On the side of a community transit bus, I spied this Seattle Seahawk football advertisement. The banner read, “Games are measured in inches not yards.” The message was quite clear and enlightening for me. The truth was in the advertisement.

Just like the game football, which is truly measured in inches, life can be measured similarly. Imaging that inches equate to small choices. String a bunch of positive choices together and you build yards of life success.

The notion of daily choices reminded me of David Cottrell’s book Monday Morning Choices and his twelve ways to go from ordinary to extraordinary.  Imagine beginning your day with one single positive choice. The choice will beget more good choices throughout the day.

I believe if you have a goal to do something large and meaningful, the choices you make matter. It is very much like depositing small amounts into your retirement fund over the years. At first the contributions are small and over time they compound and turn into enough for your goal of retirement.

String enough deposits together and you realize success. String enough small daily choices together and you realize the same compounding effect on your goals and dreams. I encourage you to begin right now with a choice to act everyday on the small things that equate to the large things that matter in your life or others.

That is personal leadership and achievement.