There was this joke that went around when I was younger (maybe it still goes around, who knows) about a person who goes to McDonalds and orders this big meal, like a Big Mac, fries, apple pie, chicken nuggets, “…and a Diet Coke.” The joke is that ha ha, this person is suddenly concerned about health when it comes to the drink, after ordering all that garbage? Ha ha ha.
Even back then, I thought the joke was silly. Like sure, maybe Big Macs aren’t the healthiest thing in the world. But you know what’s worse for you than a Big Mac and a Diet Coke? A Big Mac and a regular Coke.
I worked out today. I also ate a cookie. And you could laugh and say “Why bother working out if you’re just going to eat a cookie?” Because look, I was going to eat that cookie either way. Cookie + exercise is definitely better.
Sometimes people make marginal improvements. Maybe a diet Coke is the first step. Next, they’ll get smaller-size fries. Then they’ll skip the apple pie. And soon they’re making themselves healthier meals entirely. Or maybe just making a few small improvements is good by itself, even if those decisions don’t necessarily lead to larger ones!
When people take marginal steps towards something better, don’t give them crap about it. Or at least, give them a little less, you know?
The Opportunity Machine 