Several years ago, I had the privilege of hearing Zig Ziglar, the renowned motivational speaker and author, speak at an event in Kansas City. I was excited about the opportunity to meet him, and afterward, I got my chance. He was kind, shook my hand, and posed for a picture with me.
It was a brief encounter, but his kindness is what I remember most. One of my favorite Zig Ziglar sayings captures an idea I love:
"Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will always be able to see farther."
I’ve always liked that advice because it applies to almost everything. Whether you’re starting a business, chasing a dream, making a hard decision, or simply figuring out what to do next, you rarely need to know how the entire story ends.
Sometimes you just need to take the next step.
We often get stuck waiting for the full picture. We want guarantees that our plans will work, that the timing is perfect, and that the outcome will be worth it.
Life rarely offers those assurances. If we wait until every question is answered, we may never begin.
Instead, go as far as you know how to go. Take the steps available with the information you have. When you reach that point, you’ll often see something that wasn’t visible before—a new opportunity, a helpful person, or a simpler path than you imagined.
The next step frequently becomes clear only after you’ve taken the one before it.
I learned this during my first year as a magazine publisher. I had a client who expected immediate results and an unrealistic return on her investment.
In a meeting she told me I should have waited to start the magazine. Although I understood her concern, I believed in what I was building, and I didn’t think perfect conditions were required.
I used the termination clause in our contract to end the relationship.
Looking back, I’m glad I did—and so were my readers. If I had let one client’s uncertainty and expectations decide whether I moved forward, I might have missed the chance to create something valuable.
There are times when waiting is wise. Sometimes we need more information, better preparation, or a clearer plan. But there’s a difference between being prudent and waiting for guarantees that may never arrive.
Consider something ordinary, like heading to a meeting. You’re running late. Traffic is worse than expected. You start wondering whether you’ll make it.
You could turn around and cancel. Or you could keep going. The other person might be running late too. You might still have a productive conversation.
Even if you miss the original time, you could reschedule in person or make a connection that turns out to be worthwhile.
Of course, things sometimes don’t work out. But there’s a difference between recognizing that something is impossible and quitting because you’re afraid it might fail. If you cancel before giving yourself a chance, you’ve made certain the meeting won’t happen. If you keep going, possibility remains.
I believe you must have faith in yourself, and faith that things will work out to your benefit.
That principle applies to far bigger things. You may not know how to finance a business, write an entire book, turn an idea into reality, or reach a goal that feels out of reach. You don’t have to solve every problem today.
Figure out what you can do now, do it, and then look at what’s in front of you. Progress has a way of revealing possibilities that weren’t visible from where you started.
I think we sometimes give uncertainty too much power. We mistake not knowing the whole answer for not knowing enough to begin. Yet we learn a great deal by moving forward, paying attention, and adjusting as we go.
In football, a quarterback sometimes calls an audible when the original play no longer makes sense. We need to do that in life, too. Flexibility is a valuable trait.
There’s a difference between being reckless and being bold. Good judgment matters.
When a reasonable path forward exists, don’t let the fact that you can’t see the finish line keep you from taking the first step. You may discover the road leads somewhere better than expected. And even if you eventually need to change direction, you’ll have learned something you couldn’t have learned by standing still.
The next time you’re unsure what to do, remember Zig Ziglar’s advice. Go as far as you can see. Take the next step. Then look again.
You don’t have to see the whole way forward. You just have to be willing to move far enough to see a little farther.