Do Small Choices Today Matter For Your Long-Term Growth?
· Free Press Journal
Long-term development is very seldom the result of grandiose, once-in-a-lifetime decisions. The reality is that it is generally developed through smaller, seemingly insignificant decisions made each day that, over time, build-up and provide a foundation for continued growth. Whether in your career, relationships, health or personal development, the compounded effect of small, repeated decisions is much greater than the individual impact of any one decision made on a singular basis. Below are five examples of how daily decisions have an impact on long-term growth.
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Little things add up
The majority of us do not realize how much of an impact small actions have on us, as it is difficult to see how a single action can result in any significant change now or in the future. For example, reading a few pages each day, saving a little each month, or selecting a healthier option for dinner may not seem like things that are going to change our lives; however, when those small actions are compounded over months and years, they become habits and develop skills, and produce results. Growth is more about consistently performing the basics well than it is about performing one grand act really well.
Consistency beats intensity
Although we often feel like we are making progress when we have done something intensely for a short period of time, this kind of effort is typically not sustainable. Creating momentum requires continued action. By showing up on a daily basis, even if that is at a 60%-70% level, you are developing discipline and dependability. This is evident in the workplace, and is also valid for personal goals. Building upon small, consistent daily efforts ultimately leads to mastery. People who are year-in and year-out consistent (i.e., do not stop and go) will be rewarded with long-term growth more than those who go full speed ahead but ultimately stop.
Daily choices
Our daily actions send both signals to us, as well as the rest of the world. For instance, how we deal with deadlines, treat our colleagues, respond to setbacks, and keep our commitments creates our reputation over time. Rarely do people remember singular accomplishments; instead, they remember patterns of our behavior. As with our reputation, so too, our daily decisions will reinforce how we see ourselves. Acting consistently with integrity, curiosity and accountability builds both trust and credibility which help open opportunities in the future.
Big opportunities
Most major opportunities do not come to visit us screaming—"Hey. I'm here!" Often, they start in the form of an ordinary meeting, casual conversation or small project and later become significant turning points for us. Therefore, being prepared, engaged and proactive on most ordinary days increases the likelihood of us recognizing these opportunities and being able to pursue them. Long-term development will often favour those who treat every day as important, regardless of whether or not something extraordinary happens on that particular day.
Growth feels slow
Typically one of the biggest challenges of growing is that growth is often not easily observable in the early stages. In addition, due to the time lag between putting in the effort to develop, and actually seeing the resulting development; it is easy to perceive that growth is not occurring. Unfortunately for most of us, growth is not a linear process; it many times is a cumulative process! That is, as our development progresses, our knowledge (skills) are sharpened, our confidence is increased with our ability to draw on past experiences, and our systems are being strengthened; all within a relatively short period of time, until we hit a tipping point where we start to see rapid and significant levels of development. Those who have persevered through the slowness of their allotted growth will be those that benefit the most from the acceleration of growth when it occurs.
Although of little significance at the present time, the power of all daily decisions should not be minimized in terms of long-term growth. When we consider how consistency, thoughtfulness and patience pertain to our daily decisions, we can see how even small decisions can have an enormous and meaningful impact on who we become.
(Archana Khosla Burman, Founder, VERTICES PARTNERS & ZONE)