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The Power of Small Wins: Why Simple Routines Create Big Results · Grounded Growth

• Steph Mic: Welcome back. I'm Stephanie Petrie. Nicole Girardi. Today we are going to be talking about small wins and the power of small wins and why simple routines create big results. So we're going to discuss why we underestimate small wins, the psychology of small progress, simple routines that create stability, why big changes usually fail, and faithfulness in small things. Nicole Mic: Nicole Girardi. Steph Mic: So why do we underestimate small wins? I think one of the biggest lies that we believe is that progress only counts when it's big, visible, or impressive. Because it really just elevates ourselves, really. And so we tend to overlook the small things because they feel ordinary, or they don't really move the needle, or even maybe move our growth in the rate we're hoping. And so the truth is, is that most of our lives are lived in those ordinary, mundane, everyday moments. ⁓ And it's the small decisions, the getting up a little earlier, the choosing to pause and pray, making a plan for your day with priorities that quietly shape who we're becoming. because those actions don't feel ⁓ we tend to dismiss them, ⁓ we don't stay consistent with them. But they really do build up over time and it creates these habits that then are creating those wins that we're seeking But when we don't always see it as those small faithful choices actually building something over time when we tend to lose those that momentum ⁓ big transformation rarely happens all at once It's usually the result of small repeated wins that we come back to consistently ⁓ Nicole Mic: Boom! Welcome to our podcast for today. I love it! Well said, Steph! I mean, I don't know what I can say to top that. Steph Mic: today. I love it. Well said, Steph. mean, I don't know what I can say to top that. So true in all of the things. you know, I think a lot high capacity women, I feel like we use that word a lot lately, is that we often chase the breakthroughs instead of the daily improvement. Nicole Mic: So true, and all of the things. And I think a lot of capacity women, I feel like we use that word a lot lately, ⁓ that we ⁓ chase the breakthroughs instead of the daily improvement. ⁓ that ⁓ driven personalities tend to want to have big measurable ⁓ versus feeling that the small progress doesn't count at all. Nicole Ghirardi: Hi, welcome to Grounded Growth Podcast. I'm Nicole Girardi. And I'm Stephanie Petry. We believe that grounded growth comes from being intentional about compassionate connections that are beautifully balanced while flourishing in faithfulness. Each week we will share real conversations, encouragement, and simple systems to help build a life that feels steady, aligned, and grounded. So sit back, maybe grab a coffee, and join us where clarity meets calm and growth feels intentional. Nicole Mic: and that wanting the transformation overnight instead of that slow growth that we have that we really truly need because Stephanie Petry: And I'm Stephanie Petry. We believe that grounded growth comes from being intentional about compassionate connections that are beautifully balanced while flourishing in faithfulness. Each week we will share real conversations, encouragement, and simple systems to help build a life that feels steady, aligned, and grounded. So sit back, maybe grab a coffee, and join us where clarity meets calm and growth feels intentional. Before we dive in, if you want to make sure you never miss a conversation, hit that subscribe or follow button. Nicole Mic: We're not going to hit the goals tomorrow and that it's slow processes that we have to do thinking that success should feel dramatic and that it's learning that real growth usually looks boring and repetitive. Welcome to habits. mean ⁓ big thing is is stuff. Have you read the book Atomic Habits. OK well I have a copy for you ⁓ and I love it. I what did I say I'm reading like this is my fourth time reading this book and one of the biggest things that James Clear starts the book. Steph Mic: I have not. Well, Nicole Ghirardi: Before we dive in, if you want to make sure you never miss a conversation, hit that subscribe or follow button right now on whatever app you're listening on. Stephanie Petry: right now on whatever app you're listening on. Nicole Mic: office is talking about just getting 1 % better. Just 1%. It's the idea that the improvement doesn't need to be drastic. Small improvements repeated daily create a change. Hmm, Steph and I tell you guys to create habits. And that's the small actions, that 1 % daily improvement that compounds over time so that we have those small wins daily to get us to the big goals. And it helps remove the pressure to be perfect. And that perfectionism is out the window. We don't need to be perfect. God did not make us perfect. And that we are constantly growing and, you know, doing the things that we need to do, but in slow time in the seasons that we're in. And focusing on the direction is what's important instead of the speed of getting there as quickly as we possibly can. And that's where the small wins is what builds our confidence. So many women don't have the confidence or feel that they don't have Nicole Ghirardi: you for joining us for another episode of Grounded Growth. We hope today brought you clarity, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you're