What Could You Have Done Today to Change Your Life?
As the year winds down, let me challenge you with a fresh perspective. Forget the usual highlight reel of wins and losses—let’s zoom in closer. Right here, right now.
Ask yourself: What if today had been the day that defined your future?
It sounds dramatic, but science says it’s not. Studies show that life-changing opportunities rarely come in big, obvious packages. More often, they show up disguised as ordinary moments—an email you almost didn’t send, a “yes” you were too afraid to say, or a fleeting idea you dismissed as unrealistic.
Think about it: What tiny action, decision, or risk did you pass on today simply because it felt too small to matter?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: The path to transformation doesn’t arrive with a neon sign. It’s buried in the choices you barely notice—the ones that could either spark momentum or quietly keep you stuck. And yes, those choices are shaping your future, whether you realise it or not.
Still with me? Good. Because this isn’t about regret. It’s about waking up to the fact that change isn’t waiting for the perfect moment. It’s waiting for you to notice it.
The Science of Bold Choices
Recent research from Harvard University delves into what separates people who achieve lasting, fulfilling change from those who remain stuck in the status quo. It’s not talent, luck, or even resources. It’s willingness to take action in the face of uncertainty.
In one study, participants who embraced micro-decisions outside their comfort zones—even seemingly trivial ones, like speaking up in a meeting or starting a new hobby—reported higher levels of personal growth and satisfaction six months later compared to their more cautious peers.
Another study from the University of California showed that people who consistently practiced “mental flexibility”—a fancy term for being open to new ideas, people, or perspectives—were more likely to identify life-changing opportunities. In fact, the brain becomes more adept at spotting possibilities when you train it to look for the unexpected.
Here’s the bottom line: Change doesn’t come from monumental acts of willpower. It comes from tiny, bold decisions that compound over time.
Do You Have the Courage to See Things Differently?
Ask yourself: Do I have the guts to look at my life without filters or excuses?
Most of us think we’re open-minded, but let’s be real—our brains are biased as hell. We gravitate toward what’s comfortable, what confirms our beliefs, and what feels safe. That’s why it’s so important to actively challenge your perspective.
Take a hard look at the areas of your life that feel stagnant or dissatisfying. Is it your work? Your relationships? Your health? Here’s a truth bomb: If you’re not making a choice, you’re still making a choice.
Choosing to stay in a job that drains you, not having that difficult conversation, or skipping that workout—it’s all choice. And it’s keeping you exactly where you are.
How to Open Up to Possibilities in 2025
If you’re ready to do more than just “hope” for a better year, here are three scientifically-backed ways to start making better choices:
1. Ask Yourself the Tough Questions Daily
Set aside five minutes every evening to ask, “What could I have done today that might have changed my life?” Write it down. The point isn’t to wallow in regret but to train your mind to recognize opportunities in real-time.
2. Experiment with Micro-Risks
The next time you’re faced with a choice that scares you a little, take it. Sign up for the workshop. Say yes to the coffee meeting. Speak up in that room. These small risks will snowball into bigger, bolder decisions.
3. Surround Yourself with Brave Minds
Who you spend time with matters. A lot. Studies from Stanford University show that people are 30% more likely to make significant life changes when surrounded by others who are also taking risks and chasing growth.
What Will You Choose?
As 2024 fades, it’s time to stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and start asking the right questions.
Your life doesn’t change because of a big New Year’s resolution or some grand, Instagram-worthy moment. It changes when you make one brave choice after another—starting today.
So, let me ask you one more time:
What could you have done today to change your life?
Answer that honestly, and you just might uncover the seeds of your best year yet.
Contact me if you like to take a closer look at those small or big actions and decisions !
– By Bianca Kersten 2024