The massive power of small efforts can often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We’re so busy going through the motions that we forget to pause and reflect on our own lives. It often takes a significant event to jolt us into action. A job loss, a health scare, or a relationship breakdown wake us up when we thought we were already awake. But for me, it was a simple comment from a colleague that made me realize something profound.
I remember the moment vividly. It was like a switch had been flicked inside me, and I suddenly knew that I deserved more from life. It was a pivotal moment that set me on a new path. Within a week, I was looking for my dream job. Updating my resume, applying for hundreds of jobs, and preparing for interviews was daunting. A few short days later, a message on Facebook about an exciting job opportunity changed everything.
Realizing the Massive Power of Small Efforts
With each small step, I gained momentum and the hope to keep marching forward. Updating my C/V, portfolio, and website while applying for jobs was a hectic process, but I made time to reflect on my progress. Looking back, I saw the immense power of small efforts. By breaking down tasks into actionable steps, I accomplished more than I thought was possible.
Reviewing my old work, I saw the progress I had made over time. It was a stark contrast to where I was ten years ago. There sat an unsuccessful college student failing Japanese, on the verge of dropping out, and angry at the world. But in my darkest moments, I made a promise to myself. My goal is to self-improve, read, and take small steps toward building the life I wanted. It was through small efforts that I was able to build better habits and grow both personally and professionally.
In your own journey, there will be plateaus where progress seems to slow down. But remember the power of small efforts – even the tiniest of steps can lead to big results. And when you feel lost, reflect on the person you promised to be, and take that first small step forward.
Then and Now
It’s easy to underestimate the power of small efforts when you look at them on a daily basis. But if you stretch that time frame over months or even years, the results can be significant. It’s like planting a seed and watching it grow into a beautiful tree. Similarly, when you look in the mirror, the face you see may look the same as yesterday. Over time, the changes can be dramatic. Hopefully, someday that will entail some cyberpunk-esque cute cat ear having hot-ass cyborg body . . .that turns invisible.)
This analogy applies not just to physical changes, but also to your career, skills, and lifetime. By comparing what you were capable of in the past to your abilities now, you can see how much progress you’ve made. It’s important to remember that progress often comes in small, incremental steps. As the saying goes, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6
When I reflected on my own life, I was surprised to see just how much progress I had made. Moving to a foreign country alone was a challenging experience, but I persevered and made significant progress in other areas of my life as well. Here are three personal examples of how small efforts can have a massive impact.
Havana Remix
Work Video
Art
Small Efforts, Small Actions, Big Results
Just one small step can lead to significant changes in your life. The massive power of small efforts lies in the small moments that can transform everything. I experienced this firsthand when a one-hour car ride landed me the job I have now. Working in this position made me realize the massive value and power of small efforts and actions. Not only as a result of professional and personal growth due to being trusted by my manager.(Who loves men’s fashion if you fancy that) And funnily enough, my factory job, as I promised myself I’d work so hard I’d never work in a factory ever again.
The school where I worked is also a testament to the value of taking small steps toward a dream. The headmaster had a long-term goal of creating a British Boarding School in Japan with a focus on outdoor education. At first, it was just a vision and an empty building, but over time, it became a fully functioning school where I was working. During my time there, I learned and built systems that were being used every day in the school. This experience gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of finding a job that I truly love. It also gave me a sliver of confidence that one day I could make Laidback Lifestyle a business that fully realized my vision.
What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare ask the universe for it.
Jim Carrey
The Massive Fruit and Power of Small Efforts
After submitting my job application, I anxiously waited for a response, checking my email throughout the day. When I finally received an email inviting me to the next stage of the application process, I felt a sense of relief and validation that all the small efforts I had made were leading somewhere. While this post is not solely about the outcome, it is important to recognize the reward that comes with taking small steps toward a goal.
The next step in the hiring process was to edit a video that would be judged by actual viewers on YouTube. Despite a busy work week and a tight time frame, I took the task one small step at a time and crafted what I believed was a great video. If you enjoyed it, please show your support by commenting on the video below that Mario or applicant #10 had a banger video.
Much Love ❤ LBM
