Progress toward ambitious goals rarely feels linear. Early wins bring energy, but momentum often slows, leaving teams and leaders wondering whether their effort is truly paying off. Alex Dripchak, a sales director, skills coach, and advisor, has spent years guiding individuals and organizations through these slower seasons, helping them stay motivated when progress becomes difficult to measure.
“You ever try to microwave popcorn?” Dripchak asks. “The first few pops are thrilling, then it slows down, and you start wondering if anything is happening at all. That’s exactly what chasing big goals feels like.” The challenge, he says, is psychological as much as operational. When teams fixate only on major outcomes, they overlook the steady gains happening beneath the surface, and frustration begins to replace confidence.
Tracking Progress as a Strategic Tool
Dripchak encourages leaders to make progress visible in concrete ways. “When you can see proof that you’re moving forward, even in small ways, it fuels momentum,” he explains. Simple systems such as checklists, journals, dashboards, or notes apps allow individuals and teams to measure growth week over week, month over month, and year over year. Patterns emerge that would otherwise go unnoticed. Skills sharpen. Habits strengthen. Conversations improve. That visibility becomes an anchor, countering the easy assumption that nothing is changing. Importantly, tracking also helps leaders coach more effectively. Instead of relying on vague impressions, they can point to evidence of effort and improvement. The conversation shifts from emotion to data, which keeps morale steadier during long stretches of hard work.
Shifting Focus from Outcome to Input
Another principle Dripchak returns to repeatedly is prioritizing inputs. “You can’t always make the scoreboard change immediately, but you can control the shots you take,” he says.
When goals are broken into daily, controllable actions, leaders give people something they can win at right now. A seller may not close three deals this week, but they can research ten prospects, make five strong calls, or refine their messaging. Those activities build competence and consistency. Focusing on inputs restores agency. It replaces waiting with doing. Over time, disciplined execution compounds, and outcomes begin to reflect the effort invested earlier.
The Power of Micro Milestones
Big goals can feel distant, especially when timelines stretch across quarters or years. To keep energy high, Dripchak recommends creating micro milestones that deliver regular signals of achievement. “Celebrate when you hit them. I mean, actually celebrate,” he says. “Treat yourself to your favorite food, share the update with a friend, or even post it online. Momentum comes from many small wins stacked together.” These celebrations are not distractions from performance. They reinforce it. Acknowledging progress builds belief, and belief sustains persistence when the work inevitably becomes repetitive or demanding.
Lessons for Leaders and Teams
Dripchak reminds clients that slower periods are not evidence that something is wrong. They are often the stage when foundations are being built. “This is the part of the story where the hero is building strength,” he says. Leaders who help their teams zoom out, recognize incremental improvement, stay committed to controllable actions, and mark milestones create cultures that endure pressure. People learn to trust the process because they can see it working. He leaves them with a message that is simple but powerful. “Keep moving forward, even when it’s slow, because the popcorn will start popping again.” For Dripchak, maintaining commitment during quiet stretches is a strategic skill. It is what separates teams that ultimately achieve ambitious outcomes from those that abandon them too soon.
For more insights, connect with Alex Dripchak on LinkedIn.
