101. You’re One Decision Away from a Totally Different Life—Here’s Mine
- Brittany Miller
- Jun 24
- 15 min read
Updated: Sep 15
Have you ever stoped to think that you're were just one decision away from completely different life or business?
Inspired by the powerful read One Decision Away by Amanda Wilson-Ciocci and serveral other Candian, female entreprenurs and co-authors, I’m sharing my 'one decision' moments.
We’re talking about the big moments—the ones that feel risky, get questioned by others (hi, parents 👋), but deep downfeel right. From launching my first blog to quitting my 9–5 and growing Brittany Miller Socials, every pivotal move started with trusting one decision. And now? We’ve made another one. I explain why we’re choosing a slower lifestyle, the financial strategy behind it, and what it means for our family and business dreams.
Plus, I share my current must-reads when it comes to entrepreneurship books and personal development reads that have played a massive role in shaping my life, motherhood, and business journey. In this episode I'm mentioniong some of my favourite reads in 2025 including One Decision Away, and The Let Them Theory by Mel Robins. These aren’t just good reads—they’re fuel for transformation.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why I Put the Books Down — And Why I Picked Them Up Again
For the early years of my business I was a voracious reader of personal development and business books. It was a habit I picked up during a health and fitness journey, when reading growth material was part of monthly book club conversations. I loved it. But at some point, the books started to make me feel worse instead of better.
Every book seemed to be written from a single, narrow perspective: wake up at five a.m., meditate, work out, eat perfectly, and run a million-dollar business. The ideas were useful in seasons when I had the bandwidth. But those best-practice, optimal-lifestyle formulas didn’t apply when your days are filled with tiny humans, renovation projects, a business rebuild and pregnancy. So I put the books down. I stopped reading because I was tired of learning “perfect” routines I couldn’t follow. I stopped because I felt like those pages were showing me a life I didn’t have—yet.
Then I read Amanda Wilson-Ciocci’s co-authored book, One Decision Away, and it hit different. It wasn't a rigid blueprint; they were relatable snapshots. They were, in their own ways, proof that sometimes courage and one specific choice is enough to change everything. That idea—that a single pivot can reroute your whole life—was the push I needed. The phrase one decision away stopped being a slogan and started being a lens through which I could revisit my own life. It brought me back to reading because the lessons felt applicable.
Why the Book One Decision Away Hit Me So Hard
Amanda Wilson-Ciocci’s One Decision Away (and the collection of co-authors who contributed their journeys) comes with a simple promise: you’re one decision away from a different life. Each chapter profiles a different woman who made a brave choice that shifted her personal or professional path. What made the book useful for me was that each story was imperfect, messy, human and often accessible — not a story of overnight success but of slow, deliberate pivoting.
I finished the book in a single sitting. Why? Because I recognized parts of myself in those chapters. I realized that the choices I had made—small and large—weren’t random flukes. They added up. Those choices were my own collection of one-decision-away moments.
As I read, I thought about the exact decisions that changed my trajectory. Each decision had a ripple effect, sometimes obvious and sometimes subtle. When a friend asks me now, “How did you get here?” I can point to a handful of decisions and say, “That was the moment.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether the next choice matters, I’ll tell you from experience: yes. It’s often the next thing, the small step, or the brave phone call that changes the path. Sometimes it’s a big leap, and sometimes it’s a tiny pivot — but it’s a decision that says, “I’m not staying where I am.” That’s the heart of the one decision away idea.
Other Books That Changed How I Think — The Let Them Theory and More
After One Decision Away, I grabbed Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory, a book that helped translate some of my frustration with family responses and the emotional noise that shows up when you make a bold decision. Mel’s approach is practical, rooted in real-life psychology: we can’t control how people react, but we can let them have their reactions and keep moving. That mindset helped me cope when my parents and close family were hesitant about our move.
Between the stories in One Decision Away and Mel’s work, I found a useful combination: inspiration plus permission. Inspiration to see that others had made brave choices and permission to stop trying to please everyone. That permission has been crucial for the last few big decisions I’ve made.
How these books differ from the "5 AM" playbook
They’re human-centered — they account for kids, renovation, day jobs and messy life stages.
They focus on mindset shifts and courage more than rigid routines.
They show a slower, realistic path to change instead of instant transformation.
That relatability made it easier for me to act. The idea of being one decision away felt less like a gimmick and more like a practical compass.
My One-Decision Moments — Real Stories (Not Just Instagram Highlights)
Now I want to walk you through the specific decisions that changed my life. Some were dramatic; some were quiet. All of them were one step that opened a door.
