The Ripple Effect of One Small Change
Change One Thing
That’s it, just one. One small change in your life can make a massive difference and we underestimate it.
We often think transformation means doing everything at once – and there’s so much noise out in the world to ‘help’ you do that.
Meditate, journal, do breath work, exercise 3x a week, strength train, run, cook from scratch for healthy eating and all before you start work! For most of us that’s totally unrealistic and put out there by people who can afford to have a 4 hour morning routine! For the rest of us, it’s trying to scale a very high mountain whilst juggling a demanding job, a commute, a school run, and all the demands life throws at us.
Last year, I was exhausted. I felt stuck in a job I wasn’t happy in and was spending a lot of unproductive time on my phone. So I made one change – something small and invisible to anyone else but which changed how I showed up in life.
I bought an alarm clock for £10. A basic one which has no volume button, just a button to set the time and another to set the alarm. No snooze button. For the first couple of months, the cat looked like she was being shot out of a cannon every time it went off!
I left the phone downstairs and that’s where it’s stayed every night since April 2024. At first it felt weird, and I nearly caved so many times, but I stuck with it. The ripple effect of this one small change has changed how I live my life and I’m a lot happier than I was.
- I get better quality and longer sleep because I’m not spending my time doom scrolling.
- I wake up feeling more refreshed and ready for the day and I have more productive mornings – it also gives me the choice of having a lazy morning if I want
- I go to bed earlier
- Because I felt so good, I decided to take a break from alcohol ( who knew just one drink makes you super tired the next day as you hit your 50s?!)
- That decision rippled out into studying for and graduating with a diploma in Positive Psychology and Coaching whilst working full time
- I launched a new business doing something I love!
- I’m back running again, I’m fitter and feel better about myself
- I’m cooking from scratch again and eating healthier
- My confidence has grown and the more I’ve put myself out there, the easier it gets
- I have a clearer sense of purpose and where I want to be in life
- More energy throughout my day, I’m more present for the things I love – walks with friends and horse riding.
- My phone use has reduced!
All this from 1 small change, and if I’m honest, none of that was the plan. I just wanted to use my phone less and it worked!
It all started with one small change, 18 months on, my life has taken a whole new direction. I’m happier, healthier and more grounded.
If you made one small change today, how could your life be different in 3 months’ time? Maybe it’s less phone time. Maybe it’s waking up earlier. Maybe it’s saying yes to something new. What 1 small thing could you change to create a ripple in your life?
With love,
Nicky
English