From Zero to Two: The Power of Small Growth

We all have areas of life where we feel completely incompetent. Not just “a little shaky,” but truly: “I-don’t-even-know-which-tools-to-use” incompetent.

For me, “craftsmanship” (working with my hands) has always been that category.

Back in college, I took a spiritual gifts assessment. My score for craftsmanship? A flat zero. 🤣

From Zero to… Maybe a Two

Fast forward 25 years. I’d love to say I’ve become a skilled mechanic or handyman. The truth? At best, I’ve crawled my way up to a solid two out of ten.

Case in point: my recent attempt to replace the car radio in my daughter’s 2006 Honda Accord.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t smooth. At one point, wires were everywhere, and I found myself questioning my life choices.

But here’s the key: I got it installed.

Now she has Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and navigation in a car that’s older than she is. More importantly, she’s driving around smiling and singing, enjoying her upgraded ride.

Her joy made my frustration worth it.

Growth Isn’t About Mastery

That project reminded me of something important: growth doesn’t come from magically becoming good at something.

It comes from showing up, trying, failing, learning, and then moving one step forward.

That’s how it’s been with starting and growing our business, too. Kristen and I used to say:

“We don’t know anything about running a business.”

Now we say:

“We’re learning about running a business.”

The shift isn’t about reaching perfection. It’s about adopting a learning mindset.

Why This Matters for Work and Life

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to grow personally, the principle is the same:

• You don’t need to be a ten to make progress.

• Even moving from zero to two is growth.

• The goal isn’t mastery. It’s momentum.

A Question for You

Where in your work or life do you feel like a total zero?

And what’s one small step you could take this week to turn that zero into a two?

Because progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about courage, persistence, and the joy that comes when growth (however small) pays off.