Small Changes Lead to BIG Impact

Have you been wanting to make changes in your life but feel overwhelmed by choosing what changes to make?

Sometimes remembering past mistakes paralyze you in taking action. What if I make the same mistake again?

I understand.

I don't know about you, but I have gotten very self-critical when I've looked back at my life.

• Why did I make that decision?
• Why didn't I do that?
• 
  

Probably, the reason I made mistakes is because I had lost touch with myself, my values. It happens all the time. We have such competing priorities in our busy lives, with family, friends, work, "me time"… we are always balancing so much. So we make decisions and then, looking back we say "how did that happen?" or "why did that go wrong?"

While it is good to take responsibility for past mistakes, I have learned to move forward rather than look back. To move toward joy and meaning with my eyes forward.

Here is the goal: you want to increase your joy in life and you want to make decisions that are in sync with your values.

With that as the goal, there are many ways to make changes. I am listing a few below, but I am sure you have more ideas as well.

Gratitude

A simple way to invite more joy into your life is to focus on gratitude. Each morning or night, take a moment to write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big— a warm cup of tea, a kind word from a friend, or a beautiful sunrise. Over time, this practice can rewire your brain to focus more on the positive.

Engage in Activities That Used to Bring You Joy

Reintroduce activities you used to enjoy in the past. Dedicating even 10 minutes a day to something you love can make a difference. Maybe you loved painting, gardening, walking through the woods, or something else.

Connect with Others

You have a lifetime of relationships to draw on. But sometimes we get stuck and don't reach out and don't want to reach out.

I know from past experience, when I wasn't feeling joyful, I wasn't motivated to get in touch with anyone. I felt dull and boring, like I didn't have anything to say.

If you're feeling this way, try taking one small step to connect with others (the small step might be adjusting your mindset before doing anything else!).

Engage in a new activity you haven't tried before

Often, finding joy and meaning in our lives is about trying new things. It doesn't have to be a big thing. You can go to a restaurant you go to often but order something you haven't had before. What have you always wanted to try, learn, accomplish that you didn't get around to in your younger days? Maybe you were too busy, too tired with all of your commitments, or just had other priorities.

Now is the time to dust off those old ideas and look at them with new eyes. It may also be a great way to connect with others.

Move Your Body

Physical movement, even in small amounts, boosts mood and energy. Whether it’s a short walk, gentle stretching, or chair yoga, find a movement that works for your body and make it a daily habit. This will make step 3 easier because you'll feel better about yourself.

Practice Self-Compassion

Being kind to yourself, being forgiving, being understanding and letting go of judgement can be very difficult to put in place. There are many ways to do this… one idea is to try speaking to yourself with the same kindness you would offer a dear friend.

Another way is to quote Maya Angelou "when you know better, you do better." Really, you probably did whatever was your best at the time. Now you know better, so be kind to yourself. You will do better and you don't have to beat yourself up about anything.

Celebrate Small Wins

Every step forward matters. Do you even notice when you have done something well?

For example, I'm often tempted to buy a candy bar in the check out line of the supermarket. But that is not a very healthy habit. So every time I get out of the supermarket or the drugstore without a candy bar in my hand, I think it is a win.

Doesn't sound like much, does it? But it is!

Celebrate your progress—no matter how small. Recognizing your achievements builds momentum and motivation.

Final Thoughts

Remember, your goal is to experience life with more joy and more in sync with your values.

Life’s biggest transformations start with tiny steps. Don't let fear of big changes stop you from making small adjustments. You may be shocked at the difference a small change makes.

Often, it takes time, reflection, and the ear of a professional to identify the small (and big) changes that matter the most. That's why I developed The Art of Act3 Life Coaching program. It's a program developed for women just like you. It's designed to help you uncover your areas of joy and meaning and then take the first steps toward making some amazing changes.