From Setbacks to Success: How Small Steps Lead to Lasting Change
Learn how setbacks become the foundation for meaningful progress.
As the political landscape shifts and changes unfold around us, it can feel like the progress we've made is slipping away, with each positive step seemingly losing ground.
Change doesn’t happen in one giant leap, though. It’s built through small, intentional steps—sometimes taken in the face of setbacks. The Montgomery Bus Boycott offers a powerful example of how one small action can spark a movement that leads to monumental change. Even more striking, it shows how the smallest steps, when taken consistently and with community support, can create ripples that transform society.
In the summer of 1955, Rosa Parks attended a workshop at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. The school was a hub for civil rights training, teaching methods of nonviolent resistance and how to organize for social change. It’s crucial to note that Parks’ act of defiance—refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus—was not a spontaneous act of rebellion. Instead, it was the culmination of years of groundwork laid by organizations like the Highlander Folk School and a series of small steps leading to greater community mobilization.
The Key Events That Sparked Change:
Summer 1955 – Rosa Parks, through her participation at the Highlander Folk School, gains crucial knowledge on organizing and nonviolent resistance. The work being done there prepared her for the moment when she would take a stand.
December 1, 1955 – Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparks outrage and sets the stage for a collective movement.
December 5, 1955 – The Montgomery Bus Boycott officially begins. The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is formed. The boycott is a direct response to the injustice of segregated seating on public buses.
January 30, 1956 – Martin Luther King Jr.'s home is bombed, yet he urges the community to remain committed to nonviolence. The incident fuels the resolve of the movement.
February 1, 1956 – A legal challenge, Browder v. Gayle, is filed to contest bus segregation in federal court. The boycott gains strength, as the community unites in resistance.
June 5, 1956 – A federal district court rules in Browder v. Gayle that segregated seating on buses is unconstitutional.
November 13, 1956 – The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the ruling, solidifying that bus segregation is illegal.
December 20, 1956 – The Montgomery buses officially desegregate after 381 days of sustained boycott and struggle.
The boycott was not just about one woman refusing to give up her seat; it was about months of careful planning, vision, and sacrifice by a whole community that saw how their collective action could change the course of history. It took small, consistent steps—some visible, some behind the scenes—and a commitment to keep going even when setbacks occurred.
In many ways, this resonates with my own journey toward financial freedom. A few years ago, I started paying myself $5 a day. It may seem like a small amount—certainly not a magic solution—but it was a powerful first step. Five dollars a day, every day, adds up. At first, the growth felt slow, almost invisible. But as I continued, I saw that the small steps I took eventually compounded into something larger. After a year, that small investment grew to $1,820. It wasn’t a dramatic transformation overnight, but it was a step in the right direction.
Like the bus boycott, my financial journey has had setbacks. There have been emergencies, times when I had to dip into savings, and instances when unexpected costs disrupted my momentum. But the key is in keeping the vision alive. Progress isn’t always linear. Setbacks are a natural part of any journey. They don't mean failure—they’re simply part of the process of moving toward a larger goal.
The lesson in both the boycott and my own financial journey is this: the path to meaningful change is not always smooth. But if we continue taking steps forward, even when we encounter obstacles, we can move toward our vision. Our dreams—whether they’re financial, social, or personal—are built piece by piece, decision by decision, step by step.
This is a lesson that extends beyond personal finances. It's a truth we see in the fight for social justice. The Civil Rights Movement, which began with the bus boycott, was built on many small, but incredibly powerful, actions. Leaders like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and countless others understood that big changes come from the persistent, unified actions of many people, each doing their part. They didn’t let setbacks stop them; they learned from them and kept moving forward.
Investing in Small Steps for Big Change
Whether it’s financial freedom or social transformation, the work is the same: start with a vision, take small steps, and keep going even when the road gets tough. Change takes time. But it also takes intention. When you invest in the small steps—whether that’s setting aside $5 a day or joining a community that supports your vision—your dreams begin to take shape.
For those who are ready to begin, I’ll soon be releasing my programs like Happy Money Club, Prosper, and monthly workshops are designed to help you take those small, empowering steps. Just as the Montgomery community stood together to create change, we too can support one another in the journey toward financial freedom and prosperity.
Even if you're not yet ready to join, the first step is recognizing that your vision is worth pursuing. Start small, invest in your dreams, and trust that every step you take today will lead you closer to the future you want to create. Like the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, your small steps will not be in vain. Together, step by step, we can create a world of greater possibility, hope, and freedom.
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What small step are you taking today towards your vision? Let me know in the comments!
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Great article Stef! I appreciate having you and others in my life who help me be accountable in moving forward, even through some pretty severe setbacks. Thanks for your encouragement!