Tiny Choices, Big Impact (S4) S44 E6

Welcome to the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast! I’m John C. Morley—Serial Entrepreneur, Engineer, Marketing Specialist, Video Producer, Podcast Host, Coach, Graduate Student, and a passionate lifelong learner. With a track record of unlocking workplace motivation, elevating leadership, and helping others harness the power of action, I’m here to guide you on a journey through practical wisdom and personal growth. Whether you’re seeking a burst of inspiration, actionable tools for success, or meaningful stories to elevate your mindset, you’re in the right place. Let’s turn your workplace—and your life—into a hub of creativity and engagement. Connect with me on Instagram @JohnCMorleySerialEntrepreneur, visit believemeachieve.com, and let’s get inspired together!​

Tiny Choices, Big Impact (S4) S44 E6 Here’s a paragraph for each point, ready for your reading:

[1️⃣] Every small act of kindness creates a ripple you may never see. When you do something thoughtful, its impact often travels far beyond that moment. Small gestures, like holding a door or sharing a smile, can spark a cascade of kindness in others—a ripple effect that quietly elevates the world around you.​

[2️⃣] Saying “thank you” can transform someone’s day—and yours. Expressing gratitude isn’t just polite—it’s powerful. When you say “thank you,” you acknowledge someone’s effort and lift their spirit, deepening your connection and bringing positive energy into your own day.​

[3️⃣] Integrity is built one honest decision at a time. Integrity isn’t forged overnight. It’s shaped through countless, consistent choices. Each moment of honesty—especially when no one’s watching—cements your character and builds genuine trust.​

[4️⃣] Holding the door open for a stranger is a micro-act of respect. This simple act sends a clear message: everyone deserves courtesy. By pausing for someone else, you demonstrate respect for their time and presence—a powerful gesture in our fast-paced world.​

[5️⃣] Returning a lost item is a tiny choice with outsized meaning. When you choose to return something that isn’t yours, you’re practicing integrity in its purest form. This small action often means more to the recipient than you’ll ever know and sets a silent standard for your community.​

[6️⃣] Giving credit boosts morale—and your reputation. Celebrating someone else’s contribution is a sign of strong leadership and humility. When you give credit, you lift others, foster teamwork, and build a reputation for generosity and fairness.​

[7️⃣] Pausing before you react often reveals your truest wisdom. Taking a moment to reflect before responding allows you to act out of intention, not impulse. This pause is where thoughtful solutions—and true growth—begin.​

[8️⃣] Picking up litter you didn’t drop is leading by example. By cleaning up after others, you show that leadership is about action, not words. These tiny choices signal responsibility and inspire those who witness them to follow suit.​

[9️⃣] Smiling at someone struggling tells them they’re seen. In just a second, your smile can ease someone’s burden and remind them they matter. This gesture radiates empathy, encouragement, and the simple power of human connection.​

[🔟] Listening deeply is a powerful act of caring. Giving your full attention tells people they are valued. Deep listening fosters trust, helps others feel understood, and sets the stage for authentic relationships.​

[1️⃣1️⃣] Admitting a mistake earns more trust than hiding it. Owning up to slip-ups demonstrates humility and courage. It builds a culture of transparency and invites others to grow without fear of judgment.​

[1️⃣2️⃣] Helping someone without being asked is the mark of true character. Stepping in before you’re asked proves thoughtfulness and a genuine spirit of service—qualities that set true leaders apart.​

[1️⃣3️⃣] Speaking up against gossip preserves dignity—every time. Refusing to participate in gossip shields others from harm and upholds the dignity of all. Your silence, or better yet, your voice, can redirect conversations toward kindness.​

[1️⃣4️⃣] Holding back a harsh word is a practice in wisdom. Restraint isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. When you pause and choose kinder words, you diffuse tension and model emotional intelligence for others.​

[1️⃣5️⃣] Sharing your umbrella can rescue someone from a storm—literally and figuratively. Offering shelter, whether from rain or life’s challenges, is generosity in action. These moments remind us that small gestures can make a world of difference.​

