It’s Not About the Shoes You Wear,
But the Steps You Take
Once upon a time, there was a skilled craftsman who owned the finest set of tools. They were polished, state-of-the-art, and admired by everyone in the village. Yet, his workshop sat empty, and his projects lay unfinished. Meanwhile, a humble apprentice, with just a worn-out hammer and a few basic nails, built houses that stood tall and strong.
It’s easy to think that having the right resources guarantees success. But true progress comes from relentless hard work and taking continuous steps forward. In entrepreneurship—and in life—it’s not the brand or kind of shoes you’re wearing that matters, but the distance you’re willing to walk in them.
Here is my 1-1-1 Breakdown on taking the right steps and not focusing on the shoes:
Progress is rarely easy. There will be setbacks, fatigue, and moments when quitting feels tempting. But remember, every step forward, even when you’re tired or uninspired, adds up over time. Reflect on the importance of persistence: How do you keep yourself moving forward when the journey gets tough?
→ Remember: Hard work and consistent effort beat talent when talent stops working hard.
To keep moving forward, establish one non-negotiable task you will complete daily, no matter what. It could be spending 30 minutes on business strategy, making five sales calls, or dedicating time to a personal project. This practice builds discipline and ensures you’re always making progress.
→ Do this now: Decide on one daily task that will move you closer to your goals and commit to it for the next week. Track your consistency and celebrate the effort, not just the outcomes.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
— Pele
→ Takeaway: Consistent hard work pays off in the long run. Keep putting in the effort, even when it feels monotonous because that’s where real growth happens.
It’s not the quality of your shoes that matters; it’s the ground you cover and the effort you put in day after day. Keep moving forward, even when the steps feel small or difficult. Hard work, resilience, and dedication will eventually take you to places you never imagined.
Thanks for reading.
Hey! I’m Alkesh Agarwal.
An entrepreneur, investor & problem solver who loves taking big ideas and turning them into real businesses.
After years of building businesses, I’m here to help you do the same by sharing practical, no-nonsense learnings.
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