The ‘tiny’ career growth hack you need to accelerate your progression

If you asked me how to get ahead at work years ago…

I would have given you what I thought was the right answer:

“Make a solid plan. Get all your ducks in a row. Make sure you’re fully prepared before you take action.”

But that advice kept me stuck for way too long.

I waited until I felt ready to ask for bigger projects.

I hesitated before speaking up in meetings.

I over-researched instead of just doing the thing.

Can you relate?

But here’s the truth no one tells you:

You will never feel fully ready.

And the longer you wait for that perfect moment?

The more likely you will never take action at all.

This is exactly what my brilliant friend Anne-Laure Le Cunff explores in her new book, Tiny Experiments.

The Problem

Most of us wait for the “right time” to make a big career move.

We tell ourselves:

• “I need to be 100% ready before I go for that promotion.”
• “I’ll pitch my idea when I’ve done more research.”
• “I’ll start my side business once I have every single detail mapped out.”

But here’s the reality:

The perfect moment never comes.

And what you think is preparation is often just disguised procrastination.

That’s why we need to stop treating every decision like a 10-year commitment…

…and start treating them as what Anne-Laure calls “tiny experiments.”
​
The Big Small Thing

Instead of waiting to feel “ready,” ask yourself:

What’s the smallest version of this I can try right now?

Anne-Laure calls these “tiny experiments”—small, low-risk tests that give you real data before making a big decision.

Here are 5 practical ways to use them:

• Thinking of a career pivot? Don’t quit your job. Try a small freelance project or shadow someone in the field.
• Want to be a better speaker? Don’t sign up for a TED Talk. Start by sharing a quick tip at your next meeting.
• Considering a big project? Don’t map out a 12-month plan. Set a 10-day challenge to test your idea.
• Want to get promoted? Don’t wait for your boss to notice you. Schedule a 1:1 and ask what skills you need to grow.
• Thinking about launching a side hustle? Don’t build a website or LLC. Offer your service to one person and see how it goes.

Small steps give you real data. And real data gives you confidence to go bigger.

Anne-Laure’s book reminds me of a concept I talk about in my new book, Wild Courage. I call it “Move, Then Map.”

If you want to launch something new, don’t spend months planning. Put something out into the world and adjust as you go.

Let action give you the clarity you need.

 How This Helps You Get What You Want

When you shift your mindset from “big leaps” to tiny experiments, you:

Build momentum instead of getting stuck in overthinking.

Gain confidence by testing real-world feedback.

You grow faster—because action beats theory every time.

If you’ve been waiting to feel “ready” before making a move…this is your sign.

Take the step.

Run the tiny experiment.

Go.

Let’s do this,