[1️⃣6️⃣] Turning off unnecessary lights saves energy—and shows mindfulness. Mindfulness isn’t just a personal practice; it extends to everyday actions like conserving resources. These choices show respect for our world and responsibility to future generations.​

[1️⃣7️⃣] Complimenting effort, not just results, encourages growth. When you re

Episode Transcript

(00:23):
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here.
Good morning, for those of you that are
joining me early in the morning.
We've been starting the shows early, if you
guys didn't notice.
It's been working out better for everyone, so
you can watch them whenever you want, obviously.
But welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
If this is the very first time you're
here, I want to take this opportunity to
personally thank you and welcome you from the
bottom of my heart.

(00:44):
If you're coming back, well, of course, welcome
back and thank you.
I always appreciate people that like my content
and want to keep soaking up more and
making this a part of their daily life.
So if you remember on Saturday, guys, we
started off with a very, very amazing –
we always have great master topics, you know

(01:04):
that.
And that master topic that we kicked off
with on Saturday is everyday wisdom on doing
what's right.
We'll get to the granular in just a
moment.
But again, if you are new here or
not and you have not heard about BelieveMeAchieve
.com, why not check that out right after
the show?
A great place to go, that's BelieveMeAchieve.com.

(01:27):
You can get my short-form content, long
-form content, my articles, and so much more.
And it's available 24 hours a day.
So why not check that out?
All right, guys, if you're thirsty – I
just had breakfast.
But if you're thirsty, feel free to get
yourself an orange juice, maybe something hot, maybe
something cold.
It could be breakfast.
It could be a snack.

(01:48):
It could be nuts.
It could be fruit.
It could be something salty, tart, healthy or
not, or sweet.
That's totally up to you, guys.
So without any further ado, let's kick this
show off, all right?
So welcome to the Inspirations for Your Life
podcast.
I am John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
And as I said, it is a privilege

(02:09):
and a pleasure to be with you here
today.
I'm also an engineer, marketing specialist, video producer,
podcast host, coach, graduate student, and, of course,
a passionate lifelong learner.
And it is my privilege to welcome you
here today.
With a track of record to unlocking workplace
motivation, elevating leadership, and helping others harness the

(02:34):
power of action, I'm here to guide you
on a journey through practical wisdom and personal
growth.
Whether you're seeking a burst of inspiration, actionable
tools for success, or meaningful stories to elevate
your current mindset, you're in the right place.
Let's turn your workplace and your personal life

(02:56):
into a hub of creativity and, of course,
engagement.
You can always connect with me on Instagram
or by going to BelieveMeAchieve.com and getting
all my other social media.
Again, that's available after the show.
You definitely want to pay attention to the
show now.
So if everybody's ready, let's get you inspired
together, all right?
So today's granular topic is tiny choices, big

(03:20):
impact.
We're on series four, show 44, episode number
six.
So I think it's important to understand this,
right?
Number one, every small act of kindness creates
a ripple you may never see.

(03:40):
When you do something thoughtful, its impact often
travels far beyond that moment.
Small gestures like holding a door or sharing
a smile can spark a cascade of kindness
in others, a ripple effect, I'll call it,
that quietly elevates the world around you.

(04:00):
Number two, guys, saying the word, you ready?
Thank you.
That word oftentimes is not said.
It's implied, but it needs to be said.
Saying thank you can simply transform someone's day
and yours.
It's very easy.
It's free to say thank you.

(04:22):
Thank you for being here, everyone.
Expressing gratitude isn't just polite.
It's powerful.
Thank you.
When you say thank you, you acknowledge someone's
effort and lift their spirit, deepening your connection
and bringing positive energy into your own day
and, of course, theirs.

