The Butterfly Effect of Personal Change

How One Decision Can Create a Greater Impact.

Photo by Quang Nguyen from Pexels.

“If the flap of a butterfly’s wings can be instrumental in generating a tornado, it can equally well be instrumental in preventing a tornado.” — Edward Lorenz

As individuals, we can dismiss our actions as inconsequential to larger systems, such as the global environment or economy. “What difference does it make if I recycle or not? It’s not going to save the planet.” “I’m just one person; what difference can I make in the world?”

But, when we adopt a systemic mindset, we recognize that small actions can have a multiplying effect. 

This is known as the butterfly effect — named after the chaos theory, which states that a slight change in one area can have significant, long-term results in another. 

In other words, we are all connected — and what we do matters!