Small Wins, Big Change

In my last post, I discussed the power of process—how daily, consistent actions over time lead to success. It's a simple formula: Action + Consistency + Time = Results. 

In his book "Atomic Habits," James Clear writes, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." Change isn't just about setting lofty goals; it's about the small daily choices that prove to yourself who you are becoming. This applies to personal growth, professional development, skills, hobbies, relationships, traits, tendencies, or any other area of life that you want to improve.

Sounds simple, right? But that's the beauty of it—it is simple but not always easy.

Let me ask: What fuels that change? What makes those small daily choices stick? What's the next step after committing to a process?

Clear lays it out in two steps:

1. Decide the type of person you want to be.
2. Prove it to yourself with small wins.

Becoming the Person You Want to Be

Clear says, "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you want to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity."

• Want to be a writer? Write every day, even if it's just a few lines. You're becoming a writer.
• Want to be well-read? Take the time to read each day, even just a few pages. You're becoming a reader.
• Want to lead? Step up, inspire others, and make decisions. You're becoming a leader.

The process is about proving it to yourself by consistently planning and taking action. The change happens when you act on and build up the new habit. Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes progress.

Remember, every action you take is a vote for the person you're becoming. The more votes you cast for your future self, the clearer the outcome will become.

Habit Stacking

What does a vote for yourself look like? Clear calls it "habit stacking" and here's the formula:

After/Before [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]

Examples from my own life are my morning routine:

• After I brush my teeth in the morning, I will stretch for 10 minutes.
• After I stretch, I will meditate for 10 minutes.
• After I meditate, I will read something meaningful, inspirational or motivational.
• After I read, I will write about what I read and how it applies to my life.

Clear continues, "…meaningful change does not require radical change. Small habits can make a meaningful difference by providing evidence of a new identity. And if a change is meaningful, it actually is big."

So, what votes are you casting today for your future self?

Put your process in place. Make those small, daily decisions, and prove it to yourself with small wins. The power of process, paired with the right actions, guarantees that someday—ten days, ten weeks, or ten years from now—you'll look up and realize you've become an "overnight" success.

The Good Life Journal is a weekly newsletter curated from my journal, readings, and writings. Remember to subscribe to receive it emailed directly to your inbox and access exclusive content.

I'm glad to share the Good Life with you. If you feel it's beneficial, please share it with others.

~ Steve