(04:44):
Number three, guys, integrity.
I talk a lot about integrity.
Integrity is built upon honest decision at a
time.
Integrity isn't forged overnight.
It's shaped through countless consistent choices.
Each moment of honesty, especially when no one's

(05:05):
watching, cements your character and builds genuine trust.
Okay?
That's important, guys.
Number four, holding the door open for a
stranger is a micro act of respect.
We've been talking about a lot of micro
acts this week.
This simple act sends a clear message, everyone

(05:26):
deserves courtesy.
By pausing for someone else, you demonstrate respect
for their time and presence.
A powerful gesture in our fast-paced world.
I think that's important to realize.
Number five, returning a lost item is a
tiny choice with outsized meaning.
We talked about this with my mom's dry

(05:46):
clean plant and how we always return money.
And a lot of times before we had
the cleaners and even after, I go back
and I had a $50 or $100 bill
there, and it's like there was no $50
or no $100.
I know there was.
Well, there wasn't.
So when you choose to return something that
isn't yours, you're practicing integrity in its purest

(06:09):
form.
This small action often means more to the
recipient than you'll ever know.
And it sets a silent standard for your
community.
All the times when we return money or
a wallet, we have a reward, we don't
want a reward.
Just we appreciate your business.
Number six, giving credit boosts morale and your

(06:30):
reputation.
Celebrating someone else's contribution is a sign of
strong leadership and humility.
When you give credit, you lift others, you
foster teamwork, and you build a reputation for
generosity and fairness.
And I think that's something a lot of

(06:50):
people miss is that you need to understand
that our world is karmic.
Even though you might not see the returns
immediately, our world is definitely karmic.
Number seven, pausing before you react often reveals
your truest wisdom.
Sometimes if you're in the heat of the
moment, I tell people to just take a

(07:11):
deep breath.
Count to five, one, two, three, four, five,
and exhale.
And then react.
Or maybe you need to count to 10.
It's up to you, depending on your moment
there.
Taking a moment to reflect before responding allows
you to act out of intention, not impulse.

(07:32):
Sometimes somebody says something to you and you
really just want to lash out.
So just take a deep breath, inhale, hold
it for the count of 10, and exhale.
Pretty easy.
So this simple effective pause is where thoughtful

(07:53):
solutions and true growth begin.
Picking up litter you didn't drop is leading
by example, right?
Now I'm not telling you to pick up
something that's very dirty, but something that's just
standard.
And I know a lot of times in
our world we're careful about just picking up
a piece of paper, and I understand why.

(08:13):
Because of the anthrax and because of different
things that could be put on there.
That could be things that get right to
your nerves, and they could knock you out,
and people could do bad things to you.
So I get why that might happen.
By cleaning up after others, you show that
leadership is about action.
It's not words.
Many politicians, many leaders, they all think it's

(08:34):
about big fancy words, but it's really about
action.
These tiny choices signal responsibility and inspire those
who witness them to follow a suit, which
is to go and tag with them.
Number nine, smiling.
Smiling at someone struggling tells them they're seen.

(08:55):
In just a second, your smile can ease
someone's burden and remind them they matter.
This simple, heartfelt gesture radiates empathy, encouragement, and
the simple power of human connection.
Why not try that?
I think that's an important one.
Okay, listening deeply is a powerful act of

(09:20):
caring.
Giving your full attention tells people they are
truly valued.
Deep listening fosters trust, helps others feel understood,
and sets the stage for authentic relationships.
Number 11, guys.
Admitting a mistake earns more trust than hiding

(09:40):
it.
Owning up to slip-ups demonstrates humility and
courage.
It builds a culture of transparency and invites
others to grow without fear of judgment.
I know a lot of the new generation
now, everybody wants to just shove everything under
the rug and kind of blame someone else.
But that's not really going to do anything

(10:00):
for you or the people around you, and
it's going to create a lot of hurt
feelings.
Number 12, helping someone without being asked is
the mark of true character and what I
consider excellence.
Stepping in before you're asked proves thoughtfulness and

(10:20):
a genuine spirit of service.
And it qualifies, too, that sets the true
leaders apart from those that are merely just
talking, right?
We can do this with our mouth up
all day long, but if we don't act,
well, then we're just a showpiece.
Number 13, speaking up against gossip.

