“She wants you to take her out.”
“Come visit me for a weekend at school.”
“Let’s go check out Exhibit Hall A.”
“But have you thought about…?”
At first glance, these statements seem small and insignificant. But every one of them changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
Life has a way of turning the tiniest moments into the most consequential outcomes. I was reminded of this over the weekend while skiing on the hill. I watched my fellow ski patrollers respond to a code on the side of the mountain, helping someone who had made just one wrong turn. A single degree off course was all it took to change their day—or even their life—forever.
The same holds true in our everyday interactions. The impact of those small moments may not reveal itself immediately—it could take days, weeks, or even years—but they carry the potential to alter the trajectory of our lives in profound ways.
One degree.
A friend of mine, Wiley, reminded me of this recently. It only takes one degree—a single small decision, action, or moment—to change someone’s life or even your own.
Think about the ripple effect of a simple “hello” to a stranger who may have lost hope.
Or the unexpected phone call to a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
Or the question someone poses to you—or you pose to yourself—that unlocks a new path forward.
As we step into the new year, many of us will make resolutions and promises to ourselves and others. If you’re one of those people, remember this:
It doesn’t take a monumental shift to make a difference. Sometimes, the smallest adjustments can have the biggest impact.
You might not see the effects right away, but believe me, one degree can set you on a course toward a future you never dreamed possible.