Spanish Proverb of the Day: 'Poco a poco se anda lejos' – 'Little by little, one goes far' - A timeless lesson on progress

Spanish Proverb of the Day: Sometimes, it is the most simple of sayings that offer the best advice. A Spanish proverb, "Poco a poco se anda lejos", translates into "Little by little, one goes far". In essence, the proverb conveys the notion that any real progress does not happen immediately but needs time and effort made in baby steps, despite the distance of the destination. The saying is encouraging people to be patient, but it is not asking for stopping and doing nothing. Whether one is trying to learn something new, save money, become healthier, build a career, or achieve any other goal, there will usually be a time when progress seems very slow. However, every step one takes gets him or her closer to the desired destination. In today’s world that admires instant results, such a saying can be particularly helpful.

SPANISH PROVERB OF THE DAY

"Poco a poco se anda lejos"

WHAT THIS SPANISH PROVERB MEANS

"Poco a poco se anda lejos" implies that gradual progress can get you much further than rushing and trying to do everything at once. The proverb stresses patience, persistence and continuity. Take an example of learning a language. Fifteen minutes of studying per day won’t make a huge difference each day; however, in several months' time, those fifteen minutes can help make progress. This proverb can be applied to pretty much any objective that requires persistence and hard work. Splitting a big objective into small steps can make the whole process easier.

WHY THIS SPANISH PROVERB STILL MATTERS

This message is especially applicable at this point in time when individuals are constantly bombarded with examples of instant success. Social media can make individuals believe that great achievements come instantly while leaving out the years of work that went into them. This Spanish proverb emphasizes the idea that even slow movement is movement. An individual does not necessarily have to achieve something spectacular every single day. It is only by being consistent and keeping on taking steps, however small, that an individual can achieve great things. No matter what area of life an individual wants to succeed in, whether personally, professionally, or financially, this message stays true.