The Kedge Anchor

There’s a little-known tool called a kedge anchor. Unlike most anchors, which hold a ship in place, a kedge anchor helps it move forward. When there is no wind, the crew rows the anchor out ahead of the ship, drops it into the water, and slowly pulls the vessel toward it. The process is gradual—but it is progress nonetheless.

Moving toward a goal can feel the same way. You choose a point ahead and take small steps toward it. Some days, it may feel as though you’re standing still, but every effort counts—even when you don’t notice the change right away.

The kedge anchor reminds us that we don’t need perfect conditions to begin. A lack of wind may seem like an obstacle, but with patience and persistence—keeping our eyes fixed on the path before us—we will, in time, move forward.