Starting a blog: Run of the Millers
One of my earliest one-decision-away moments was starting a mom blog while on maternity leave with Thalia. It wasn’t a huge decision in the world’s eyes — blogs are relatively simple to set up — but it changed my trajectory. I began writing about motherhood, which led me to learn online marketing, domain purchases, website setup, and som much more. It forced me to learn how to publish content and grow an audience.
That blog was the first domino. It taught me that I could share my voice publically and that people would read it. This small decision moved me from private to public, from observer to creator — and it eventually nudged me toward social media marketing work.
That was the first time I realized how being one decision away works: the initial choice creates the need for the next skill, which creates another choice, and so on.
Starting Brittany Miller Socials
When I set up Brittany Miller Socials, I thought social media management would be a great way to gain experience and help local businesses. I didn’t have it all figured out. I started in the “wrong” niche for what I truly wanted to do long-term — but that’s okay. Starting the business was a one decision that gave me credibility, practice, and clients.
I learned that sometimes the one decision isn’t perfect. Sometimes the one decision is the messy, right-next-step. Being one decision away doesn’t always mean your first move is the final move. It can be a stepping stone to getting where you want to go.
Quitting my 9–5
Quitting my job was another major one-decision-away moment. I remember the ache of leaving a job I loved because I couldn't find childcare to support an inflexible work schedule, and my own business ambitions. I could have searched for a different job, tried to make everything fit, or kept my business as a side hustle. Instead I chose to quit and focus on entrepreneurship full time.
That word — chose — is important. It didn’t feel like a choice in the moment; it felt like necessity because childcare options were limited and the expectations at work required more than I could give. But when I look back, it was a decision that pushed me to commit and forced growth. It was scary, but it was also freeing.
Saying yes to the unknown became the catalyst for deeper investment in my business and in the life I wanted for my family. Looking back now, I'm very grateful for this turning point in my life. It hasn't been easy but it's been so worth it!
Putting our house on the market and moving far from "home"
Perhaps the most recent and highest-stakes one-decision-away moment came when we decided to sell our house and buy a property in Chatham-Kent — a move away from our hometown of St. Thomas. This felt enormous. We were uprooting family routines, changing commute dynamics, and making a financial pivot that a lot of our family didn’t initially support.
The decision to move wasn’t just about the house; it was a strategy. We wanted space, financial breathing room, and a lifestyle that felt slower and more intentional. At the heart of this move was the belief that one decision could change our day-to-day reality: lower mortgage payments, more property, and the possibility to realign priorities like family time, gardening, and long-term life and business goals like retiring Grayson from his rigid 9-5.
I say this carefully: we were not running away from family. We were moving toward a different structure that supports the life we imagine. Still, it was one of the most emotionally challenging decisions I’ve made. It tested relationships and forced conversations about priorities and trade-offs and there are still family members that don't understand or really support our decision which has been emotionally challenging.
Why the Country Move Was a Strategic "One Decision Away"
There were very practical reasons for our decision to buy property in a smaller, country town:
Mortgage savings: Our monthly mortgage payments dropped significantly while gaining more square footage and property.
Space for projects: Two acres gives us room for gardens, a possible she-shed, a garage, or even a home-built gym down the road. I also have dreams of Airbnb rentals at the back of our property.
Slower pace: For my mental health, the country felt like the best place to slow down and breathe.
Long-term family planning: Lower fixed housing costs make decisions like “can we scale down Grayson’s day job?” or “should we homeschool?” more realistic. Both are lifestyle changes we'd like to make in the near future.
We didn’t make this decision lightly. We had a list of must-haves and niceties and plenty of conversations. The list helped us avoid impulse decisions and identify the one property that would actually move us closer to the life we wanted.
Our house wish list (how we defined the decision)
Listing our priorities made the decision feel less mysterious and more practical:
Minimum four bedrooms (with at least three on the same floor) — so the house is practical for young kids.
2,200–2,500+ square feet — room for growth and workspaces so I have a dedicated office for podcast recording.
Open-concept or potential to reconfigure — visibility for kids is crucial for a family of 5 children under 6 years old .
Garage or the option to add one — a winter sanity saver when you have so many kids to get into and out of the vehicle in the cold.
Property with acreage (we ended up with two acres) — garden space, and room for future projects to match my never ending imagination and vision board.
