Tiny Shifts Matter

Hey friends,

I listened to a podcast this week, and something marketing guru, Seth Godin, said struck a chord:

“Big problems only require small changes.”

He was referencing the Butterfly Effect—a poetic way of describing how complex systems change in response to small inputs. As a systems thinker myself, I deeply groked what he meant. It’s not just a platitude; it’s science. And my story is proof of it.

From Rock Bottom to Monastery

Readers of this newsletter know that about 25 years ago, I hit bottom. The stress of losing my business triggered a cascade of stress-related conditions. To heal and get my head straight, I spent months in retreat at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It was there I learned a few simple practices—small, consistent things I still do today.

Changing the System with Simple Practices

Those tiny changes rewired my brain. And that rewiring not only healed my stress illnesses, they changed how I related to myself and the world. It’s not hyperbole to say that those small inputs shifted the entire system of my life in a beautiful direction.

A Book and a Website, Built from Small Changes

I write about that journey in my upcoming book, The Healing Mindset: Mastering the Art of Skillful Awareness. (For info on preorders, click here.) It’s a practical, honest look at how meditation, shadow work, and perspective-taking catalyzed real change and healing in my life. In the book, I offer a clear, accessible process for anyone ready to make meaningful change. After years of work, I’ll finally be sharing it with you this summer!

Also, next week, I’m soft-launching my new website! It’s not a splashy unveiling. But I did want to mention this other small, meaningful change. The website’s purpose is to make getting information and support easier for those who are interested. I want you to be happy!

The Invitation: Start Small, Shift Big

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your health, your work, or the world, let me gently remind you:

• You don’t have to fix everything.
• You just need to start.
• And the start can be something small.
• A small change—made today—can shift the whole system!

Wishing you peace, clarity, and the courage to start and the momentum to keep going,

Mark

P.S. If you're ready to explore a few small changes of your own, reach out. Coaching, retreats, or even a single conversation could be the next step.