(10:42):
I've said this time in and time out.
I don't care whether you're in grammar school,
whether you're in high school or college or
even an adult in a social group like
a PTA or even someplace you're volunteering.
We're supposed to be there for the greater

(11:03):
good of all concerned.
But sometimes gossip just gets a hold of
our ear, and it's like, oh, we want
to do that.
Just turn away from that, OK?
Don't gossip because when you don't gossip, it
preserves the dignity every time.
Anybody can gossip.
Anybody can do the wrong thing.
Anybody can act in a way that is

(11:24):
unprofessional, act in a way that is, let's
say, inappropriate.
But that doesn't show your character as being
good.
It shows you as being somebody who's selfish.
Nobody wants to be selfish, right?
Refusing to participate in gossip shields others from

(11:44):
harm and upholds the dignity of all.
You probably remember times when gossip took place.
I still remember times when I was in
high school and had some friends.
And, you know, it's like all friends gossip
back then.
And they were friends, but I don't know.

(12:05):
I wouldn't consider them my top friends because
at the end of the day, they were
always looking for something that was better for
them.
They were never looking to be helpful to
me all the time.
It was only if it was convenient or
I could do something for them.
So they were acquaintances, and we'll call them
friends, but I don't know.

(12:25):
They didn't always act like friends.
They acted in the moment to do whatever
was best for them.
Did they care about dignity?
Did they care about what they did?
Not really.
Did they care that they were trying to
cheat on me off of a test when
they didn't study?
And, oh, come on, we're friends.

(12:46):
Yeah, that's not right.
And, you know, it's a point where sometimes
the act that they do causes the friendship
to be sacrificed.
And if that happens, guys, and they don't

(13:06):
mend their ways, their friendship was never meant
to be.
And so pushing it is just going to
harm you and harm them.
Okay?
I think that's important to understand.

(13:27):
Okay?
Very important to understand that because if you
don't understand that, then I think you're going
to be very mistaken by things in life.
I'm just being honest with you.
All right?
Because harm can set in to you, and
it can set in to others.
And your silence or better in this moment,

(13:48):
okay, can show your voice, can redirect conversation.
Better yet, walk away.
People do these things because they're looking for
approval.
And I got news for you.
If somebody needs to gossip to be made
felt good, then that's somebody I want to

(14:09):
hang around with.
I've even seen this at church.
Now, I'm not here to name people out,
but I'm telling you, I've seen this right
in my own congregation where people are gossiping.
We're supposed to be in a place to
hold God's word and the Lord's word, and
people gossip.

(14:32):
Number 14, guys, holding back a harsh word
is a practice in wisdom.
Restraint isn't weakness.
It's wisdom.
When you pause and choose kinder words, you
diffuse tension and model emotional intelligence for others.

(14:54):
That's important, guys.
Number 15, sharing your umbrella can rescue someone
from a storm, literally and figuratively.
Offering shelter, whether from rain or life's challenges,
it's all about generosity and action.

(15:15):
And these moments remind us that small gestures
can make a world of difference.
It doesn't just have to be giving your
jacket to someone on a date.
It could be someone that needs your help,
like I said, an umbrella helping somebody across
the street.
It could be an elderly person.
It could be someone the same age as
you, younger, older.
And you show that humility, that compassion.

(15:37):
Whether they can do something for you or
not, it doesn't matter.
In fact, we're always taught help the people
who can't help back because then you know
you're really giving.
Number 16, turning off unnecessary lights saves energy,
right?
And it shows mindfulness.
Mindfulness isn't just a personal practice.

(15:58):
It extends to everyday actions like conserving resources.
These choices show respect for our world and
responsibility to future generations.
The question I have is why aren't people
doing this every day?
Are they lazy?
I think they become complacent and they feel

(16:20):
that they can just do whatever they want
because the world's going to just adapt to
their ways.
That's a very selfish attitude.
Number 17, complementing effort, not just the results,
encourages growth.
When you recognize the process, not just the
outcome, you inspire persistence and resilience.

(16:42):
Complementing effort helps people stay motivated and learn
from the journey.
I think that's important.
We all want to learn in life, but
sometimes we're not at the point where others
are.
And so we need a little bit of
encouragement.
You know, hey, you're on the right track.
Yes, you're doing that right or yes, keep
doing that.

