I’m not much of a cake person. Neither is my family. But when it comes to cheesecake—now, that’s a different story. Cheesecake is our dessert of choice for birthdays, holidays, or just because. So last week, when my birthday rolled around, my kids didn’t even need to ask. They knew exactly what to get: cheesecake.

Now, I’ve been trying hard to cut out sugar, but let’s be real—on your birthday, all bets are off. We lit the candles, sang the song, and I savored every bite of my special birthday treat. Later, I tucked the remaining cheesecake away in the fridge.

The Cheesecake Calling

The next day, that extra slice called my name. I tried to resist. I reminded myself of my commitment to healthier choices, but then the justifications started rolling in:

   •   I’ll work out extra tonight.

   •   It was my birthday yesterday… so it still kind of counts, right?

   •   You only live once—why not indulge just one more time?

After a mini mental tug-of-war, I decided: I’m going to sit down and truly savor this last piece—make it count and  go back to my no sugar lifestyle tomorrow.

Enter the Bent Fork

I grabbed a fork, took my seat, and lifted that first bite to my mouth. As I pulled the fork away, something felt…off.

One of the tines was slightly bent—not enough to see, but just enough to feel. And suddenly, that perfect, indulgent moment wasn’t perfect anymore. Every bite felt wrong. Instead of enjoying my cheesecake, I was hyper-focused on the fork. I could have easily stood up and grabbed another one, but I didn’t. Why? Was it laziness? Stubbornness? Some weird sense of commitment to the utensil I had already chosen?

Whatever the reason, I sat there and ate the whole slice—annoyed.

Why hadn’t I just taken three steps to the drawer and grabbed a new fork?

The Bigger Lesson

As I scraped up the last bite, a thought hit me: How often do we settle for less in life simply because we don’t take a few extra steps to make things better? How many times do we accept discomfort, inconvenience, or dissatisfaction—just because we don’t make the smallest of changes?

We talk a lot about not sweating the small stuff, but sometimes, it’s the small stuff that makes all the difference. A bent fork. An outdated routine. A job we don’t love. A habit that no longer serves us. What if we took a step—just one step—to improve those things?

How to Stop Settling for Bent Forks in Life

This silly experience with a crooked fork got me thinking about how sometimes it's the smallest shifts that create the biggest ripple effects in our lives. A single change in mindset, routine, or attitude can open the door to new opportunities, better habits, and meaningful growth. Small shifts might not seem like much in the moment, but improving by just 1% each day can lead to incredible results over time. It’s not about overhauling your entire life overnight—it’s about choosing progress over perfection. That tiny daily improvement compounds, creating momentum and confidence that builds into something powerful. When you commit to being just a little better each day, you set the stage for lasting, meaningful transformation. Here’s how to take the first step:

1. Acknowledge the Discomfort - The first step to change is realizing something isn’t working. Many of us get so caught up in our daily routines that we don’t even notice we’ve lost the joy, passion, or excitement in our lives. Take a step back—what’s your “bent fork”? What’s bothering you that you keep ignoring?

2. Define What You Really Want - If something isn’t working, ask yourself:

   •   What would improve this situation?

   •   What small change could make a big difference?

   •   What goal or habit could shift things for the better?

Sometimes, it’s something as simple as grabbing a new fork—other times, it’s about setting a new goal, making a difficult decision, or breaking a pattern.

3. Take Action—Even the Smallest Step Matters - The space between where you are and where you want to be isn’t as wide as it seems—it’s simply waiting for you to take action. And it doesn’t have to be big. Overwhelmed? Start small. Break your goal into simple, manageable steps and just begin.

Progress doesn’t come from giant leaps—it comes from consistent, intentional movement. Even the tiniest step forward is still a step and those small efforts compound over time. Momentum builds, confidence grows, and before you know it, you’re not just closer—you’re becoming the person who gets things done.

4. Enjoy the Process - We often rush through life, always chasing the next goal. But do we stop to celebrate how far we’ve come?

Whatever it is you’re working toward, pause. Enjoy your progress. Savor the moments, just like you’d savor a really good bite of cheesecake (preferably with a functional fork).

5. Keep Growing & Reassessing - Reaching a goal is worth celebrating—but it’s not the finish line. Growth doesn’t stop when you check a box; it continues in small, consistent steps. Always be asking yourself:

• What’s next?
• Where can I improve—just 1%?
• How can I level up, even in small ways?

When you face your next challenge or feel stuck in a routine, remember the lesson of the bent fork: sometimes all it takes is a tiny adjustment—a 1% shift—to completely change the experience. You don’t need to start over. You just need to tweak what’s not quite working. Over time, those little changes lead to big results. Keep moving forward—small steps still take you somewhere.

So, What’s Your Bent Fork?

Now, I’ll leave you with a question: What is something small in your life that’s been bothering you? Something that, with just a minor adjustment, could bring you more joy, ease, or fulfillment?



Don’t settle for frustration when a better experience is just a few steps away. Go grab the right fork—you deserve it.