Pull up a chair, maybe pour yourself a cup of something warm, and let me share a thought that’s been echoing in my mind lately: “Inch by inch, it’s all a cinch.” Simple words. But they hold a surprising amount of power—especially when life starts to feel big and a little overwhelming.
Grab a comfortable chair and something warm to sip. I want to share a simple truth that’s made a big difference in my life—and maybe it’ll hit home for you, too.
“Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life’s hard.”
That line from John Bytheway has stuck with me. Not because it’s clever (though it is), but because it’s true. Especially when life starts to feel overwhelming.
We’ve all faced moments where the road ahead looks long, the mountain too steep, the goal too big. Maybe it’s something professional—a new role, a bold idea, a long-term project. Or perhaps it’s deeply personal—starting again after loss, learning something new, or simply figuring out what comes next.
Whatever the case, it’s easy to get stuck when we look at the whole thing at once. We must take on the entire journey in one heroic leap. And when that leap feels too big, we stall.
But I’ve learned this: we don’t have to leap. We have to step. One inch at a time.
I think back to my old garden. I’d plant seeds no bigger than a grain of rice. Then came the quiet work—watering, weeding, watching. No fireworks. No instant results. But day by day, inch by inch, life stirred under the surface. Eventually, beauty bloomed. Not because I did something big—but because I kept showing up.
The same is true in nearly every part of life. Writing a book? Take it one sentence at a time. Trying to build a habit? Start with five minutes. Repairing a relationship? Begin with a conversation.
Things get easier when we stop measuring progress in yards and start measuring it in inches. They become manageable and even encouraging because each small step is a win, and those wins build momentum.
And here’s something else I’ve noticed. When we move inch by inch, we find our rhythm. We begin to feel less like we’re pushing uphill and more like we’re in sync with our path. We build confidence. Clarity. Even joy.
I took up painting not long ago—something I hadn’t done since I was young. My first brushstrokes were…well, not exactly masterpieces. But I stuck with it. Inch by inch, I’ve improved. More importantly, I’ve found joy in the process. Not because I’m great at it, but because I’m doing it. And that matters.
So wherever you are—building something new, picking up the pieces, or just trying to keep moving—remember: It doesn’t always have to be hard. You don’t have to do it all at once.
Take the next inch. Then the next. Keep going.
Before long, you’ll look up and realize you’re not stuck. You’re moving. And you’re further along than you thought.
Because inch by inch? Life really can be a cinch.
