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🌱 The Magic of 10% Effort: Smallest Wins, Biggest Impact

ByKerenh Winklepop

By Kerenh Winklepop | NurtureBuiltGrowth.com

Let’s be real for a second — if motivation had a face, she’d probably be that friend who only texts when she’s free and disappears the moment you need her most.

There are days when the to-do list is screaming, the kids are screaming, and the only thing you want to do is not exist for five minutes. (Or at least, not be the one responsible for feeding everyone.)

But here’s the truth most of us don’t say out loud: you don’t have to feel inspired to keep going. You just have to show up.

💭 The Ghost of Motivation (And Why We Don’t Need Her)

Motivation is like the weather — nice when it’s sunny, unpredictable the rest of the time.

If I waited for the “perfect moment” to write, launch, or create… I’d still be stuck on Draft #1 of this very blog post.

It’s not that I don’t love what I do — I do. It’s just that real life doesn’t always feel like a Pinterest board.

Sometimes you’re juggling laundry, deadlines, and a child asking deep existential questions like, “Mom, if dinosaurs were real, does that mean dragons are just retired ones?” (For the record, I said “maybe.” Because some battles aren’t worth fighting before coffee.)

🌱 The Magic of 10% Effort (Smallest Wins, Biggest Impact)

Here’s something I’ve learned as a mom and entrepreneur — you don’t need 100% every day. You just need 10%.

Ten percent effort on the days you feel like collapsing still moves you forward.

  • Write one paragraph.
  • Make one pin.
  • Reply to one comment.

Because 10% today + 10% tomorrow = momentum.

And momentum, my friend, is what builds empires quietly.

💡 Redefining “Showing Up”: It’s Less Than You Think

“Showing up” doesn’t mean doing it all. It means staying connected to what matters, even if you’re moving slow.

Sometimes showing up looks like:

  • ✨ Writing one line of your next blog post.
  • ✨ Updating one old pin on Pinterest.
  • ✨ Replying to one message from a reader who said your story made her cry (in a good way).

Small acts count. They’re proof that your dreams still matter, even on messy days.

🧘‍♀️ The Calm Hustle: Building Systems That Save You

Some people chase “hustle.” I chase harmony.

I’ve built NurtureBuiltGrowth on one truth — consistency without burnout is the real secret weapon.

I don’t publish a post every day. But I keep my rhythm.

I write during my 7 AM block, check SEO at 2 PM, and do my 10-minute engagement bursts like clockwork. Not because I’m superhuman — but because systems save me when motivation ghosts me.

💞 Real Talk: You Can Be Exhausted and Still Dedicated

There’s this unrealistic pressure that if you’re tired, you’re failing.

But you can be exhausted and still dedicated.

Showing up doesn’t mean perfection. It means not giving up on yourself, even when you’re crawling instead of sprinting.

Every time you keep that tiny promise to yourself — to write, to post, to learn — you rebuild trust with the person who matters most: you.

🌸 The Quiet Wins: How Small Actions Compound

Here’s the sneaky part — small actions compound.

  • That post you almost didn’t write? It reached 500 people.
  • That pin you repurposed? It brought 3 new subscribers.
  • That day you nearly gave up but didn’t? It rewired your brain to trust that you can.

You’re not behind. You’re just building slowly — and that’s the most strategic kind of success there is.

💬 Final Thoughts

You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to begin.

The act of showing up — especially on the uninspired days — is the work. It’s what separates dreamers from builders.

So take a deep breath, open your laptop (even if your kid is using it as a dining table), and start. Your future self will thank you for this exact moment.

🎁 Your Next 10% Step: Grab the Free Tracker

Ready to turn your “messy days” into momentum?

If the idea of consistency without burnout resonates with you, I created something to help.

✨ Click Here to Grab Your Free Printable:

“Tiny Wins Tracker — A Gentle Planner for Busy Moms Who Want Progress Without Burnout.”

It’ll help you clearly see how your 10% days still count. (Because they do. Always.)

🌿 If you missed Part 1:
Go back to “The Art of Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)”— the heart-to-heart piece that started it all.
It’ll remind you why progress isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present.
And once you’ve learned to show up, that’s when the real transformation begins. 💖

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