Small Changes Can Make A Big Difference

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." - Keri Russell

I remember one day being out at a driving range, hitting a bucket of golf balls. I was hitting the ball pretty good that day, or so I thought, and I just needed a little more consistency. 

Soon after that, a stranger walked up behind me and started to watch me swing, and I assumed it had to be a golf pro-employee looking to sell me some golf lessons. After I took a few more swings, he approached. He didn't say a lot, "That's not bad. But try something for me." He had me make the slightest change in my grip, which couldn't have been more than 1/2 an inch different from how I held the golf club before. He told me to try my swing again to see how that felt. Of course, I crushed the golf ball on the next two swings. That little change in my grip probably added another 30-50 yards of distance to my drive. I was impressed. And, admittingly, tempted to get some golf lessons, but I resisted.

It was incredible the significant impact that little change in my grip made to my golf swing. But it was a good lesson. 1) There are always improvements we can make. And 2) Little changes can make a big difference.

Life is often like this. Sometimes we may think things are fine just the way they are. Or maybe we settle for something less than we can be. We need to look for ways to improve ourselves and our lives to have the best possible experiences, even in the smallest of ways. Change doesn't always need to be radical or overwhelming.

In a book I've read, The Spirit of Kaizen, by Robert Maurer, he talks about creating lasting excellence one small step at a time. People often fear change, and it can be daunting and overwhelming.  Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning "good change." The art of Kaizen focuses on taking small doable steps toward improvement. Small tasks or events cause minimal stress and often no fear. One tiny change after another will eventually lead you to your goal—one small step at a time. You don't always have to take a long series of steps to get where you want to go. In some cases, one or two small steps are all you need because those steps have much more significant power than their size.

Remember, even small degrees of difference can indeed make a big difference. If you heat water to 211 degrees, all you get is hot water. But if you add 1 degree of difference, at 212 degrees, you get boiling water. 

We don't need to try to change our entire lives overnight. Instead, focus on making one small change at a time. These things can add up to significant transformations. If we change that one small thing today, it can lead to more significant changes tomorrow. Sometimes, the smallest of changes or the simplest of decisions can make the most significant impacts on your life.

Strive always to get better. Strengthen your attitude and mindset. Work on constant focus and consistent effort. You have to strive to improve yourself daily, if even by 1 percent.

What ONE DEGREE of a positive difference can you make today? 

What ONE DEGREE of extra effort can you apply today? 

What ONE DEGREE of improvement can you gain today? 

What ONE DEGREE of change can make an impact today?

Make today great!

Curtis

"The smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What tiny attitude adjustment might turn your world around?" - Oprah Winfrey