"La gente sabe lo que hace. Con frecuencia saben por qué hacen lo que hacen. Pero lo que no saben es lo que lo que hacen hace."

We all know our actions. That’s a given. Most of the time, we even have a pretty good idea why we’re doing what we’re doing. But, here’s the kicker—what we don’t often grasp is the ripple effect of those actions. Think about it: every little thing we do can set off a whole chain of events that we might never see coming.

Take, for instance, the case of Albert Einstein. When he developed the theory of relativity, he was driven by pure scientific curiosity. He knew what he was doing—tackling complex equations—and he knew why—because he wanted to understand the universe. But did he foresee that his work would eventually lead to the development of nuclear weapons? Probably not. His calculations had far-reaching implications that went way beyond his original intentions.

Let’s bring it down to a more everyday level. Imagine you’re at a coffee shop (how fitting, right?) and you see someone struggling with their bags. You decide to help out. Seems like a simple enough act. You know what you’re doing—helping someone—and you know why you’re doing it—because it feels good to help. But what you might not realize is that your small act of kindness could brighten that person’s entire day. Maybe they were having a terrible morning, and your gesture restored their faith in humanity a bit. They, in turn, might pass on that kindness to someone else. See how one small action can snowball into something much bigger?

So, how can we apply this wisdom in our daily lives? Start by being more mindful of your actions. Before doing something, take a moment to consider not just what you’re doing and why, but also what potential impacts your actions might have. This doesn’t mean you should get paralyzed by overthinking every little move—just have an awareness that your actions have consequences, some of which you might not see immediately.

Picture this scenario: you’re at work, and you’ve been asked to mentor a new employee. You know what you’re doing—sharing your knowledge—and you know why—because it’s part of your job. But think beyond that. Your guidance could shape the entire trajectory of that person’s career. They might take your advice to heart and go on to innovate in ways you never imagined. Or, your support could boost their confidence just when they needed it most.

The next time you’re about to make a decision, big or small, think about the potential ripple effects. Maybe it’s something as simple as offering a smile to a stranger or as significant as choosing a career path. Just remember, your actions can have a far-reaching impact, often in ways you can't predict.

So, next time you're at that metaphorical (or literal) coffee shop, take a moment to think about the full scope of your actions. You might just be surprised at how powerful those ripples can be.