The Path Reveals Itself When You Start Walking
Maybe you’re feeling stuck right now.
Not because you lack ideas. You probably have plenty of those.
You’re stuck because you can’t see the whole path.
You know where you are (Point A). And you have some vision of where you want to be (Point Z).
But the middle? That’s a fog.
So you wait. You plan. You try to map it all out before you move.
Here’s what changed everything for me:
You don’t need to see Z from A. You just need to see B.
Fall 2023, I had a walking meeting with James Clear, who the wrote world-wide bestseller, Atomic Habits, and has built a platform that’s evolved significantly over the years.
I knew I wanted to leave my corporate job and scale the impact of my work. But I wasn’t clear on the direction or timing. I couldn’t see the whole path. So I wasn’t moving.
I asked him about his journey from blogger to where he is now.
He said: “Too many people think A to Z. In reality, it’s A→B→Z. Focus on the next step. Take it. The one after that will appear.”
That was the permission I didn’t know I needed.
My B was simple: Leave the corporate job. Start building.
I thought my Z was keynote speaking. 50-75 stages a year. Inspiring thousands.
But once I got to B, C revealed itself: I couldn’t scale impact the way I wanted. I needed deeper work, not sugar-high inspiration.
So C became: Pivot to trusted advisor relationships. Real transformation. Create the space for people to learn, grow and connect.
Which led to small group cohorts. Then, infrastructure partners. Then behavior change platforms. Then the PeopleBest partnership, deep assessment work integrated with the With Intention methodology.
None of that was visible from A.
Here’s what I notice when people get stuck:
They want certainty before they move.
But growth requires moving before you have certainty.
They think not seeing the path means there isn’t one. But the path only appears by walking.
They’re waiting for permission or proof. But proof comes after the step, not before.
A coaching client example:
Kevin Jackson runs EXP Journeys. A couple years ago, he was doing 100+ guide days a year. Business growing. But he was drowning.
We didn’t try to map out Z. We identified B: Get clear on your vision and identity.
He took that step. Then C appeared: Build systems to trust your team. Then D: Reduce guide days systematically.
Last year? Kevin did about 25 guide days. EXP Journeys won Condé Nast awards. Received PE investment. Thriving business. Thriving family.
He couldn’t see that from A. He could only see B. And B was enough.
Here’s where I am right now:
Cohort 3.0 of the With Intention Leadership Experience kicks off in a couple weeks. 10 leaders. 12 weeks.
I can’t see Z from here.
But I can see B: Create the container. Serve these leaders deeply.
And that’s enough. I know the right people will be in these rooms at the right time.
So here’s what I’m wondering:
What’s your A right now? What’s your B?
Not your Z. Not your final destination. Just the very next step.
Maybe write it down. Make it simple. Make it doable.
Then see what happens when you take it.
Because once you do, C will appear. Then D. Then E.
And you might look back and realize you’ve walked further than you thought possible.
Not because you saw Z from A.
But because you were willing to take the step to B.
The path is there. You just can’t see it until you start walking.
The Possibilities Await…
(Source: Ash Lamb)
Thanks for reading…have a great weekend!
Jon
P.S. I mentioned Cohort 3.0 above. It kicks off in a couple weeks…10 leaders, 12 weeks of deep work.
If you’re in a season where you know something needs to shift but you’re not quite sure what your next step is, this might help you find your B.
A couple of voices from past cohorts:
“I walked away with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose, feeling more grounded in my faith, more intentional with my time, and more aligned with the example I want to set for my family and those I serve.” — Jon S.
“Jon’s approach creates a rare balance of rigor, reflection, and real, vulnerable growth.” — Shannon L.
If you’re curious, just reply to this email. Happy to talk through whether it might be a fit.