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By: @Kristin Withrow

In advance of his keynote address at the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase in Palm Desert this August, keynote speaker Ben Nemtin explained what he’s learned about tackling big goals - and how it can have big impact on public sector agencies. At its core, Nemtin’s philosophy is simple: big goals aren’t achieved in giant leaps. They’re achieved through consistent, incremental action.

When Nemtin and his friends created a list of “impossible” dreams—everything from playing basketball with the President to delivering a baby—they weren’t just chasing adventure. They made a commitment that for every item they crossed off their own bucket list, they would help a stranger achieve a dream of their own. What followed became The Buried Life movement, a journey fueled by purpose, persistence, and human connection. Along the way, Nemtin discovered something powerful: Making the impossible possible isn’t about bold leaps or perfect plans—it’s about small, consistent actions that build momentum over time.

“I’m a big believer that action compounds like compounding interest,” he explained. “When you put small 
deposits into a compounding interest account, over time it grows.”

For public agencies facing large infrastructure projects, community expectations, or operational constraints, that idea can be a game changer. Instead of focusing on the enormity of the outcome, the focus shifts to what can be done today to move forward.

Nemtin recommends starting with clarity and immediacy. Take action to move forward without worrying about the result yet. Write down the goal. Identify three simple actions you can take within the next 48 hours. Those steps don’t need to be bold or dramatic—they just need to break inertia. Momentum, once started, has a way of carrying forward.

Equally important is what happens next: sharing the goal. Too often, people hesitate to talk openly about what they’re trying to achieve. There’s a natural instinct to avoid burdening others or risking judgment. But according to Nemtin, that hesitation can be a barrier to progress.

“We don’t ask for help because we’re afraid of being a burden or we’re afraid of what other people might think—but
people can’t help if they don’t know,” he advised.

Sharing goals creates accountability. It also opens the door to collaboration, ideas, and support that might not otherwise surface. In the public sector, this can take the form of building internal alignment among staff or engaging external stakeholders—like community advisory groups or action committees—to help shape and support initiatives.

When people understand the “why” behind a goal, they’re far more likely to contribute to it.

That sense of shared purpose also ties into another key principle Nemtin emphasized: Surround yourself with the right people. Energy matters. The people you work with—and the environment you create—can either reinforce momentum or quietly erode it.

Leaders who intentionally build teams and community networks grounded in positivity, collaboration, and shared values create a ripple effect. Small acts—recognizing a colleague, expressing gratitude, offering help—build goodwill that often returns when it’s needed most.

Of course, even with momentum and support, there’s one factor that shows up every time someone pursues something meaningful: fear. Nemtin doesn’t suggest avoiding fear. Instead, reframe it.

“Fear is a marker that this thing you’re about to do is important,” he said.

Rather than seeing fear as a stop sign, he encourages leaders to recognize it as a signal. The physical sensations of fear and excitement are remarkably similar. The difference lies in interpretation. By shifting that internal narrative—from “I’m afraid” to “I’m excited”—it becomes easier to move forward instead of stalling out.

There’s also a practical reality to consider: Inaction is its own form of failure. Trying, even imperfectly, creates learning, growth, and forward movement. That becomes fuel for future success.

For special district leaders, this mindset can be especially powerful. Their work often carries high stakes, public visibility, and long timelines. It’s easy to get caught in day-to-day pressures and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s why Nemtin’s final point may be the most important: Stay connected to your “why.”

“You’re seven times more resilient when you come back to that why,” he noted.

In public service, that “why” is rooted in impact—clean water flowing to homes, emergency services ready when needed, parks providing outside spaces, infrastructure supporting daily life. Much of that impact happens quietly, often unseen by the special district staff that enables it.

“Impact happens even if you don’t see it,” Nemtin said.

Remembering the larger purpose provides the resilience needed to navigate challenges, setbacks, and competing demands. It also reinforces the importance of the work itself. Making the impossible possible isn’t about having all the answers from the start. It’s about taking the first step, inviting others along, leaning into the right energy, and continuing forward—even when it feels uncertain. Over time, those small steps add up. And what once felt out of reach begins to move within it.