Small Choices, Big Impact: How to Win Every Day

Every single day, you face choices. Some are small, like hitting snooze or getting up with the alarm. Others feel bigger, like how you respond when life punches you in the gut. At every turn, you’re either making the right choice or the wrong one—and those choices shape your future.

Are you aware of the decisions you make daily? Or are you running on autopilot, letting bad habits steer the ship? It takes 21 days to create a habit, whether it’s building a strong foundation or digging a deeper hole.

When stress hits, do you grab another drink, reach for junk food, or scroll mindlessly on your phone? Or do you lace up your running shoes, head to a yoga class, or hit a workout?

How a Navy SEAL Broke the Cycle

As a Navy SEAL, I’ve seen firsthand how bad habits can sink even the strongest individuals. In BUD/S training, the ones who quit weren’t always the weakest physically—it was the guys who let bad mental habits win.

They fed doubt instead of fighting it. They gave in to the wrong choices when things got tough. But the ones who thrived? They built good habits one small decision at a time, even under pressure.

That same mindset applies to life outside the military. I had to conquer my own bad habits. I’d catch myself turning to quick fixes instead of real solutions when stress hit. It wasn’t easy to change, but every day I made the right choice—even when it felt small—it added up to a better, stronger version of myself.

Recognize and Replace Your Habits

The first step is simple: recognize your daily habits. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Take a hard look at the choices you make when life isn’t going your way. Awareness is your starting point, and action is the next step.

Once you know what your bad habits are, work to replace them with good ones. You don’t need to overhaul your life in one day. Just aim to get 1% better every day. Those small improvements stack up over time, and before you know it, you’ve built a foundation of discipline and success.

Visualize the Win

Here’s a powerful tool: picture yourself in the future making the right choices. See the impact it has on your health, relationships, and goals. Imagine yourself choosing the gym over the couch, water over soda, and focus over distractions. That future is possible—but only if you start making those choices today.

Your SGPT Homework

This is where the rubber meets the road. Grab a pen and paper and split the page into two columns. On one side, list your good habits. On the other, write down your bad habits. Now, ask yourself: which habits do you turn to when you’re stressed? Put a checkmark next to them.

For every bad habit, write a good habit you can replace it with. For example:

Bad habit: Overeating when stressed.

Replacement: Taking a walk or drinking a glass of water.

Bad habit: Scrolling social media late at night.

Replacement: Reading a book or journaling.

This list is your battle plan. Every time stress hits or life feels chaotic, refer to it. Start building those better habits now, and watch how your life transforms one choice at a time.

The Bottom Line

Your daily choices define your future. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to change—it doesn’t exist. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your life improve by 1% every single day. Make the right choice now, and you’ll thank yourself later. Get after it.

About the Author:

Chasing big goals?

Whether it’s a Spartan Race, GORUCK event, Tough Mudder, or SEALFIT 20X Challenge, Coach Brad McLeod—former Navy SEAL—is here to help.

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