Everything we do has an impact well beyond the intended area of our lives.
This is because we operate within a system and, by definition, the parts of a system affect each other.
You can picture a system as a car. The car components make up the parts of the system. All of these parts are interrelated and only together can they create a certain result, which is, getting you from A to B.
If you change or remove one part of the system, it impacts other parts, which in turn creates
(a) a different result, or
(b) no result.
Imagine removing any essential part of a car. It will quickly become unusable. That is also true for tiny, inconspicuous parts.
Here’s an example of our day-to-day life: sleep. Your sleep will have a substantial impact on how well you can focus and get things done for your work.
Changing one part, like reducing sleep, will create ripple effects, like:
- Impatience
- Lack of focus, distraction
- Impact on your health
Some of the ripple effects will happen almost instantly.
Some will unfold during the day.
Some will be only felt over longer periods of time. Ripple effects, over time, create a whole set of new consequences.
Ripple effects can be desired or undesired.
They can be intended or unintended.
Either way, once we know they exist, we can feel ripple effects in the course of our days.
Imagine what your days could look like when you take ripple effects into account.