03/02/26
STORY
Last week, a winter storm hit New Jersey.
Nearly 3 feet of snow.
At 7am, my wife and I stepped outside to shovel the driveway.
It felt endless.
Snow everywhere.
It was still falling as we shoveled.
I started at one end and got to work.
An hour in, I looked up.
Barely any progress.
I was tired.
Frustrated.
Defeated.
So much effort…
And it still looked like nothing had changed.
But I kept going.
Then, finally, I saw it.
A small patch of asphalt.
My energy came back.
My focus sharpened.
I found a rhythm.
Not because the work got easier…
But because I could finally see progress.
I realized that this is a metaphor for any difficult challenge we undertake.
If you’re…
Starting a business…
Chasing a promotion…
Improving your health…
In the beginning, it feels like nothing is happening.
No results.
No momentum.
Just effort.
In those moments…
You’re being tested.
You don’t feel naturally motivated until you see progress.
And you don’t see progress unless you keep going.
So if you’re in that phase right now…
Keep shoveling.
Your “first patch of asphalt” is coming, my friend.
OBSERVATION
Research from Harvard Business School, analyzing over 12,000 daily diary entries from 238 employees, found that the single biggest driver of motivation and performance is seeing progress in meaningful work. Acknowledging even small wins significantly boosts energy, engagement, and persistence.
(Amabile & Kramer, “The Power of Small Wins”, Harvard Business Review, 2011)
STRATEGY
This week, be more intentional about looking for the “patches of asphalt”.
Acknowledge the wins, even the small ones.
At the end of each day, celebrate the progress you’re making through journaling or speaking it outloud.
Do your best not to focus so much on the “sheet of snow you still need to shovel”.
Focus on the bit of asphalt that’s giving you undeniable evidence that you’re making progress.
Rooting for you,
Jay (inviting you to look for the asphalt)
Global keynote speaker
Host of the “Unstuck” podcast
A sucker for a warm chocolate chip cookie
