We make so many decisions in one day, on average 122 decisions every day! Every decision that you make changes the course of your day. Maybe just slightly but EVERY decision makes your path. You can’t progress without making a decision.
Have you ever thought about how you’re just one decision away from completely flipping the script on your life? No, I’m not talking about deciding between pizza or Chinese takeaway for tea (though let’s be honest, that’s a pretty monumental choice too). I’m talking about those seemingly tiny decisions that can set off a chain reaction of epic proportions. You are 1 decision away from a completely different life.
The Butterfly Effect: Not Just for Nerds
The butterfly effect is this cool idea that tiny things can have huge impacts, like how a butterfly flapping its wings might set off a chain of events leading to a tornado halfway around the world. It’s a way of saying that small actions can create big changes. So, next time you think something’s too small to matter, remember that even the tiniest flap can make waves!
Real-Life Examples: Choose Your Own Adventure
- Career Choices
Let’s say you’re scrolling through job listings, half-heartedly looking for something new. You see a job that seems… meh. But then you think, “Why not?” and apply. Next thing you know, you’re in a dream job, talking with fascinating people, and you’ve even got a fancy title too. All because you decided to hit “Apply.” All because you made 1 decision that day to say yes.
- Health Kick
You’re binge-watching your favourite show, elbow-deep in a bag of crisps, with a side of chocolate when a wild thought appears: “Maybe I’ll go for a walk tomorrow.” You follow through, and that one walk turns into a full-on fitness frenzy. Next thing you know, you’re running marathons, feeling like a superhero, and your couch barely remembers what you look like.
Or slightly more realistic for a mum knee deep in raising children, make a decision to park your car further away so you have to walk a bit further to get to the shop, take the stairs or push the pram to the park….. find something that fits with you.
- Love Life
When I was 18 and deciding which University I was going to attend, my front runner was Bath. I loved the city and was excited to start a new adventure. Last minute, I changed my mind and opted for a university closer to home. That decision was one of the best. At university I met my now husband and we have a beautiful daughter.
On the opposite side to this, those people struggling- making that decision to leave a relationship is just as important. Knowing you deserve better, and making that change your life. You are Worthy of a happier life. Make the decision to choose you.
1 decision both important and meaningful.
4. Helping others
Have you seen someone struggling? What did you do? Did you help or walk away? Making that one decision to help may be the start of the butterfly effect. Your one act of kindness may just be the start of something life changing for them.
You may never know the effect of one of your decisions, but that’s ok. You made a good decision.
The Naysayers and the Overthinkers
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what if it’s the wrong decision?” Here’s the thing – life isn’t a perfectly mapped-out journey. It’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure book where half the pages are stuck together. Sometimes, even the “wrong” decisions lead to the right places. So why not take a chance?
I recently made a decision to invest in myself and learn new skills to building my dream life. I want to be able to work from anywhere, and not be restricted to an office. By making one decision to buy a book (This same book) I am now part of a very supportive community who I know have my best interests at heart and are pushing me to build this life.
I started with caution and overthinking everything- now it’s the best thing I’ve done. Believe in yourself and make a decision.
You can watch my journey HERE
I started my journey by making the decision to by a book…….. just to have a look and read…. The rest is history.
Just Do the Thing
Here’s the moral of the story: Life is full of these tiny, pivotal moments. They’re like popcorn kernels – you never know which one’s going to pop into something amazing. Maybe it’s sending that risky email, taking a different route home, or saying yes to a spontaneous invite. Every decision is a door to a new possibility.
So go out there and flap your wings, make that decision, and embrace the chaos. After all, you’re just one choice away from a whole new adventure. And who knows? Maybe it’ll involve pizza *and* a Chinese!
Remember, nothing happens until you decide. Make a decision and watch your life move forward.
What are you going to decide today?
