The Domino Effect: Why One Habit Can Unlock the Rest

It was almost Easter, and my daughter wanted to give cards and chocolates to every girl in her class. Every one.

I loved the idea of it—her happily handing out little gifts on the last day of school like some tiny benevolent bunny. But seriously: 26 cards? Names I didn’t know? Messages for each one? It was giving me performance-parenting anxiety.

But mother guilt is a cracker.

So I grabbed two packets of pre-made cards and a couple of bags of mini eggs from Woolies (no time for high-end, artsy Instagram crafting here), emailed the teacher for the class list, and came up with a plan.

I wrote each girl’s name on an envelope. That was it. That was the domino. It gave my daughter enough structure to take over—she wrote the card, added an egg, and sealed it with a sticker.

By writing the names, I gave her just enough direction to get the whole thing rolling. It didn’t need to be elaborate. It just needed to start.

And that’s the entire point.

Big tasks become manageable when you tip the first domino.

Why the big picture keeps you stuck

When we look at the whole picture—write a book, launch a business, get fit, change careers—it’s like staring down a last minute three-tiered fondant Easter fantasy cake. No wonder your brain short-circuits.

People don’t get stuck because they lack ideas or drive. They get stuck because they’re trying to tackle the entire vision at once.

Cue overthinking. Cue procrastination. Cue feeling bad about procrastinating.

But here’s what scientists say works: find the starter domino that sets the rest in motion.

What Is the Domino Effect?

The Domino Effect is simple: one small action can knock over the next. Then the next. Then the next.

You don’t need to push all the dominos at once.
You just need to tip the first one.

And if you choose the right one, it will set in motion a course of action that moves you towards the end goal.

The Power of One Clear Move

One small move does a few very powerful things:

• It creates momentum. You’re no longer thinking—you’re doing.

• It narrows your focus. No more juggling 42 tabs in your brain.

• It shifts your identity. You go from “I can’t start” to “I’m someone who takes action.”

The steps are easy. Figure out which task will have the most impact—even if it’s the only thing you do today.

String a few of those days together?
You’ll be surprised how far that momentum takes you.

How to Find Your First Domino

1. Ask the Right Question

Tom Bilyeu (Impact Theory, Quest Nutrition) explains:

“What’s the ONE thing that, if I did it, would make everything else easier or unnecessary? That’s your lead domino. Focus on it relentlessly.”

This question cuts through noise. It gets you to the task with the most leverage.

2. Use the GOAL – ICE Method

Still not sure which domino to push? Score each option with this quick framework:

• G – Know Your Goal: What are you actually trying to achieve?

• I – Impact: How much will this task move the needle?

• C – Confidence: How sure are you that you can do it today?

• E – Ease: How simple is it to start?

Pick the task that balances impact, confidence, and ease. You don’t need perfect—you need movement.

Real-World Example: Tasha’s Book vs. Blog Dilemma

Goal: Build an audience around her ideas on career reinvention

Option 1: Write a book

• Impact: High (Credibility builder)

• Confidence: Medium (Good writer, but overwhelmed)

• Ease: Low (Huge time commitment)

Option 2: Start a blog

• Impact: Medium-High (Reach early readers)

• Confidence: High (Plenty of ideas)

• Ease: High (Publish directly, get feedback)

The insight?
Start with the blog. It’s the lead domino. It builds her voice, grows her audience, and clears the way for the book later—with less fear and more clarity.

3. Start So Small It’s Impossible to Fail

• “Go for a walk” becomes “put on sneakers.”

• “Write an article” becomes “open a blank doc and write one sentence.”

• “Create a brand” becomes “choose one font and color.”

Tom Bilyeu explains:

“Start small, but be consistent. It’s the daily wins that build momentum.”

4. Follow Your Energy

What excites or bothers you the most right now?
What would make you feel proud if you did it today?

That’s often where your first domino lives.

5. Watch Out for the Wrong Domino

Here’s the trap: choosing something that feels productive but actually keeps you stuck.

Let’s talk email.

Many people start their day processing their inbox. It’s quick. It’s familiar. It gives a quick hit of satisfaction.

But email is a reaction task. It’s you responding to other people’s priorities—not creating your own.

Spending your best brainpower on email is like using high-octane fuel to idle in traffic. Save that energy for something that moves you forward.

There’s nothing wrong with replying to email—just don’t let it eat your morning. Your lead domino should be yours. Something that pushes your goal forward, not someone else’s.

What to Do About It

• Write it down: What’s your lead domino?

• Do it today: Even for 5 minutes.

• Celebrate the win: Small wins count (especially when it comes to building momentum).

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

Final Thought

All you need to do is write the name on the envelope.

Start with the domino you can tip.
And watch what happens next.