not walking this journey alone. If this episode spoke to you, we'd love for you to share it, subscribe, and leave a review. We'll see you next week. Until then, Stephanie Petry: Thank you joining us for another episode of Grounded Growth. ⁓ We hope brought you clarity, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you're not walking this journey alone. If this episode spoke to you, we'd love for you to share it, subscribe, and leave a review. We'll see you next week. Until then, Nicole Ghirardi: stay grounded and keep growing. Stephanie Petry: stay grounded keep growing. Nicole Mic: the confidence to do all of the things or do the big goals that they choose to do and it's completing those small things that creates the evidence you are moving forward and that checking something off creates that motivation. love being able to color in our habit tracker and it's one of those things that being able to say I did this and you are improving yourself daily gives you that confidence to grow through. ⁓ the proof and not have the pressure that we had. We just talked about that last episode. And so that consistency is what builds the confidence and compounds results for us. And showing up repeatedly matters most than in the intensity of it. So I'm trying to lose weight. And Stefano's, because we have our weekly check-ins, that my goal this quarter was to lose 18 pounds. And I want to tell you what, eight weeks? And I'm like, I'm stuck. I hit a plateau. I've lost like four pounds and I can't. And then it was finally because I'm consistently working out and drinking my water and eating and doing all of the things that finally I started seeing it. And that's the win that we need is is that we know slow and steady wins the race and that we have to continue to keep it consistent and that remove the emotional roller coaster of everything else and the expectations that we have. We've already talked about all this last episode. If you have not heard last week's episode, listen to last week's episode before you listen to this, because it's just a great way into the power of our small wins. So we often look over, look our small progress because it doesn't feel impressive. And that's where, you know, we feel, ⁓ it needs to be impactful. It needs to be people need to see it. And that's when you need to step back and realize, are we setting these goals for ourselves or Or is it to show off and it's our pride getting in our way? And that's really where we need to look through and remember that it proves to ourselves we are someone who follows through and that we're going through and hitting everything that we need to do to make ourselves better of who we are. That was a lot of words. really sorry. But this I was really excited about this podcast today. Deal. Steph Mic: I was good When you get passionate you just go so I'm gonna transition us to the next one because I have a feeling you have more to say So there's actually a reason for small wins and that they matter so much. It isn't just encouraging advice There's actually psychology behind why small progress changes how we feel and how we move forward Let's talk about what small wins actually do inside our minds and why they create momentum Nicole Mic: read a lot of books about all of ⁓ and that the biggest thing I realized is that completing small task is what builds our mental energy. It immediately creating that momentum. ⁓ I got this done. Even if it's literally like I'm going to stretch for five minutes. Checking it off makes you feel like I did something that I'm moving towards my goals ⁓ and that completion of that is what creates your clarity. And those small finished tasks, those small wins is what reduces the mental clutter in our head. And that's what the progress creates is that emotional relief that we need so much because our brains are on overload. And it just it helps reduce the overthinking part of it all. One of the really nice quotes that I have from James Clear's book is is that you don't rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems and the The biggest thing is that goals are important. Don't think that I'm trying to trash goals whatsoever, but they are not enough. And the thing is that systems is what determines what happens daily. Those habits is what determines what helps you bring those big results because that's what decides the outcome. It's not the goal that creates the outcome. It's the habits that we do daily to help shift our focus from the outcomes to the actual structure behind it all. And that's where I mean we talk about it all the time that routines matter ⁓ that's more important than just the motivation behind it the motivation we lose ⁓ quickly after day three and I've eaten a chocolate cake and six kolaches ⁓ You know, it's just you know, ⁓ you feel like okay. Well, I didn't hit my goal So I'm just gonna do it That's not what we're trying to do is is that hey I can have a cheat day and I'm gonna pick up and do it again tomorrow and it's gonna be okay but I have to stay consistent in what I truly believe because it's the systems around the actions not anything else. Steph Mic: I really love what you're saying. And I love how ⁓ idea of just progress creating momentum, ⁓ because it really shifts the way that we feel internally. last up, we talked about ⁓ this pressure that builds in ourselves and that we have expectations of So when you complete something small, it gives this sense of movement. ⁓ I'm not stuck. I'm actually moving even if it It is that 1 % and that feeling matters more than we realize especially in seasons where we feel overwhelmed or behind And so small wins also build trust within yourself and that's a heart level thing as well as in your mind So every time you follow through even in a small way you're reinforcing I can do this and I can show up And so that's creating grit and that is something that is a skill that you can learn and so over time that consistency becomes part of your identity. Not just something you try to do, but something that you choose to live out. I think a lot of us are waiting to feel motivated before we act, but often it's the action, no matter how small, that creates that motivation. So we understand that small progress actually builds momentum the next question becomes What does that look like in real life because it this is not about doing more ⁓ about building simple rhythms that support you and so we're going to talk about the routines that actually create Stability ⁓ simple routines that create stability ⁓ So stability is something that in ⁓ many women are craving. I feel like that in a lot of conversations I have with others, that's really the piece that they're wanting. ⁓ And we often look for it in big changes instead of small rhythms. And it's not that the big changes are bad. It is great to have that goal. But sometimes we need to have those smaller chunks of routines and habits to get there, those action steps to get there. So simple routines are what anchor your day when everything else feels unpredictable. ⁓ And that can look like a morning rhythm just a few minutes to ground yourself before the day starts ⁓ Here at grounded growth We really believe that that is God's Word and a little shout out to the roots morning journal that we have created that is a scripture journal for you to dive into God's Word and it kind of leads you into some personal worship and prayer and Stewarding your mind and your body So that you are starting the day with God's Word. So check out our website to order your Roots Journal. And so just a few minutes to ground yourself. It's not perfect. It's not long. It's just being intentional on how you're starting your day. Or maybe even a weekly reset. ⁓ That something else that we talk about a lot. And that's actually how we even started our podcast. So ⁓ you go back to our first episodes and listen about that. And there's a freebie of how to do a weekly reset. ⁓ But time to pause and reflect on the week before so that you're setting it up for the week ahead and preparing so you're not constantly reacting to life. And even just small planning habits like writing down your top three priorities for the week ⁓ shift your entire day even. So whether it be three priorities for the week ⁓ even just three priorities for that day to do some tasks ⁓ ⁓ you are prioritizing. And we are grace into this as well, because on those hard days, you may not do the things. But just like Nicole said, if it's a day, you're going back to what your normal is the next day. You don't let that cheat day just erase all the progress that you have made in the past. Nicole Mic: ⁓ Absolutely and I think the big thing is is we need to connect our routines to systems instead of discipline Because I think just discipline alone is so exhausting I mean even the word like I feel like ⁓ I'm gonna get in trouble and like, you there's such you feel so heavy with that. So systems is what makes discipline easier. The structure removes the decision fatigue that we constantly get. And so it's predictable, which then creates the stability that Steph was talking about. So then that way then we can move through their day, move through the week, move through the season, whatever we are trying to do, if routines really remove that pressure to perform and it keeps it absolutely consistent and it also protects your mental energy because that is the everything of us and controls us and that is where you need to make sure and protect it for Routines are identity anchors, just productivity tools. And that's where your routine is reinforcing who you are becoming. and it helps shape your identity. And I think that that's really heavy to really sit back and ponder about is that we're just not saying I'm gonna drink 80 ounces of water. Why is it that you want to drink 80 ounces of water? And why is it and who are you and want to be and who to become? So then that way then you truly know what it is that you're trying to create here. ⁓ And it's an identity habit, not just organization for the planning part of it. And that planning shows intentional living. ⁓ It reflects leadership on your life. It shows ownership of your direction. Reduces reaction living. feel like that's like we are so reactive versus proactive and planning gives you that productivity and really being able to plan ahead so you can live in the present and It just and that's what it gives you the clarity that you need to be able to move forward in the vision that you have and the purpose that you have in life ⁓ and Steph already brought this up, but I want to kind of rewind back to it is is that The Roots Journal, mean, it is everything that I've ever needed. And I really think that the Roots Journal is the identity work that we all need. not just the journaling. And so it's giving us the opportunity to reflect and building awareness of what is our surroundings and really what God