Why Big Changes Fail (and Why Tiny, Silly Steps Are the Real MVPs), Mind Sculpture Part 3
Written by Chandra Eden, The True Me Yogi
One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way
Author: Robert Maurer, Ph.D.
"Small actions form the basis of most kaizen programs for change, for an obvious reason. No matter how much you prepare or practice small questions and small thoughts, eventually you must enter the arena of action. This is true whether you plan to hang out a shingle for your new business or confront a difficult family member. But since this is kaizen, your first actions will be very small ones. So small that you might find them odd or even silly. That's okay. It's helpful to have a sense of humor when you're trying to change your life...
...These little actions usually sound bizarre to the uninitiated, but if you have struggled to make a big change - to drop twenty pounds, to change careers, or to steady a sinking romance - and failed, then you might appreciate how small changes can help. Remember, big, bold efforts to make a change can be counterproductive. Many of these efforts don't take into account the weighty obstacles that may lie in the path,: a lack of time, tight budgets, or a deeply ingrained resistance to change. As we've learned, radical programs for change can arouse your hidden and not so hidden doubts and fears. (What if I fail? What if I achieve my goal and I'm still unhappy?), setting off the amygdala's alarms. Your brain responds to this fear with skyrocketing levels of stress hormones and lower levels of creativity instead of the positive, consistent energy you need to reach your long term goals.
Small actions take very little time or money and are agreeable even to those of us who haven't laid up bulk supplies of willpower. Small actions tricked the brain into thinking: Hey, this is change is so tiny that it's no big deal. No need to get worked up. No risk of failure or unhappiness here.
By outfoxing the fear response, small actions allow the brain to build up new, permanent habits at a pace that may be surprisingly brisk."
Why Big Changes Fail (and Why Tiny, Silly Steps Are the Real MVPs)
Let’s talk about change. Not the kind you find in your couch cushions, but the kind that keeps you up at night. Maybe you want to lose weight, start a business, or finally have that awkward-but-necessary conversation with your cousin about why they keep borrowing your Netflix password. Whatever it is, you’ve probably been told to “go big or go home.” But here’s the thing: going big often means going home disappointed.
Big, bold changes sound sexy in theory, but in practice? They’re like trying to eat an entire pizza in one bite—messy, overwhelming, and likely to end in tears. That’s where the magic of small actions comes in. They’re unassuming, they’re sneaky, and they’re surprisingly effective at outsmarting your brain’s fear response. Let’s explore why tiny steps are the unsung heroes of self-improvement—and why it’s okay if they feel a little ridiculous.
The Problem with Big, Bold Moves
We’ve all been there. You wake up one morning, fueled by caffeine and optimism, and decide today is the day you’re going to change your life. You sign up for a marathon, throw out all the junk food in your pantry, or quit your job to “follow your passion.” Fast forward a week, and you’re sore, hungry, and Googling “how to un-quit my job.”
Why does this happen? Because big changes trigger big fears. Your brain, specifically the amygdala (a.k.a. the drama queen of your nervous system), starts screaming, “What if I fail? What if this is too hard? What if I succeed and still feel empty inside?” This fear floods your body with stress hormones, zaps your creativity, and leaves you paralyzed. In other words, your brain sabotages you before you even get started.
The Genius of Small Actions
Small actions, on the other hand, are like the stealth ninjas of change. They’re so tiny, your brain doesn’t even notice them sneaking past its defenses. Instead of triggering fear, they trick your brain into thinking, “Oh, this is no big deal. I can handle this.” And just like that, you’re on your way to building new habits without the drama.
Here’s why small actions work:
They’re Manageable: You don’t need a ton of time, money, or willpower to take a tiny step.
They Build Momentum: Each small win gives you a little dopamine boost, making you want to keep going.
They Rewire Your Brain: Over time, these tiny steps create new neural pathways, making the behavior feel natural and automatic.
How to Start Small (and Why It Might Feel Silly)
The beauty of small actions is that they’re, well, small. But that also means they might feel a little ridiculous at first. And that’s okay! Embrace the silliness—it’s part of the charm. Here are some examples:
1. Want to Start Exercising?
Don’t commit to a 5 a.m. boot camp. Start by putting on your workout clothes. That’s it. Just put them on.
Next, do one push-up. Yes, just one. (Bonus points if you make it a dramatic, slow-motion push-up for comedic effect.)
Gradually build up to a full workout, but only when you’re ready.
2. Want to Eat Healthier?
Don’t throw out all your snacks and go full kale. Start by adding one vegetable to your dinner plate.
Or, if that feels like too much, just look at a vegetable. (Okay, maybe that’s too small, but you get the idea.)
3. Want to Have a Tough Conversation?
Don’t dive into the deep end with a three-hour heart-to-heart. Start by writing down what you want to say.
Practice saying it out loud to yourself or a trusted friend.
When you’re ready, have a short, low-stakes version of the conversation.
Why Small Actions Aren’t “Cheating”
Some people might dismiss small actions as “too easy” or “not real change.” To those people, I say: Have you ever tried to change anything? Because real change is hard, and small actions are the secret sauce that makes it doable.
Think of it like building a house. You don’t start by throwing up walls and a roof—you start with a single brick. It might not look like much at first, but brick by brick, you’re creating something solid and lasting. Small actions are those bricks. They’re not flashy, but they get the job done.
The Humor in Tiny Steps
One of the best things about small actions is that they often come with a side of humor. There’s something inherently funny about celebrating a “win” like putting on your sneakers or eating one baby carrot. But that humor is actually a superpower. It keeps the process light, fun, and sustainable. After all, if you can laugh at yourself, you’re less likely to give up when things get tough.
So go ahead—celebrate your tiny victories. Do a victory dance after your one push-up. High-five yourself for eating that carrot. Post a selfie in your workout clothes, even if you never made it to the gym. Change doesn’t have to be so serious.
The Ripple Effect of Small Actions
Here’s the sneaky thing about small actions: they don’t stay small. Over time, they create a ripple effect that leads to big, meaningful change. That one push-up turns into a daily workout routine. That one vegetable becomes a healthier diet. That one conversation opens the door to better relationships.
And the best part? Because you started small, the change feels natural and sustainable—not like a Herculean effort that leaves you burned out.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Sane
If you’ve been struggling to make a big change, take a deep breath and let yourself off the hook. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. You don’t have to “go big or go home.” You just have to take one tiny, silly, manageable step. And then another. And another.
Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come. And if anyone asks how you did it, you can smile and say, “Oh, I just started by putting on my sneakers.”