Small decisions — we make many of these every day without realizing just how much of an influence they truly have on our lives.

When we brush our teeth every morning, we are practicing the fundamentals of personal hygiene. This simple act has just reduced our likelihood of developing gum disease or cavities, although we may not see it as anything more than part of our standard morning routine at times. That being said, by focusing on the short-term goals of our days, we fail to acknowledge the long-term implications a simple act can have.

Upon waking up, we may eat breakfast, go for a run, browse through our apps, and head off to work; all of these activities are based on small choices that have formed the basis of who we are and what we do in our daily lives. If you center your life around health and fitness, your choices will reflect that. If you are career oriented, people will tend to come to that conclusion by seeing your work ethic. All in all, how you are perceived and the long-term accomplishments you tend to have are reflected first and foremost by the small decisions you make. You cannot reach the top of the stairs without first going up each individual step. Accordingly, you may not find success unless you account for all the small steps you will need to take to get there.

Our simple choices to do or not do something may stem from a conscious thought process at one point but they can quickly become instinctual and habitual. This is why becoming mindful of the fact that one simple decision can lead to something greater or much more well-established is critical. Brushing your teeth every day is a habit, as is going for a walk after dinner, drinking a liter of water before eating, and heading to the gym after work. Habits always stem from small choices, so consider the habits you do today and reflect on how they started. The decisions you did not make in the past have also played a role in directing you onto the path you are on now.

Successful figures are where they are today because they chose to take numerous steps that accumulated and resulted in a positive outcome. Athletes are not victorious solely because of their genetic influences, but because they commit to setting aside time to practice each day with unwavering determination. Becoming physically fit is not unreachable, and neither is starting a new habit. It is what you choose to prioritize that will have an impact on how you spend your time. The daily choice to prioritize fitness in your life can lead you onto a consistent path of health and wellness, which will allow you to reap many health benefits. This all begins, though, with a small decision to incorporate physical activity into your daily routines.

Furthermore, you will not gain muscle mass unless you dedicate time towards building some by practicing strength-training exercises on a weekly basis while continuously challenging yourself. You may also not achieve your desired weight and keep it stable unless you change your diet and include more plant-based foods. A simple decision every day to skip the couch nap for a gym session, or to eat a banana and oatmeal rather than a donut and a candy bar, may bring you closer to your goals. Creating a personal health regime begins with a small act, and with consistency, you are bound to enjoy the overall results it can produce.

If you decide to eat fast-food every day, perhaps due to the convenience and affordability it might bring to your life, you are much more likely to be directed towards a path of potential health risks and nutritional deficiencies. Again, this is why it is important to consider all of the small choices you make, especially those that you think are so insignificant because it can have life-changing consequences. Instead, fuel your body with nutrients that will not only satsfy your cravings, but also keep you healthy in the long run.

The career path you find yourself on is also founded on the notion that your daily choices dictate your future. That part-time or full-time job may be overbearing or may not seem that in-line with your career goals, but your current connections with those around you may govern how successful your job searches go later on. You never know who you are going to meet and what you can learn in present-day moments that will be applicable in future endeavors.

Choosing to stay at a job whether or not you enjoy it, may seem minor, but this choice can add years to your experience, and grant you opportunities to progress in your skills and duties. By also choosing to spend extra hours at work, develop professional relationships, and take on more responsibilities, you may even achieve an advancement. If you still decide to quit, you can use the connections you have made and apply what you have learned to other momentous jobs that come your way.

In choosing to establish meaningful relationships with other professionals in your network, you have increased the likelihood of finding jobs and growing in your career field. Of course, skills and professional connections do not happen overnight; it takes time and effort to establish relationships with others and enhance skills. Therefore, an understanding that small daily choices to work diligently, meet with colleagues after work, attend networking events, contact companies that interest you, or simply have productive conversations with others is essential if you are hoping for significant career opportunities later on in life.

In essence, current career choices may feel as though they are solely focused on you as an individual, but in actuality, they can enhance the interpersonal relationships you have with those working alongside you and future employers. Knowing one person very well may be just what you need to get your foot in the door elsewhere.

Everyday decisions matter. They may not seem like much, but you are apt to develop habits and metamorphic changes as result of your small choices, due to the influence they have on the routines you make for yourself. The wonderful thing about this is that you have the power to change and create habits that will enable you to lead a more successful life. Start small but think big. Small decisions carry much weight, and once you acknowledge that, you can use it to your advantage and make the most of the present moment so that your future unfolds the way you hope it will.