Embracing Small Actions and Resilience

During a conversation with someone I had just met, she introduced herself by expressing her initial aspiration to change the world.

She, however, mentioned that the big world had proven this to be more difficult than she had imagined.

I listened attentively and reminded myself not to interrupt what she had to say. Instead, I was to process her words later.

It’s now later ...

I could empathise with her. Her sentiment was true. It made me wonder how many others felt the same. I for one, felt the resemblance of the experience. Many others have likely felt the same way at some point. Right?

However, who's to say that you aren't already changing the world or won't do so in the future?

Does the concept of "changing the world" have to be so glorious?

Aren't we all making an impact every day, even in seemingly small ways? For instance, acknowledging a stranger on public transport (which is very rare nowadays but treasured) or letting a car merge into your lane during heavy traffic can create positive changes, altering the narrative in some small yet meaningful way.

The way I see it — every decision you make, regardless of whether it's deemed right or wrong, has an impact on the world you live in. And the definition of what's right or wrong can be subjective.

Every action you take is like a project. Choosing the right project for you is crucial. Your decisions carry an opportunity cost, and what you choose to prioritise matters. The way we perceive our decision-making process can significantly influence the outcomes.

Would you agree?

The best projects we involve ourselves in deserve our full attention. Trying to do too much can result in not accomplishing enough in any one area.

You come up with the best solutions when considering all factors. All decisions you make are consciously made and knowledgeable. Stephen Covey explains it best below with the idea of having a Principle Center:

To change our version of a better world, we should pick projects that resonate with us and surround ourselves with the right resources to support our goals. By not obsessing over the results, you can avoid falling into the perfection fallacy, where you attempt to achieve flawless outcomes by considering every possible scenario.

Recognising that nothing will ever be perfect will benefit you as you carry out your decisions in the context of your life as a whole.

By picking what works for you, the right projects and resources to accomplish your goals, you'll take one small step towards changing your version of a better world.

So, back to the idea of changing the world—yes, it's possible. I, you, and the person I spoke to can achieve it. However, it all starts with taking small actions, working with a small group, engaging persistently, and being resilient in our pursuits. Choosing appropriately-sized projects and utilising the right resources will eventually lead to a bigger impact on the world, aligning with our aspirations.

This is where we want to go—together, step by step, gradually making a difference.