is trying to put in place for us to be able to move forward. ⁓ So it's really helping us build that trust in God versus the trust in the worldly things. ⁓ So this is why so many big life changes don't last is because we try to change ⁓ and everything once. ⁓ And instead letting the small things build over time. It's just like the time blocking thing. One small thing at a time to start time blocking, it's the same way with habits. You can't build 10 habits, you only build one or two at a time. I build two at a time. But honestly, that's where the discouragement also shows up. So let's talk about why big changes tend to fail and why simple consistency works better. Steph Mic: So I think that we've all been there. So you feel motivated. You want that change. And you try to overhaul everything at once. And for a little while, it might work. And that motivation might be able to drive you. But it usually is not sustainable. ⁓ And so because those changes aren't built into your life in the season that you're in, they're forced on top of it. So that means that you are not going to be able to keep going. Nicole Mic: Yes. Steph Mic: It's going to become heavy and it's not fitting into what you need right now. And so when expectations are too high or too intense, burnout isn't far behind. And then what happens? We stop completely. And sometimes we feel like that we have failed. And it's not that we failed. It is that the system we put in place failed. And we need to be more realistic on where we are and what we are capable of doing right now. problem isn't that you failed. It wasn't built for consistency. so real lasting change is slower than we want it to be. But also more stable. ⁓ And built through small repeatable actions that fit into your actual ⁓ life. If is, ⁓ it's to say that it's not going to be hard and you're not going to you know, it will be difficult because you are asking for change. ⁓ However, it should not be so difficult that you are not able to accomplish any of it. And so even if the goal doesn't change, ⁓ or even if the habit doesn't change, maybe it's the consistency of the habit that needs to change. Maybe you pull back just a little bit more to make it attainable and then build it up to what you were thinking before. So you just have to kind of find that. You kind of need to find that Goldilocks goal. you need it to be just right. Because if it's too simple, it's not going to challenge you enough to change. ⁓ if it's too difficult, you're going ⁓ stop the consistency. So we want it just right, like Goldilocks. Nicole Mic: I love it. I love it. And I think, you know, another thing with big changes like how they fail is, that we get trapped of trying to change everything. We've already talked about that and wanting that immediate gratification, the immediate transformation and trying Trying to fix everything at once, and setting unrealistic expectations, and overloading yourself with change, and losing the momentum quickly. It's exhausting. And so it's really fine tuning that we have to remember that goals set direction, but the system is what creates the progress. that came from James Clear in the Atomic Habit book. I highly recommend you guys reading it. It is life ⁓ transforming ⁓ the sake of understanding truly what habits are. ⁓ that you have to remember that ⁓ what gives you the direction ⁓ The systems, the routines is what determines your success, not the goal. because if we all made the same goals, then we should all be able to achieve them. But it's not because the way that Stephanie creates a goal and we may have the same goal, her habits may be perfect in her way of being able to do it, but my body is different. I can't do the same thing Stephanie does. And that's where we have to stop the comparison. And that's also why we fail so much is that we play the comparison card. And because Stephanie can do it, I can do it. Well, God made her unique for a reason. unique for a reason and we're two different people and those expectations is just so hard on people and that's where you have to focus on the daily structure creating that daily routine and you know the big thing is is most people try to change behavior without changing your identity hmm there's the identity word again and really trying to force habits without the belief behind it And one of the things James brought up, like he said that, you know, want to say, well, I'm not a writer. Well, you're not a writer because you're not consistently writing something. You can be a writer, ⁓ you have to believe it. I am a writer. I am an author. I am a business owner. ⁓ know, being able to say it and believe that's who you are, ⁓ you're going to believe it. It's like ⁓ somebody, ⁓ neither one of us smoke, but this is a good comparison because James says it in the book is, is that that. You go outside and you offer two different people a cigarette. One says, ⁓ I'm trying to quit. The other one says, I'm not a smoker. And they both previously smoked, but one believes they're not a smoker. And the other one says, I'm trying to. So she doesn't believe in herself. And that's why she says that she's trying versus saying, I am not a smoker kind of aspect of it all. So I feel like a lot of it is the that are coming out of our mouth of if we don't believe in How how can we achieve anything and that's where we cannot outperform? What you believe about yourself and beliefs is what shapes our actions. It shapes our life