The Butterfly Effect
Today we’re talking about how tiny changes and small steps add up – at least, that’s my take on the Butterfly Effect (side note — I’m listening to the song as I write this!)
The Butterfly Effect is a metaphor that explains how small events and variations can lead to significant effects on a larger scale. The example that demonstrates this is that a butterfly fluttering its wings can cause winds that can initiate a tornado halfway around the world.
When I came across this metaphor, I thought that it connected perfectly with Atomic Habits by James Clear (a must-read book!) He explains that we should make small, gradual changes to our habits, rather than overhauling our entire life all at once with idealistic habits and grand lifestyle changes. Although ambitious, this is a shock to our system, and it’s highly likely that we’ll quickly burn out and return to our old habits.
The Atomic Habits approach is smart because we want these new habits to feel like a natural and sustainable part of our lifestyle. And ultimately, we want to be consistent enough in practice to receive their benefits and rewards.
So, to apply this to the Butterfly Effect:
The Butterfly Effect is a metaphor that explains how small events and variations (those small lifestyle changes, habits, and action steps) can lead to significant effects (the results we experience) on a larger scale over time.
No matter which habits we choose to practice, they will have a cumulative impact and will put us in a very different place in the next 30, 60, 90 days – than if we didn’t do them at all. The bigger picture is that with each one of these small habits, we’re creating the identity that pulls us towards the person that we want to become. “Each behavior is casting a vote for the person you want to be, no matter how small the action,” Clear says.
These atomic habits could be…
Drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning to hydrate your body for the day ahead
Applying sunscreen every day (even when there’s a blizzard outside, like there is for me today)
Adding a green salad to your meal or a handful of greens to your smoothie for some extra antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
Reading just one page of an inspiring book each night before going to bed to encourage a positive mindset
Doing 5-10 minutes of stretching every morning to gradually improve your flexibility
Publishing one blog post a week to sharpen your writing skills
If we make these tiny changes and follow these habits, in one month, we’ll be healthier, happier, more hydrated, and a better writer (I guess that last one is up for debate for me, lol!)
I’ll also leave you with this idea from Ed Mylett – he explains how “compound pounding” (putting in the hard work and taking consistent action) – truly adds up, and is an incredibly effective method for achieving our goals.
Let’s keep focusing on making these atomic changes to our habits, routine, self image, and overall lifestyle this year!
