Change One Thing

“Things don’t have to change the world to be important” -Steve Jobs

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” -Albert Einstein

Often, I will ask my clients to think about one little thing in their life that they could change. I explain that this would be something that they actually can control, not an external thing like a raise at work or a neighbor’s lawn. This needs to be one very small, practical, measurable thing that they can intentionally do that might make them feel just a little better, a little more peaceful, a little more in control.

I give examples like waking up 15 minutes earlier or getting to bed 15 minutes earlier. Maybe it is taking 5 minutes to read a little devotional in the morning. Maybe it is greeting the first person they see with a smile. It could be anything, but it must be small, measurable, very practical and easily replicated.

Typically, a client will agree to try something like that and practice it for a week or two and report back on the results. The point of the homework is that even very small, practical changes can make a difference in our quality of life. It does not take dramatic changes to make us feel a little more peaceful and a little bit more in control.

The point of this exercise is that we do have the power to make significant changes in our life, starting with very small, practical habits. There is an old adage, “Change one thing, change everything”. If we change one little thing in our life, we see a difference, and we are encouraged to continue that thing, and perhaps expand the practice.  

So, consider one little thing in your daily habit that you might want to change. Remember, it must be small, practical and measurable. Try it, and see what happens.

Little things make up most of our life. Added up, they make a life.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace, and the opportunities to decide to make changes, Amen