A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
No matter how grand the goal, it must start with the first step, emphasizing the importance of initiation and sustained action.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
A mantra against procrastination. The bigger the goal, the more intimidating it is; reminding yourself to "take the first step" is half the battle.
Anchor fast decisions
From Chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching: "A tree that fills an arm's span grows from a tiny sprout; a nine-story terrace rises from a pile of earth; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The mechanism is: grand goals are composed of stackable small steps; the cost of initiation is far lower than imagined; action itself generates momentum and feedback, reducing subsequent psychological resistance.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%83%E9%87%8C%E4%B9%8B%E8%A1%8C%E5%A7%8B%E4%BA%8E%E8%B6%B3%E4%B8%8Bverified
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