(17:02):
You're going to get there.
Those are important things, guys.
Number 18, number 18 is important.
Leaving things better than you found them leaves
a legacy.
Maybe you rented a room somewhere.
Maybe you borrowed something from someone and you
always leave the place better than the way

(17:24):
you found it.
And if you borrow something, you always give
it back, hopefully in the same or better
condition than when you borrowed it.
See, choosing to improve your surroundings, however small
the change is, it's a quiet act of
stewardship.
And this continual improvement isn't what builds a
meaningful – is what builds a meaningful legacy,

(17:46):
I should say.
Because these little mindful acts get us to
realize, hey, you know what?
I can make a difference in this world.
I can make changes.
My tiny choices today that I decide to
make will empower big impact.
My show that I have on the air
here makes tiny choices.

(18:10):
It has the power to give people big
impact.
And my show is all about truth.
It's all about integrity.
That's important to me, and I hope that's
important to my viewers and listeners.
Number 19, guys.
Letting someone merge during rush hour is a

(18:32):
silent act of kindness.
Even in the stressful moments, courtesy matters.
Allowing someone to merge shows patience, generosity, and
awareness of others.
Why don't more people do this?
And it values us, and it makes daily
life much smoother.

(18:53):
Not just for us, guys, but it makes
it smoother for everyone else.
And I think, you know, you've all been
there where you're trying to get over, and
you can't.
And then somebody gives you a wave or
something.
Every time somebody lets me through, I always
give a wave here and a wave in
the back.
Like, thank you.
Sometimes people will blink their lights at me,
and I'm so grateful.
I'm like, well, thank you.
And I literally say thank you, and I
wave.

(19:14):
And I think that's important to realize, is
that we need to say thank you.
Not because we have to, but because we
should want to.
And when we do this, it makes that
person feel better.
And guess what?
They want to do that again to maybe
someone else.
And hopefully, you'll want to do that, right?
I hope that makes sense.
Number 20, guys, our awareness.

(19:36):
Noticing someone's sadness is a first step to
helping, right?
Empathy begins with observation.
By noticing and acknowledging another's sorrow, you open
the door to comfort and meaningful support.
Acknowledging what's around you in your life allows

(19:59):
things to be much better.
Acknowledge, acknowledge, acknowledge, acknowledge.
Number 21, guys, standing up for fairness, even
when alone.
It teaches us to build strength.
Championing fairness sometimes means standing alone.

(20:21):
These moments test us and ultimately strengthen your
convictions and inspire change in those watching.
Sometimes you're like, well, no one else is
standing with me.
Sometimes success is a lonely road.
And sometimes people on that road are selfish.

(20:42):
You'll find that the true leaders on that
road who give of themselves, who want to
harbor empathy with others, are the true leaders.
Number 22, guys, generosity.
It's not just a word.

(21:05):
Generously sharing resources shows you believe in abundance.
You could be sharing things like, I don't
know, something you have.
It could be a possession of yours that
you let somebody borrow.
Maybe you have candy and you share that
candy with somebody.
Maybe that makes a difference for somebody.

(21:28):
Maybe.
But abundance comes from a mindset.
There was a great lady, Louise Hay, who
said something very interesting.
She said, I'm worthy of everything I desire,
and it's already on its way to me.
That's a belief.
And when we start changing our words to

(21:50):
believe in abundance, our outer world eventually conforms
to that.
Not overnight, but it does conform to those
new standards.
And the willingness to share reveals a mindset
rooted in abundance, not scarcity.
Generosity encourages a culture of plenty, collaboration, and
genuine community.

(22:13):
Genuine community.
When you go to an event, maybe it's
a school picnic, maybe it's a parish picnic.
Maybe you go to, like we have a
hospitality time at our church every, I think
it's like once a month.
Are the people there all hospitable?

