Small choices, big changes. How to build the life you want, one decision at a time.

Welcome to this week's edition of Wellness Goals Weekly, your space for support, inspiration, and practical steps to help you thrive.

Today, in the area where I live, we have local elections. A chance to vote, which led me to write today's wellness topic.

Have you ever set a big goal for yourself? We often start with great intentions, full of motivation. But then, life happens. A busy day leads to a skipped workout, stress leads to an unhealthy meal, and suddenly, that inspiring goal feels a million miles away. We tell ourselves we’ll start again tomorrow, or next Monday, or on the first of next month.

But what if we could look at our progress differently? What if, instead of waiting for a grand reset, we saw every single choice we make as a small but meaningful step?

Today, I wanted to share an idea suggesting that every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. This idea reframes our daily decisions, not as insignificant moments, but as evidence that we are building towards the identity we want to embody.

What Does it Mean to 'Vote' With Your Actions?

Think about it this way: if you want to be a person who feels strong and healthy, every time you choose to move your body —whether it’s a full Pilates class or a ten-minute walk —you are casting a "yes" vote for that identity. Every time you choose a nourishing meal, you cast another vote. These votes accumulate, building momentum and making it easier to see yourself as that person.

Conversely, when you choose to stay on the sofa instead of moving or grab a convenient but less healthy option, you are casting a "no" vote. It doesn’t mean you have failed; it simply means that in that one moment, your action was not aligned with the person you want to become.

The beauty of this concept is its immediacy. It pulls our focus away from distant, overwhelming goals and brings it right back to the present moment, to the very next choice in front of us.

Practical Examples: Casting Your Votes in Daily Life

This powerful way of looking at things applies to so many areas—well beyond food and fitness. Here are some examples of “yes” and “no” votes in different parts of life:

•  Physical Wellbeing: Booking your Pilates class (“yes”), drinking enough water (“yes”), getting outside for fresh air (“yes”), skipping movement altogether (“no”), or staying up too late online (“no”).
•  Relationships: Sending a supportive message to a friend (“yes”), making time to listen to your partner (“yes”), ignoring the phone call you know would lift someone’s spirits (“no”), or responding sharply in the heat of the moment (“no”).
•  Career: Tackling a small task you’ve been putting off (“yes”), asking for help when you need it (“yes”), continually pushing things to ‘tomorrow’ (“no”), or scrolling social media during work hours (“no”).
•  Personal Growth: Reading a chapter of that inspiring book (“yes”), signing up for a workshop or learning opportunity (“yes”), talking yourself out of trying something new due to fear (“no”), or staying in your comfort zone (“no”).

Each time you say “yes” or “no” with your actions, you are voting for the direction you want your life to move in, one small moment at a time.

Spotting Your Patterns: Where Are Your Votes Going?

If you want to make real, lasting changes, it helps to become aware of your voting patterns. Take a few minutes at the end of the day, or even just once this week, to look back and notice:

•  Which area do you tend to cast more “yes” votes in: health, relationships, work, or something else?
•  Are there times or situations where “no” votes sneak in more often? (e.g., late at night, when you’re stressed, or after a busy day.)
•  Do you notice any triggers, like certain emotions or people, that lead to more “no” votes?

This isn’t about keeping score or judging yourself. It’s about gentle self-enquiry, seeing what’s working, where your energy is flowing, and where you might want to steer things differently.

How to Course-Correct and Realign

No one gets it right all the time, and that’s completely normal. The real magic is in recognising the pattern and knowing you can change direction anytime. Here’s how:

1.  Pause and Notice: When you realise you’ve strayed from your intended “votes,” acknowledge it without criticism.
2.  Get Curious: Ask yourself what led to that choice. Was it stress, tiredness, lack of motivation, or old habits?
3.  Reset with Intention: Remember, your next choice is always a fresh opportunity. You do not have to wait for Monday or for that elusive “perfect” moment.
4.  Celebrate the Small Wins: Each time you course-correct and make a “yes” choice, no matter how tiny, give yourself credit. These moments add up and reinforce the belief that you are someone who supports your own growth.

The Power of the Immediate Reset

Here’s the most freeing part of this approach: one “no” vote does not ruin everything.

We have all been there. You have a great week of healthy eating, and then a Friday night takeaway makes you feel like you have undone all your hard work. In the old way of thinking, this might lead to giving up until Monday.

But with the voting mindset, a “no” vote is just a single data point. It doesn’t define you. The pizza you ate on Friday night was one vote. The decision you make for breakfast on Saturday morning is the next opportunity to cast a “yes” vote. You don’t have to wait. You can reset with the very next decision you make.

Did you skip your morning workout? That was one vote. You can cast your next “yes” vote by choosing to take the stairs at work or by doing a few gentle stretches before bed.

This removes the guilt and shame that so often derail our progress. It reminds us that we are always just one choice away from getting back on track. Every meal, every movement, every moment of pause is a fresh chance to vote for the future you.

Your Invitation This Week

I invite you to try this out for yourself. This week, pick one area of your life where you want to see a change. It could be your physical health, your mental clarity, your relationships, your work, or how you spend your free time.

For the next few days, simply notice your choices. Without judgment, ask yourself:

•  Is this a “yes” vote or a “no” vote for the person I want to be?
•  Are there patterns or repeated situations where you tip toward “no”? What might help you choose “yes” in those moments instead?
•  When you make a choice that feels like a “yes,” take a moment to acknowledge it. Give yourself a little credit for showing up for yourself.
•  If you make a “no” vote, be sure to notice that too. Acknowledge it, let it go, and then focus on making the very next choice a “yes.”

Achieving your goals and becoming the person you want to be isn’t about perfection. It’s about these small, consistent votes you cast for yourself, day in and day out. Each one is a quiet affirmation that you are worthy of your goals and that you are, step by step, becoming who you were meant to be.

Until next week, I'm cheering you on to wellness success,

Pilates   Soundbaths   EFT   Wellness & Mindset Coaching