When days start turning into weeks and eventually years in the blink of an eye, it’s easy to lose sight of the everyday habits we form. Some things just start becoming natural to us. Sleeping late, eating unhealthy food, making self-deprecating humor, etc. We don’t realize when or how we acquired these habits until they become a stubborn part of our lifestyle and we notice we have gained an unhealthy amount of weight or have stagnated in our careers.

The truth is that we have been making small decisions that have led us to this result. When we choose to sleep instead of waking up to work out, or when we choose to watch a show instead of using the time to learn a new skill, we are making a decision for the future.

This can be a little intimidating to think about, but it does not mean you have to worry about each step you take. Look at it this way: You have the power to shape your future into something amazing, just by making small decisions every day.

Darren Hardy in his book ‘The Compound Effect’ talks about the compounding effect of small decisions. The Compound Effect is the strategy of reaping big rewards from small, insignificant actions. Hardy says that small, smart choices along with consistency and time ultimately create a radical difference in our lives. The most challenging aspect of this is that we have to keep working at it for a while, consistently and efficiently until we can see results. You may not see the difference in a few months or a year. But give it 2-3 years and you will be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Hardy also stresses that we have to take responsibility for our lives and who we become. He gives a simple formula:

Preparation (personal development) + Attitude (beliefs /mindset) + Opportunity (a good thing coming your way) + Action (seizing the opportunity) = Luck

When you prep your mind and body to seize opportunities and take action, you will become successful. This is what people tend to call luck, when in fact it is the result of years of investing in yourself and building a good mindset and routine.

One of the key takeaways here is that if you want to achieve a goal, start by focusing on the everyday decisions you can control. When you make a decision, you are not only doing it for now but for your future self too.

This also means that every time you make a choice that takes you towards a healthier, abundant life, be proud of yourself.

The big changes start with simple steps.

Have a great week!