the identity limits ⁓ Limits us or it can expand our growth It's your decision and that your beliefs is what's important and that's where you really need to hone in and figure that out and Back to core values. What are your values because that's who you want to who you are and who you want to continue to come to be. So, lasting change starts internally before it ever can be anything external. And so, if you want to be a runner, I am a runner. And these are the habits and actions I'm creating to do that versus saying, I'm going to try to run a marathon. Well, if you're going to try, you're not going to do it because you're not, you don't believe in it. And that's the self-talk that you have to stop doing because it's all in our head and we are so silly that we constantly do it. And those changing beliefs is what gives us that small little capacity and says that we can't do it. And we have to believe in ourselves because If we believe in ourselves, God believes in us and knows that, that we have to be able to continue to say it say it verbally. And I think that if everyone says, well, you have to say your goal out verbally. Well, you need to write it down too. I think that you need to believe who you are, say it to other people and write it down and know who you are before you can do any of this. And that's why we fail. ⁓ Steph Mic: and knows that, that we have to be able to continue to say it verbally. I think that everyone says, well, you have to say your goal out verbally. Well, you need to write it down too. I think that you need to believe who you are, say it to other people and write it down and know who you are before you can do any of this. And that's why we fail. I think that ⁓ in the education world, we call this the growth mindset and the power of yet. So, you know, I am not a writer yet. And so, like you said, just believing in what it is that you're wanting to become, but also believing that God has the power to change you and ⁓ and that it's not always up to you. You're not in control of all things, but you are in control of your response and you are in control of, know, of being able to give him the glory for the changes that he makes in you. just because we're not in control of all things doesn't mean that we're not in control of our response. ⁓ And going back to when you talked about comparison. It is not wrong for us to be different. ⁓ And it is not wrong for us to talk about those differences. It's when we start comparing those differences that it becomes the slippery slope, or it becomes the death of joy. And one book I was reading by Risen Motherhood, ⁓ I believe it's called Gospel Mom. And it was talking about how we tend to compare. And when we compare, it's hard for us to bear one another's burden. It's hard for us to rejoice when others are rejoicing because we're constantly comparing ourselves with someone else whole point of it is that a lot of times when you're comparing it's because you're not confident in your own why and So you're not confident in your own why and ⁓ and you're to seek a new way of doing things ⁓ You tend start comparing ⁓ and that can lead to self-justification or it can lead to you feeling like a failure And so whenever I am in a conversation with another mom, another working mom, another business owner, another whatever, ⁓ fill in the blank, ⁓ you're looking for their strengths. And think about that conversation. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who is just so encouraging? Like they are so present in the conversation and they're just like, wow, you are so great at being so positive or you are really driven. Like and you leave that conversation feeling uplifted and encouraged and being seen and heard. And those are the kinds of people that I want in my corner. And so I try to do that for others when I'm stopping and listening. And then you ask with curiosity instead of comparison. How did you get there? how did you? ⁓ What what did you have to learn in order to have the confidence of being a business owner? Or what is it that you had to? ⁓ Like instill with habits in order to be able to be in God's Word daily like ask the questions be curious instead of comparing has always cared about faithfulness in the small things. ⁓ So let's talk about what it looks like from a faith perspective. In Luke 16 10, the Bible says, one who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. This verse in Luke always stands out to me because it completely shifts how I view the small things. It reminds us that what we feel is small actually matters deeply to God. a faithfulness isn't proven in big public moments. It's built in the quiet everyday choices that no one else needs to see. It's choosing to show up. It's choosing to be consistent and to steward. What's right in front of you? Everything that you are given is a blessing from God even the ones that get on your nerves and you don't understand and so you have to steward it well and So think about sometimes, you know, we're waiting for something bigger that waiting place ⁓ it's so hard a bigger opportunity a bigger calling you feel like you're really made for more. Okay But are you like currently glorifying Him and what you currently have? What is it that He has already given you and start there? ⁓ Instead of just constantly seeking and asking for something better. Find contentment in where you are before you start trying to push out to grow. ⁓ God is often growing us