Hello Friend! Decisions! I did not realize how many decisions we make every day both personally and professionally. Wow! Well, I made a good decision today in reading your blog post as it is truly valuable. I totally agree that the smallest decision can Influence untold opportunities and possibilities. Every time I read one of your blog posts it is like reading a motivational and wise document. For example, when you say ” Here’s the thing – life isn’t a perfectly mapped-out journey. It’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure book where half the pages are stuck together.” That is truly brilliant and an incredible way to describe life. I do love it how life overlaps and the many adventures in life blend together. Just last night, and many nights, my wife and I marvel at where we started an and where we are now. Another amazing thing that you state is “Life is full of these tiny, pivotal moments. They’re like popcorn kernels – you never know which one’s going to pop into something amazing.” This is so true! We never know what’s going to happen today based on the decisions we make or have made in the best that we can do is have faith and hope that we make the right decisions and take action and we should. Thanks for this post and have a wonderful day!
Every decision has a butterfly effect! Decisions are best laid on the lap of the Divine. Snap decisions may or may not be wise. But taking a moment to pray about it is the wisest thing anyone can do. This post is a gem. Oh and I saw my first Monarch yesterday!! Fleeting but just the sight of it caused a jolt of awakening!
Hi Sarah,
Your post really made me think about the power of our decisions. It’s amazing how even the smallest choices can set off a chain reaction that changes everything. I love the idea of the butterfly effect! It’s a great reminder that every decision, big or small, has the potential to lead us to something significant.
It’s incredible how a single choice, like taking a walk, can snowball into something much bigger and more rewarding.
Your personal story about choosing a university and meeting your husband is a beautiful example of how one decision can shape your whole life in ways you never expected.
Thanks for sharing this perspective. It’s encouraging to remember that every decision we make is a step towards something new. I’m excited to see where my own decisions take me! Thanks 😊
Meredith
Meredith Moore recently posted…TikTok University to Email Integration to Content Creation Achievements
Sarah, thanks for bringing this idea to us that small actions can create big changes. I never thought of it that way but buying into the ideas presented in one simple book can be the beginnings of a completely different life.
Robert Klein recently posted…Dig – a little deeper in the well
It’s incredible to think how the choices we make, even the seemingly small ones, can set off a chain reaction leading to monumental changes.
Every choice we make, from career to lifestyle, carries the potential to shape our future in unexpected and wonderful ways.
Your analogy of the butterfly effect beautifully illustrates how small actions can have significant impacts.
Thank you for this powerful reminder.
I love reading your blogs and you’ve done it again with this one. So profound and it made me think about some of the pivotal decisions I’ve made in my lifetime. Like the time I decided to click that link to get myself a free book.
Your post is such a great reminder of how the smallest decisions can lead to significant life changes. I really connected with your example about making a decision to go for a walk, which eventually snowballed into a complete fitness transformation. It’s incredible how something as simple as a single choice can have such profound impacts over time.
In my own experience, I’ve seen how making one decision, like investing time in learning a new skill or networking with new people, can open doors I hadn’t anticipated.
Here’s a thought: how do you handle the fear of making the “wrong” decision? One strategy I’ve found helpful is to focus on the learning experience rather than just the outcome. Even if a decision doesn’t lead to the desired result, the insights and growth from the process can be incredibly valuable. Although I will admit, this is hard sometimes 🙂
Looking forward to your next post!
Sarah, I always look forward to seeing what you have instore for us each week and this week was another good post. After reading this I started to think about the decisions or lack of decisiveness in my own journey. So, I am gonna take your advice and start flapping my wings! Looking forward to your up coming post!
Hi Sarah,
Loved your blog entry! I truly believe in the butterfly effect and believe that the best parts of my life happened because of the decisions I took.
Like you, so many of the people that are around me are a direct result of having taken a specific decision – here is the key words: taken a specific decision.
That, to me, is the single most issue that are holding back so many: taking decisions!
All the best!
Excellent blog on how choices affect our lives. We need to be conscious how important making each decion is.