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The Ripple Effect: How Small Decisions Spark Big Transformations – Season 1 of The 37% Podcast

Writer's picture: Áine MaguireÁine Maguire

Updated: Oct 29, 2024

Why Small Decisions Matter


The path to significant change doesn’t always start with a grand plan or an all-encompassing decision. More often, it begins with small moves that build upon each other, creating a ripple effect that shapes the course of our lives.


In this first session of The 37% Podcast, Susy and I explored the way we make decisions and looked at the impact our decisions can have in our lives. Through the real life stories of our individual guests, we learned how people discover what they need to make progress in their lives and how they navigate change. These conversations not only highlighted the power of small decisions but also illustrated how the 37% rule—making informed choices with limited information—can unlock transformative possibilities.


Through their stories, our guests demonstrated that progress often lies in everyday actions.

As Aoife Dunican, a style consultant who transformed her passion into a career.

Where did she learn key aspects of here services?

How do you teach presence?  Stylebob learnt from the GOAT, Joan collins

The Impact of Curiosity and Staying Open

One powerful theme that emerged was curiosity as a driving force behind small decisions. For Giles Vardey, former London Stock Exchange board member turned mentor and coach, curiosity was the catalyst that kept him engaged in meaningful work beyond a successful first career.

Reflecting on his journey, Giles shared,


“Curiosity is the key. You don’t need all the answers to keep learning and
growing, even after 40 years of work. It’s what keeps us relevant and capable.”

His choice to continue mentoring leaders came not from a desire to “keep working” but from his passion for helping others make critical decisions. He noted,
The 37% podcast quote from Giles Vardey “When I see leaders realise their own potential, it reminds me  why I stayed on this path.   The decision wasn’t about staying busy; it was  about staying valuable to others.”
quote Giles Vardey

Giles’ story underscores the idea that decisions need not be grand to be meaningful. By following his curiosity and remaining open, he created a second career that allowed him to serve others, drawing upon his wealth of experience.


Leveraging the 37% Rule for Informed Risk-Taking

The 37% rule—the idea that we don’t need full certainty to make effective choices—was a recurring theme among our guests, who often made significant moves with only partial information. In her journey from corporate life to neuroscience, Dr Sabina Brennan told us,


“I didn’t have a roadmap. Just an interest that kept pulling me forward.”

Initially hesitant, Sabina took small steps toward her new path, each one encouraging her to dive deeper.


“One class, one experiment, and I was hooked.
I didn’t need to know everything to start; I just needed to be willing.”

For Sabina, each small decision layered upon the last, culminating in a fulfilling second career.

“I think we sometimes overestimate how much we need to know before taking a step. Looking back, I made most of my decisions with only a fraction of what I knew now,” she shared. By following her passion incrementally, Sabina found a purpose that would have felt intimidating had she tried to map it all out from the beginning.


Similarly, Aoife’s journey into fashion consulting was guided by the 37% rule. She began by attending a casual workshop on personal style, not intending to launch a career but simply to explore her interest. “I attended a workshop on personal style, and it just clicked,” Aoife explained.

“At that moment, I didn’t know where it would lead, but I knew it was worth exploring. I didn’t have to quit my job or make a huge change right away—I just followed the curiosity.”

As Aoife embraced incremental learning, her interest gradually transformed into a consultancy, proving that taking informed risks, even without all the answers, can yield surprising outcomes.

Image of Aoife Dunican aka The StyleBob - "When you’re willing to take one small step at a time, you might be surprised by the opportunities that eventually unfold.”"
Aoife Dunican, aka "The StyleBob"

Starting Small, Growing Big

Our conversation with Clare Kennedy illustrated how commitment to small, consistent actions can lead to significant life changes. A fitness coach who built her career from personal fitness goals, Clare’s journey began with a simple choice to attend a fitness class.

“It all started with a single class,” she said. “At first, I just wanted to improve my health. But each class, each new skill, opened up more possibilities. I wasn’t trying to be a coach back then—I just followed where each step led.”


This initial commitment eventually grew into a vocation that enabled Clare to help others transform their lives.


“I think sometimes people wait for this huge decision to come along
and change everything ...
but big change can come from a lot of small decisions done consistently.”

Clare’s journey shows that dedication to incremental progress, even when the full picture is unclear, can lead to life-altering results.


Similarly, Clint Drieberg’s move from Australia to Ireland was not the result of a grand life overhaul. It began as an “adventure”—a small decision to buy a one-way ticket that gradually evolved into a becoming and Irish citizen. “We had just a one-way ticket… and that’s all we knew,” Clint said, recounting the initial step that ultimately redefined home and belonging for him.


“One decision led to another, and before we knew it, Ireland became home.
It wasn’t a big decision; it was a series of
little ones that brought me to where I am now.”

Building a New Identity Through Small Steps

Season 1 highlighted guests who used small decisions as a foundation for new directions rather than grand overhauls. Clint, for example, found himself rooted in Ireland through a series of mindful choices. “Each decision—whether a social gathering or a new project—made Ireland feel more like home,” he shared. “It wasn’t about leaving my old life behind; it was about growing into a new one, step by step.”


Clare’s journey into fitness wasn’t a deliberate career shift. “I didn’t plan to change careers. I just kept showing up, one class at a time,” she reflected. “It was only when I saw the positive changes in myself and those around me that I knew this was more than a routine—it was a calling.” Small, consistent steps, helped Clare and Clint to expand their lives and find fulfilment in unexpected ways.


The Power of Mentorship and Decision-Making

A notable insight from our interviews was the role of life experience in decision-making, as illustrated by Giles Vardey. After years in finance, Giles now dedicates himself to helping today’s leaders navigate their own critical choices. He shared:


“The most rewarding part of my work now is helping others
clarify their path. My decisions may have been shaped by experience,
but each one opened up the chance to pass on what I’ve learned.”

Image from 37& podcast containing Quote from Giles Vardey “When you stay curious, you keep opening doors.   Every leader I work with shows me that the best decisions  come from this openness to keep exploring.”
Giles Vardy quote

This approach mirrors the ripple effect, as each small decision Giles made in mentoring influenced the growth of those he coached.


Giles’s influence extends beyond career advice. He also champions the power of curiosity, reminding us to stay open to possibilities.


Giles’s story encapsulates how seasoned professionals can continue evolving, by reflecting and refining their purpose. values and interests.





Embracing Incremental Steps for Lasting Transformation

A core lesson from Season 1 of The 37% Podcast is that big transformations often stem from small, intentional choices. Through each guest’s experience, we see how commitment and confidence can grow often leading to profound personal and professional growth.


By starting small and making informed choices without waiting for complete certainty, our guests demonstrated that even the smallest actions could pave the way for a new path.


If you’re at a crossroads, consider that the first step doesn’t need to be monumental—it just needs to move you forward. Tune into The 37% Podcast to hear these stories in full and discover more about the transformative power of small decisions.


Listen to Season 1 of The 37% Podcast to explore these powerful stories in depth and see how small decisions can lead to extraordinary change.









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