, ask: What one decision will move my career, program, or project forward?
Prioritize decisions that create clarity, capacity, or collaboration.
Say “no” (or “not now”) to one low-value task each week.
Example:
A faculty member decides to discontinue a committee assignment that no longer adds value. That single decision frees 3-4 hours weekly for scholarship and student mentorship.
2. Strengthen One Relationship That Matters
Key Idea: Momentum is relational, social. Collaboration, mentorship, and professional relationships create leverage for teaching, research, and leadership success. Find ways weekly to strengthen a relationship.
Try This:
Reach out to one colleague each month for a “check-in coffee chat.” Place it on your calendar now so it doesn’t slip your mind.
Re-engage a lapsed mentor or peer collaborator. No time like the new year to reconnect.
Identify one new partnership opportunity for the semester.
Example:
A faculty member reconnects with a colleague and begins to discuss each others career journeys. This phone call led to co-developing an interprofessional project that ultimately leads to a conference presentation.
3. Start a 15-Minute Progress Practice
Key Idea: You don’t need large blocks of time to make progress. You need consistency. Fifteen minutes per day compounds into meaningful results. Go now and insert blocks of time on your calendar (and don’t sacrifice them for other things).
Try This:
Spend 15 minutes updating a rubric, drafting a paragraph, reviewing literature, or organizing an idea.
Use a timer to maintain focus- no multitasking.
Create a Word file and update it regularly with your “wins”. This reinforces your momentum while also tracking notable items for updating your CV.
Example:
An assessment coordinator uses 15-minutes daily practice to refine learning outcomes. By March, they have redesigned the entire assessment map without ever scheduling a retreat.
Final Thoughts:
Momentum isn’t magic. It is simple math: small steps x consistency = transformation. If you start in January with just a few micro-actions that matter, you won’t just move forward, you’ll accelerate.
Next Steps to Achieve Momentum:
Looking to bring clarity, direction, and momentum to your academic pharmacy journey? EduLead-Rx offers individualized leadership coaching and consulting to faculty and leaders to translate small steps into next-level outcomes. Let’s build your momentum for a high-impact year.
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