The Leverage Effect: How Small Decisions Can Lead to Big Changes

by Jordan Francis (Phoenix 2017) 

The new year is a time when we dream of the possibility of things being different. This will be the year we finally get the body we want, the spiritual habits we want, the job, the house, or the car.  

We all have goals, values, and aspirations, but often it’s hard to know where to start. It can be overwhelming, even paralyzing. And when we work in roles that already demand a lot, it can be easy to immerse ourselves in that position and make excuses for bad habits that make us less effective in reaching our goals.   

Let’s face it. Most of us make New Year’s resolutions we don’t keep.  

What if we tried something different this year? Something simple yet powerful.  

As I reflect on my time going through DVULI, one of the values that stuck with me the most is the core value of leverage. What small decisions/actions can you make right now that will have a large and lasting impact on your life and ministry? 

By taking a leverage-oriented approach, you can make small decisions/actions today that will have a positive impact and help you move closer to your desired future. Far too often, we make extreme life-changing goals we aren’t mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally ready to tackle. Choose your goals wisely so you can sustain the changes you make over time. 

It could be as simple as reading one book a month or dedicating 20 minutes a day to self-care activities. Small decisions like these add up over time and give you an edge without requiring massive amounts of effort in the short term. 

Here are some areas where everyone can implement leverage: 

• Exercise  
• Eating 
• Mental Health/Counseling 
• Sleep  
• Work/Life Balance  
• Family Time  
• Self-Care  
• Relationships/Marriage/Friendships  

There’s a story about a guy who wanted to lose a lot of weight but had never worked out before. He started by going to the gym every day and standing there for five minutes. Slowly, he added more time, and then he began to workout. By employing a few small acts of leverage, he prepared himself to meet his goal. 

So, in this new year, instead of making big promises (unless you are ready to), try making leverage-oriented decisions that will have long-lasting effects on your future!  

Let’s put that leverage to work in 2023, DVULI family! 

Reprinted with permission from Reframe.