Welcome Home: Why Small Steps Matter More Than Giant Leaps

First published 12 April 2026

Last week I wrote about mission control – the support systems behind every big achievement.

This week, Artemis II has completed its historic mission and landed safely back on Earth, and I’ve been continuing to think about that journey and what it took to get them home.

Because here’s the thing: the launch was spectacular.

The moon orbit was breath-taking – and if you haven’t already, have a look for the photos they captured.

But the safe landing?

That’s the result of days of constant, meticulous work – thousands of tiny course corrections, system checks, and incremental adjustments.

Oh, and apparently, calling IT support back to Earth because your Outlook stopped working. 

Yes, really.

One of the astronauts had to troubleshoot their email from 240,000 miles away.  Even in space, we can’t escape Microsoft deciding to have a moment.

Getting there is impressive.  Getting home safely?  That required patience, precision, trusting the process… and occasionally turning it off and on again.

We’re Obsessed With the Giant Leap

We love the dramatic moment – the launch, the landing, the big reveal.  We set our goals with that same energy: “I’m going to lose two stone!” “I’m starting my business!” “I’m writing a book!”

And then… we expect it to happen like a rocket launch.

One big push and we’re there.

Except that’s not how anything actually works.  Not rocket science (clearly, given the Outlook situation), and certainly not personal transformation. The astronauts didn’t just sit back enjoying the view.  They monitored systems, made micro-adjustments, troubleshot glitches, stayed alert, trusted their training, and probably had to fix their toilet a few too many times….

It wasn’t glamorous. But it’s what got them home.

Your Body Speaks in Small Increments

Taking a look at the Wood element – the energy of growth and new beginnings.  The crucial point to note, here is: wood doesn’t grow in dramatic bursts.  A tree doesn’t shoot up overnight.  It grows slowly, steadily, one ring at a time.

Your meridians respond to consistency, not intensity.  The Spleen meridian, governs our ability to transform and integrate – and so it thrives on regular, sustainable practices, not extreme overhauls that exhaust the system.

From a chakra perspective, your solar plexus – your power centre – builds strength through repeated, committed action. Not through occasional heroic efforts, but with daily small steps that compound over time.

Your energy system is designed for the long game.

This Week’s Mission

Remember those achievements you listed last week?

The ones you worked hard for?

I’d bet good money that none of them happened in one giant leap.  They happened through small, consistent actions that you took even when it felt boring, unglamorous, or like you weren’t making progress.

So this week, I invite you to pick ONE thing from your “still want to achieve” list.

Just one.

Now break it down.  What’s the smallest possible step you could take this week?  Not the dramatic launch – the tiny course correction.  The system check.  The incremental baby step that will move you forward.

Maybe it’s:

• Researching for 15 minutes instead of “writing the whole business plan”
• Walking for 10 minutes instead of “joining a gym”
• Decluttering one drawer instead of “organising the entire house”

Small steps, repeated consistently, will get you further than giant leaps you can’t sustain.

The astronauts are home now.  They completed their mission not through one heroic moment, but through thousands of small, precise actions – monitoring, adjusting, troubleshooting, trusting the process.

That’s what achievement actually looks like.

What small step will you take this week?

Steadily onwards,

Angela.

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Next week: we’re talking about moon shots – the audacious dreams that feel impossible. 

But first, we can work towards mastering the small step.  I’ll be right there with you! 

Now where did I put my notebook with last weeks challenge in it?!?!?