Build the Life You Want, One Small Step at a Time

THE MYTH OF BIG CHANGE

It’s the little things that keep us going.  The daily habits, the small decisions; each and every action you take, no matter how small, is a step forward.

A common misconception is that big life events and achievements are what move us in big ways, but I disagree.

How many small changes or actions did you have to take to get to a BIG change?

We don’t often think about them, but when we do, when we become aware of how much power they hold, we become an unstoppable force.

SMALL ACTIONS, BIG IMPACT

It’s hard to believe that even the smallest actions matter, but they’re often the most important.

One phone call, one social media post, one hello to a stranger can change the course of your life.

I’ve been making ripples in my personal and business life just by showing up each day and taking consistent action.
I make myself a list of small tasks each day, but most importantly, I follow through.

Let me tell you: if you stick to it, it works.

And those ripples? Keep them going, and before you know it, you’ll be riding a wave of momentum you created yourself.

FROM IDEA TO ACTION: THE CARD DECK

Let me walk you through an example.

Months ago, I had the idea to create a deck of Take Positive Action Cards for the Miss Fortune Blog. I wanted to help people shift out of negativity and into a more positive headspace through small, powerful actions.

Sound familiar?

But what is an idea without action?

Without it, a dream or plan stays exactly that, and never becomes more.

STEP BY STEP, THE PATH APPEARS

I took the card deck idea and reached out to someone in my networking group who had made one of her own. Just that small message made my idea more real.

She referred me to her designer. I messaged the designer. She responded. We had a meeting. I felt motivated!

Next step: come up with 50 small positive actions.

THE RESISTANCE IS REAL

I started strong and got to about 30 before the ideas slowed down. I lost momentum.

I stopped taking steps toward the deck, all because of a little resistance.

And once I stopped, the card deck I’d envisioned started slipping away.

But after a week or so of procrastination, I recognized what was happening. I pushed through.
I set a deadline to finish the list and chipped away at it, day by day.

The only thing standing in the way of something big… was me.

I was resisting the small steps it would take to get there.

TURNING VISION INTO REALITY

I paid the designer, sent her my main image and the full list of actions, and off we went.

With each small decision we made together, the project became more real.

Eventually, everything was complete, and I paid her final fee.

She sent the finished files and… what came back along with them?

That resistance. Again.

FEAR VS. FORWARD MOTION

Instead of placing the order, I froze.

What if they aren’t good enough?
What if no one is interested and I fail?
What if everything I’ve done was for nothing?

I lived in that space for a couple of weeks: excited but stuck.

Until one day, I’d had enough.

I made the order because I realized that what I was creating meant something to me.
Even if I had to keep every deck for myself, I was proud of what I’d created.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN MOTION

About a week later I received my proof set and it was amazing!

I shared it on social media, confident that everyone would want one.

That first post? Barely any interest.

Cue the wave of insecurity. I felt like a failure.  But still, I pushed forward.

I told my friends. I posted again.
I mailed a box to a friend across the country.
I donated another box to a friend’s resiliency challenge.

Bit by bit, with each small action, the momentum grew.

I’m so proud to say that I’m almost sold out of my first batch and I’m preparing to order batch number two.

ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME

So next time you think, “It’s not that important. I’ll skip it,”
Or that awful feeling creeps in, “It won’t make a difference…”

Remember:

It can.
It will.
And you should.

Because progress doesn’t come from waiting. 

Every small step you take is part of the journey that leads you to your destination.