The butterfly effect metaphor doesn’t just make a good storyline – the same principle can also help you make big changes in life. Keep reading to discover how.
You can’t change what people are without destroying who they were.
The butterfly effect theory states that when a butterfly moves its wings, it can cause a cyclone in another part of the world. It has become, in modern times, a metaphor for the existence of seemingly insignificant moments that alter history and the shape of destiny.
Let’s consider an example: Imagine you are in a work environment where you are ‘bullied’ and not understood. So you decide to take action and resign from your position. In doing so, you share with your team why you are leaving. Your team, being loyal to you, decides to resign also, because they don’t tolerate that kind of behavior.
Upon finding themselves without work, each person in the team embraces the idea that they should all start a business – as a team. They invest time and energy, and in due course, become extremely successful to the extent that they started competing with the company they used to work for. Under the strain of the relentless competition, the old company announced insolvency!
That’s an example of the butterfly effect theory – a small hidden change can result to a massive outcome. The maltreated individual resulted in the liquidation of the company years later.
These are the kinds of storylines that novelists thrive on as well!
Your Actions Have Value Far Greater Than Gold
But despite the fact that the butterfly effect might seem a bit far-fetched, it can actually be applied to our everyday lives. Think of it this way: Small things turn into big things…It’s the little things that make up the big things. By focusing on doing small daily efforts, in time, they will mount up to big changes.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture, you can change a person’s life.
How The Butterfly Effect Can Work for You
Harness the butterfly effect by doing a little progress each day that adds up to big results.
Something that I’m working on right now, is being better at remembering people’s names. The reason that we often forget people’s names literally 10 seconds after they’ve introduced themselves to us is because we are distracted – we are NOT present and conscious in this very moment.
But remembering someone’s name is not only polite, it shows respect and genuine interest. A small change like vowing to become better at this, and then working very hard to achieve it, can make a big impact on your social life and your career.
You’ll soon notice that the more you acknowledge others by remembering their name, they will do the same for you.
Confidence Is Contagious and Sexy
Confidence is key. If you don’t believe in yourself, then nobody will. People aren’t born confident – they have had to work at it. A little step at a time – and it starts with you being aware of your thoughts. This is the first rule.
The second rule is ‘talk to you’…coach yourself; talk yourself out of the unhelpful thoughts and into the good ones. It may sound crazy, but talking to yourself influences your neurobiological responses. When you consider opportunities instead of problems, then right then and there, you’ve changed your mindset.
As you start to transform your thinking, your inner critic might pay you a visit. After all, it’s been running the show for quite some time and will not like to see you embracing change. Ignore it! The more time and energy you give it, the more power it will have over you.
Challenge your inner critic with comments like ‘So what! Who cares?’ and ‘Why not? Who are you to tell me what to do now?’. Keep reminding yourself that you are harnessing ‘the butterfly effect’ by creating small changes. And remember that you are AWESOME!!!
Let’s Get Physical
The concept that the most subtle change affects other things (which build upon each other, and may eventually result in a massive change), can be difficult to deal with for some people, especially if it came all at once and are unexpected.
Imagine a drop of water falling from the tap into a sink. If the plug is in, eventually, the sink will fill up and make ripples that expand outward. All that from a single drop.
As human beings, we are like little drops of water – we are made up of about 60 percent water, after all. The fact that our actions ripple and the impact that it has as it expands outward, is more fitting than it may initially seem.
There is a cause and effect to every situation. You can’t escape the butterfly effect: no matter how hard you try. But you can learn how to harness the butterfly effect to benefit you in life.
If your mission is to make BIG changes in the universe, the more people you can gather around you to hear your calling and receive your influence, the faster and easier it will be to manifest these changes in the practical universe.
Keep in mind that you can’t opt out of your reality. No matter what you choose, a choice will be made and you will have profoundly affected the universe.
The butterfly effect is one of the most important reasons to believe that a single life can have a profound impact on the world.
*This post also appeared on the author’s blog.