The Small Things That Are Secretly Shaping Your Life

Photo byCanva

Imagine that proverbial fly on the wall, silently observing your day. It wouldn’t see your grand plans, heartfelt dreams, or your deepest fears. It would simply witness the small, seemingly insignificant choices you make, moment by moment. 

And yet, those choices, those tiny daily actions, reveal more about us than we might realize. Not the big moment or major decision days — just a normal kind of day. The ones where we make small, everyday choices. You know, the ones we make almost without even thinking. 

Because it’s here, in these quiet everyday habits, that tell the story of who we are and, perhaps even more importantly, who we’re becoming.

Our habits are like breadcrumbs, leaving a trail that leads to our future.

It’s the Little Things

It may seem counterintuitive, I mean, who wouldn’t think the major events — a breakup, divorce, job loss, or even changing zip codes — define us? And, while these do leave a mark, it’s the little things that subtly steer the wheel of our lives toward what we want — or drive us away from it. 

As a health coach, I see this played out all the time. It’s not always about the big, dramatic changes. The smaller choices — like whether we grab a jelly donut or a handful of strawberries, hit snooze one more time instead of getting up to stretch or complain about our day instead of simply saying thank you. 

Think of our daily choices as tiny seeds. Are you planting for a bountiful harvest or letting weeds take over your garden?

Day by day, these choices shape our bodies, our mindsets, and ultimately who we are and who we’re becoming.

John Maxwell says it best: 

Good Decision minus Daily Discipline = A Plan without a Payoff
Daily Discipline minus Good Decisions = Regimentation without Reward
Good Decisions plus Daily Discipline = A Masterpiece of Potential

And that’s where the power of consistent habits comes in.

The Power of Consistent Habits

I get it. Life is busy, and it’s easy to let the shoulds slip away when we’re faced with tempting alternatives.

You know, like when we’re driving home after a long day, and Taco Bell practically calls our name, even though we know we should cook a healthy meal. Or when we’re curled up cozy on the couch, and one episode turns into three, and it’s suddenly way past our bedtime. Come morning, that 6 am workout? Well, that seems nothing more than a cruel joke, and all our body can say is, “Nope, not today.” 

We all have moments when our shoulds and our dos don’t quite line up. Most of us have the best intentions. But intentions and what we actually do? Well, that’s where the real struggle lies. That’s actually why I’m a huge fan of meal prepping. Having healthy options ready to go when we’re short on time or motivation can make all the difference.

It’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending scroll on our phone instead of picking up a book or grabbing takeout instead of making something healthier. And we’ve all been there — another episode of Netflix calls our name much louder than a walk (though sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed, just not every night.).

Reset and Recommit

Even with the best intentions, life happens, and our habits can slip. Take my morning yoga routine, for example. I’ve made my commitment easy, doable, and only ten minutes. But I’ve even let this habit slip — more than I’d like to admit. A skipped day or two easily turns into a week, and seeing the effects doesn’t take long. 

So when this happens, I know it’s time to reset and recommit. I challenge myself to 30 days of 10-minute morning yoga — no snooze button, no phone scrolling, no distractions— just straight to the mat. I intentionally keep it short and sweet because I know it’s something I can actually stick with; even on mornings I’d rather stay in bed. And it usually turns into more than 10 minutes anyway because the hardest part is simply starting. 

The trick is to make commitments small and easy to win; that way, it doesn’t feel so hard to start. When I do this, within a week, I feel the power of habit again, and my momentum is strong and growing.

It’s about knowing ourselves, anticipating our triggers, and setting ourselves up for success.

Because at the end of the day, as Anne Dillard beautifully puts it, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” 

Growth Through Small Steps

But it’s not just about recommitting to old habits; it’s also about embracing the new and pushing ourselves a bit past our comfort level. You know, like trying something we’ve always wanted to but were maybe a little afraid of.

The next level looks different for everyone. Some go all-in, others dip their toes, and the rest somewhere in between. There isn’t a right or wrong, but growth happens when we step outside our comfort zone.

Some years ago, I decided to try running. I didn’t even know if I could do it. On day one, I walked for one minute and ran for 15 seconds, alternating. It was a push, but I didn’t go full force. I just showed up each day and slowly built the confidence to keep going. And within four months, I completed my first half-marathon. 

Growth can happen with little steps or by giving it all we’ve got. Either way, it pushes us to the next level.

Our past doesn’t have to dictate our future; we have the power to shape our lives through our daily choices. But building a solid foundation through consistent daily habits is just as important. And there’s no better place to start than with our morning routine.

The Impact of Daily Choices

It’s not just about the big decisions; even the smallest choices we make throughout the day have a profound impact.

Our daily habits are incredibly powerful, but it’s easy to get off track even with the best intentions. Life has a way of stepping in. But each day is a fresh start, a chance to make small, positive choices that add up. 

It could be as simple as swapping sugary cereal for a bowl of oatmeal, a brisk ten-minute walk at lunchtime, or a genuine compliment to someone else instead of complaining about our workload. These small acts accumulate over time and shape who we’re becoming.

It all starts with our first choice of the day. Will you hit snooze or face the day with purposeful intention? The choice is yours. Mornings are a precious opportunity to build momentum and set the tone for the day. Before you know it, little wins stack up, and you’re inspired and feeling empowered. It’s simple, but it makes all the difference.

It’s these small wins that compound over time and lead to lasting change and transformation. 

Ready to Create Change?

Read this:

Check out James Clear’s powerful book, “Atomic Habits.” It’s a game-changer.

Feeling inspired? Great! Here’s your challenge:

• Pick just ONE habit you want to improve. Maybe it’s something you’ve been meaning to do or something that just popped into your mind.
• Break the goal down into tiny, bite-sized steps. We’re talking really small — something you can’t possibly fail at.
• Celebrate every win, no matter how small. These are what build us up.

And most importantly, remember…

• It doesn’t have to look perfect (truth: it never will). You just have to start.
• Our habits shape our future, so choose them with intention.

Final Thoughts

So, if that fly was watching you today, what would it see? Someone driven by purpose, where your values drive your choices? Or would it witness a series of missed opportunities and impulsive decisions? 

The truth is, our habits speak for us. They reveal who we are — our priorities, our values, and the path we’re carving for our future. 

But the beautiful thing? We have the power to change our story. Make the little choices count, because in the end, it’s not just about how we spend our days, it’s about the life we want to create. 

It’s a blend of daily habits, intentional learning, and a pinch of audacity. We don’t have to be great to start, but we have to start to be great.

You might also like:

Are Mornings Stressful? Say Goodbye to Chaos and Achieve More
Step-By-Step How to take back your mornings once and for all: Baby steps to calm