"هیچکس اشتباهی بزرگتر از کسی نکرد که هیچ کاری انجام نداد چون فکر کرد که فقط می‌تواند یک کار کوچک انجام دهد"

Sometimes we think making a big difference requires grand gestures. But, the core idea here is that even small actions can have a significant impact. The real mistake is doing nothing at all just because you think you can't do much. Many of us have been there, right? We feel overwhelmed by the enormity of a problem and think our tiny contribution is pointless. But, those small efforts can add up to something much larger.

This saying might have popped up in different contexts, but it’s often attributed to Edmund Burke, an Irish statesman and philosopher from the 18th century. It was a time fraught with political upheaval and social change. People faced massive issues that seemed insurmountable, and Burke likely wanted to remind them that every small act of courage, compassion, or resistance mattered. He wanted to inspire action, no matter how minor it seemed.

Imagine this: there’s this guy, let’s call him Dave, who loves the ocean. He spends his weekends surfing and just soaking up the sun. One day, he notices the beach littered with plastic bottles and trash. He feels a pang of guilt and frustration but then shrugs it off thinking, “What difference can I make? I’m just one person.” But then Dave decides to do something small. Every time he goes to the beach, he picks up a few pieces of trash. Over time, other beachgoers notice and start doing the same. A local community group catches wind and organizes regular beach cleanups. Before Dave knows it, the beach is cleaner, and he’s sparked a change. Dave’s small action – picking up those few pieces of trash – made a big impact.

So, what’s the takeaway for us? Don’t underestimate your small actions. Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of an issue is normal. But instead of letting that paralyze you, identify something small you can do. Maybe it’s recycling a bit more, volunteering an hour a week, or just being kinder to someone. These little efforts can snowball.

Think about your community. Maybe there's a local park that needs some love – it’s got litter everywhere, and the playground equipment is a bit run down. You might think, “I’m not a superhero, I can’t fix this!” But what if you committed to spending just 15 minutes picking up trash every Saturday? After a while, others might join you. Eventually, you could organize a larger cleanup event. And who knows? Maybe the local government takes notice and decides to pitch in too. It all starts with you not being afraid to do that little bit.

Remember when you were a kid and you saw someone drop a small coin into a piggy bank every day? It seems almost silly at first, but over time, the piggy bank would get heavier and heavier. By the end of the year, there’d be enough money for a new toy or a fun day out. It’s the same principle. Small, consistent actions build up over time.

So next time you feel like your efforts are too small to matter, think of Dave at the beach or that piggy bank. Every little bit helps. Doing nothing because you can only do a little? That’s the real mistake.