(22:33):
And I have to be honest with you
and tell you, the answer to that is
no.
Most people coming, I will tell you, three
out of five people are hospitable.
The other people are all kind of like,
they're all in their own world.
They're all selfish.
And it makes me wonder, why do they

(22:54):
call it, you know, Hospitality Sunday?
Most people aren't hospitable, including the people running
it.
So why would you give up your time
to be hospitable when you really hate being
hospitable?
Like, why?
It just rocks my mind, okay?

(23:17):
Number 23.
Checking in on a friend can change the
course of their week.
A simple check-in can mean the world
to someone.
Proactive caring builds bonds, dispels loneliness, and sometimes
even alters the trajectory of someone's week.

(23:37):
That's right, I said the trajectory of someone's
week.
Their whole path, their whole belief of how
the week is going to turn out.
All because of what one person said or
the kindness that was shown by that person.
Do you exhibit one act of kindness every

(23:57):
day?
If you don't, start doing that today or
tomorrow.
I guarantee your life's going to be much
better.
Number 24.
Volunteering for chores no one wants demonstrates humility.
Doing the less glamorous tasks showcases humility and

(24:18):
service.
These acts earn respect and nurture team spirit.
And it's important to realize that we're not
doing this to put ourselves on a pedal
and show we're doing it.
No, we want to do it in secret.
Maybe there's people we're volunteering with, but you
don't need to let everyone know that you're
doing this.
If you want to let somebody know because
you have a time zone, you're doing this.

(24:39):
But it's not there to brag and say,
hey, you know, I'm volunteering at the church
or I'm doing this.
That's not why you do it.
You do it for the quiet reason.
I think if I volunteer and somebody said,
what do you do?
Oh, I'm volunteering.
And I didn't say it to boost myself.
I said it because it slipped, but I
try not to say it because I don't
want to share that.

(25:00):
It's something personal.
Number 25.
Forgiving tiny grievances frees your spirit daily.
Letting go especially of the small stuff lightens
your emotional load and paves the way for
joy, peace, and stronger relationships.
See, guys, that's the important thing.

(25:20):
Number 26.
Focusing on solutions rather than the blame of
others in action.
A solution-oriented mindset transforms obstacles into opportunities.
This approach sparks creativity and progress, empowering everyone
to rise above the challenges they may be
facing.
Number 27.

(25:40):
Prompt apologies mend more than fences.
They mend hearts.
Apologizing quickly and sincerely soothes conflict and heals
relationships, laying the groundwork for deeper trust and
understanding.
I think that's a very important one.
Number 28.
Refusing shortcuts for integrity's sake builds reputation.

(26:02):
Taking the high road when easier paths are
tempting strengthens your reputation, sets a clear example,
and builds lasting respect.
I said do what's right even when no
one else is watching.
Not because you have to, but because you
should want to, and because that will instill
the integrity that you want to live for.

(26:25):
And you want to model others to live
for.
Talking about integrity is one thing, but following
an example is another.
And it's really important to live with integrity
and humility.
Number 29, guys.
Taking responsibility quietly is the loudest wisdom you
can show.
Responsibility often speaks loudest in action.
Not words, guys.

(26:46):
Quiet accountability inspires others far more than self
-promotion.
That's important, guys.
And our last point for today.
Number 30.
I've mentioned this before.
Celebrating others' wins.
Not just your own wins.
Celebrate their wins, their birthdays, their accomplishments, their
job hires.

(27:07):
It's good for everyone.
You see, true celebration of others spreads positivity.
It creates momentum.
And it lifts entire communities higher.
A win for one can be fuel for
all.
Let's stop being selfish.
Each practice fosters a culture where acknowledgement, gratitude,

(27:30):
and celebration fuel tangible growth, satisfaction, and high
performance.
I invite you to tune to Inspirations for
Your Life for more actionable insights.
Connect and elevate your journey with me today
and every day.
Remember to go to BelieveMeAchieved.com and share
this with a friend, colleague, associate, or family
member.
And I know they'll be glad you did.

(27:52):
And you'll be glad you did.
Because when you share my teachings, they will
be ingrained in you that much stronger.
I hope you have a great rest of
your day or evening.
Be well, everyone.