The Butterfly Effect

We have all heard of the Butterfly Effect in one form or another. One particular version of it goes like this:

A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian jungle, and this causes a tornado in Iowa, a hurricane in Malaysia, or whatever meteorological disaster suits your narrative. Underpinning it is an implied direct causal relationship between the limited action of the butterfly’s wings and some large-scale resultant outcome. It is often used to prop up arguments about the “interconnectedness” of the natural world.

Where it all started

Let’s explore the Butterfly Effect in greater detail.

Edward Lorenz was an American mathematician and meteorologist who was deeply interested in the theory behind predicting weather and climate patterns. He was particularly interested in computer-aided analyses of atmospheric physics and meteorology. 

In 1960, Dr Lorenz was trying to solve the problem of weather prediction. Although computing functionality at that time was very basic, he had set up a computer with a set of twelve equations to model the weather. And here is an important point. His equations did not predict the weather, but they indicated what the weather might be.

Now you can imagine that computing these equations at that time took a long time to complete because of the number of decimal points in the numbers. To save time he used a particular number to only 3 decimal places. In the original sequence, the number was .506127, and he had only typed the first three digits, .506.

Now, let’s pause here for a moment. The “1” in the .506127 sequence is one ten-thousandth, and the “2” is two hundred-thousandths. These are infinitesimally small numbers. In our everyday world, they are of almost no consequence. Using a number to the first three decimal points should have produced a sequence very close to the original sequence.

But it didn’t. The computer sequence coughed up an entirely different result. Instead of a pattern similar to the one before, it produced a pattern completely different from the original.  This mathematical effect came to be known as the Butterfly Effect. The term is used as a metaphor to explain how a small difference can, over time, result in massive changes. The difference in the two computed curves’ starting points is so small that it is comparable to a butterfly flapping its wings.

Robert Lorenz carved his name in history as the founder of modern chaos theory, a branch of mathematics focusing on the behaviour of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions. It is a key part of understanding the dynamics of modern climate change. For example, it demonstrates how minute increases in carbon dioxide can have massive and devastating consequences over time.

What does this mean for us?

What can we learn from Dr Lorenz? How can we use the insights he provided? The essential takeaway of Lorenz’s work is that small changes can have massive implications over time. We cannot predict what these consequences will be, but they can give us an indication of what might be.

The way you spend your time, what you eat and drink, and how you exercise will make little appreciable difference in the short term. But in the long term that can add up to a life of health and well-being or a life of disease and disability.

Consider this. What will be the long-term impact of these two approaches?

• Small but consistent attention is paid to building strategy, developing the team, and seeking new opportunities.
• Small but consistent attention is paid to micromanaging team members, finding fault, and blaming others.

The answer is a no-brainer, of course, the first approach is the more desirable one to pursue. The items you buy, the people you interact with, the way you spend your workday, and the things you say, each have cascading effects that ripple through society. You can see a compounding effect taking place over time. The question is: at the end of your career do you want a net positive outcome or a net negative outcome?

What you can do

Any small thing or current habit that you can change in your daily routine will make you more productive, more efficient, and happier. Some productive habits can even lead you to massive success.

It’s easier to start with lifestyle opportunities. 

• What small changes can you make to meals? One small potato instead of a large one. 
• What small changes can you make to get more exercise? Climbing stairs instead of riding the lift. 
• What small changes can you make to improve relationships? Invite a different friend to coffee every month.
• What small changes can you make to have more time to read? Watch half an hour’s less television.

None of these lifestyle changes will be an inconvenience, and once they are part of your routine you won’t notice them. In the short term, you are likely to see very little difference. And that is all right. Don’t be disheartened. Because over 20 years the changes will be astounding. You are playing a long game.

Now, transfer your attention to the workplace. Consider what you can do about the following:

• Be punctual for meetings.
• Respect and achieve deadlines.
• Manage your time for a healthy work-life balance.
• Take criticism well. 
• Ask relevant questions.
• Be organised- your folders, your emails, your workstation.
• Communicate effectively.
• Take the initiative when work has to be done.
•  Learn a skill proactively- a software application, a method, or a technique.
• Be kind and encouraging. 

As with lifestyle changes, none of these will be an inconvenience, and once they are part of your routine you won’t notice them. You can’t predict the outcome, but you can have a shrewd idea of how it will end.

The power of compounding

And here’s another thing. Let’s assume you make just three simple lifestyle changes and five simple workplace changes. They are very simple to do, and it’s not going to be a drastic and bewildering change to your everyday experience. 

Now consider the combined compounding effect of all these changes working in concert over ten or fifteen years. While we cannot predict what will happen to you in the long term, we can assume you will be in a much better place than if you had not made these changes.

The butterfly effect is very real and very powerful. It’s also very simple, which is why it is often ignored. We want to go and do the BIG things; the little things seem so inconsequential. But the little things have great power to support change. These small behaviour changes become automatic and effortless. You will realise you have the power to improve your life, which can help bring you closer to being the person you want to be. And that is something we all aspire to.

Make the little changes and the big things will look after themselves. Back to the butterfly. The chrysalis is unimpressive. It gives little indication of what is to come. But we are in awe when the butterfly emerges.

Make the power of the butterfly effect work for you.

.oOo.