through what feels small and ordinary. Those daily routines, those small acts of faithful obedience. That's where transformation truly begins because once your heart is shaped and starts desiring the things of God, it really just changes the whole trajectory who you can become. Over time, God multiplies that faithfulness in ways that we can't always see right away ⁓ and we just have to trust He is God and we are not. ⁓ So instead of dismissing the small things we can start to see them as meaningful as part of what God is building in us little by little. Nicole Mic: Love it, love it. And I think the first thing that kind of came to my mind when I was working on this section was the seeds grow before harvest and that growth happens before we see the results. And that's where our faith is what requires the patience because we are not in control. God is in control and that we have to trust the unseen because God knows and is only going to do what he wants us to do And that is where you know, you have to stay consistent and you can't give up and that you need to lean into the word when you want to give up, because that's when he's really working us and being able to understand that harvest follows the faithfulness that, you know, God works on our identity before the outcomes ⁓ that internal growth matters first. I learned that the hard way ⁓ that character before results. ⁓ And that's where we're really working on our maturity of our spiritual growth before it's ever visible to other people. ⁓ You just have to trust the process. ⁓ It's not going to make sense at times. It still doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure, Steph, you feel the same way. ⁓ But God is shaping our identity to be able to have those outcomes. And that's where the faith is the identity formation, where it's shaping who we're becoming, changes our perspective 100 % and really helps build our resilience ⁓ to really then be able to anchor us into our identities and supporting our growth. So ⁓ if there's one thing I can or we hope you take away from this conversation, I think it's this, is that you don't have to change everything to start growing. You're already growing. And you just have to start somewhere small. Grow the seeds. The harvest will come. So let's wrap this up with what this could look like practically for you this week. Steph Mic: to really then be able to anchor us into our identities and supporting our growth. So ⁓ if there's one thing I can or we hope you take away from this conversation, I think it's this. It's that you don't have to change everything to start growing. You're already growing. And you just have to start somewhere small. Grow the seeds, the harvest will come. So let's wrap this up with what this could look like practically for you this week. So if you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I just want to gently remind you that you do not need to completely overhaul your life. You just need one small step in the right direction and choose one simple routine to start with, something realistic, something that fits your life right now. Then you can focus on showing up consistently, not perfectly. And progress might feel slow at first, but it does compound Over time in ways that are powerful ⁓ and that's where the reflection piece would come in play with our weekly reset to the more And more than anything give yourself grace in the process growth isn't meant to feel rushed or forced and it's going to have some ⁓ ⁓ you're not gonna have it perfect ⁓ It's steady. It's intentional and it's built one win at a time. That's how real lasting change happens And that's where grounded growth truly begins Nicole Mic: And that's where the reflection piece would come in play with our weekly reset too. And more than anything, give yourself grace in the process. Growth isn't meant to feel rushed ⁓ forced, ⁓ it's going to have some dips, ⁓ you're not gonna have it perfect. ⁓ It's study, it's intentional, and it's built one win at a time. That's how real lasting change happens, and that's where ground and growth truly begins. ⁓ Absolutely. just remember every small habit is a vote for the person you want to become. So you're deciding every habit and you're voting to be the person you want to. So each action is reinforcing your identity. Habits shape your future self. So just pick one and pick one that reduces your stress this week. I think that we carry so much stress and it builds so much up into our mental capacity and it just drains. us is that you have to start smaller than you think you need to. So when you pick your first habit chunk it up and make it even smaller. Remove the overwhelm, make the habit achievable. reduce the resistance of it and focus on the sustainability. You know, that's what creates the momentum for you guys. And just remember progress does compound even when you cannot see it yet. So growth is often invisible to us. Remember that, especially in the early processes of what we're trying to do. So trust the process, stay consistent, be intentional and just have patience and growth. So until next time, friends, we will see you guys later. Bye. Steph Mic: even when you cannot see it yet. So growth is often invisible to us. Remember that, especially in the early processes of what we're trying to do. So trust the process, stay consistent, be intentional, and just have patience and growth. So until next time friends, we will see you guys later. Bye. Bye.