Defining the must-haves made the choice feel less like wishful thinking and more like strategy. Each item on that list was a filter, and the filter made the decision to purchase our new house feasible instead of overwhelming.
Family Reactions and the Emotional Cost of a Big Decision
One of the hardest parts about big decisions is that not everyone will cheer. My mom was vocal about her concerns. She worried about distance, renovations, the travel time, asbestos, and whether the kids would be able to see her as much. Her reaction stung. For a few weeks I felt defensive, frustrated, and unfairly judged.
Then I read The Let Them Theory and started practicing a new frame: let people have their feeling, and hold tight to your reasons.
Here are a few things I did to manage the emotional fallout of our decision:
I repeated my reasons out loud until they felt true: lower mortgage, space for projects, slower pace.
I offered specific solutions for visits: set expectations that we’d come to see her regularly or create a space for her to stay overnight if she's visting us.
I acknowledged their fears even when I didn’t agree — sometimes people need to feel heard more than they need to be convinced.
I leaned on books and community to remind myself that discomfort from others is not always a sign you made the wrong move.
Spoiler: we still have work to do on the renovation and the house hasn’t been perfect. There have been hiccups. But I remain convinced that the decision aligns with what we want for our family. It was exactly the kind of pivot that being one decision away makes possible. I hope with time she'll come to see and support the decision.
Financial Strategy: Making the Decision Add Up
When you’re making a decision that impacts a household, the financials matter. If you’re thinking, "We’re one decision away from a different life," the math needs to support that lifetime shift. For our family, the numbers told a clear story:
Lower mortgage payments free up cash for savings and family goals.
More space reduces the need for external rentals or additional property later.
Potential to add income streams (like workshops, homesteading products, or side businesses) on our land.
It’s rare to find a decision that helps with both lifestyle and finance at the same time. That alignment is exactly why I believed this was a true one-decision-away moment. It didn’t just feel better mentally; it added up on paper too.
Renovations, Risks, and Reality Checks
Buying a house that needs work is not romantic in the day-to-day. There have been asbestos scares, back-and-forth decisions about timelines, and the inevitable stress of living in temporary housing (and with my parents) while renovations get done. But every renovation challenge is a micro decision: hire this contractor or that, keep this wall or remove it, add a deck now or later.
When you feel overwhelmed, remember these three renovation decision principles I leaned on:
Prioritize safety and structural fixes first — these aren’t glamorous, but they matter most.
Plan aesthetic changes in phases — you don’t have to do everything immediately.
Keep an "exit plan" financially — worst-case, if the house doesn’t suit you, know how you’d handle selling or renting.
Being one decision away sometimes means making dozens of smaller decisions after the big one — and those choices require patience, humility, and budget buffers.
How This Decision Changed My Business Perspective
Moving to a quieter, more spacious environment forced me to reposition how I think about work. I want a business that supports my family, not one that eats me alive. This decision clarified my priorities:
Scale thoughtfully — focus on coaching and strategy rather than time-intensive management work.
Build passive income — create offers or resources that don’t require my presence every hour.
Keep flexibility — make room for childcare, family travel, and long-term plans like homeschooling.
One decision away doesn’t just alter your living situation; it changes the assumptions you make about how you work. It gave me a permission to realign Brittany Miller Socials toward coaching and strategy instead of trying to do everything for everyone.
How to Know If You’re One Decision Away — My Framework
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you’re really one decision away from something different, here’s a simple framework I use when evaluating big moves. It’s not perfect, but it helps make the unknown more practical.
1. Define the problem clearly
Don’t say “I’m unhappy.” Say “I’m overwhelmed because I’m spending X hours commuting and Y dollars on housing.” Problems with real specifics are solvable.
2. Know your priorities
Is financial stability more important than location? Do you want more time with kids or more income? Rank your needs.
3. Create a must-have wish list
Like my house wish list: four bedrooms, acreage, better mortgage. Your wish list becomes a filter, whether it's for lifestyle choice or business choices.
4. Run the numbers
What does the decision cost now and over five years? Include opportunity costs of the decision as well.
5. Plan the next 12–24 months
What’s your plan for renovations, cashflow, childcare, and relationships? Make it realistic and discuss it with your partner. You both need to be in agreement for the decision and change to work, especially for big decisions and changes.
6. Manage emotions on both sides
Prepare for other people’s reactions. Decide how you’ll respond and what boundaries you’ll set for yourself and for friends and family.
7. Have an exit strategy
If the decision goes wrong, what’s Plan B? Having a fallback reduces fear. An exercise I've done before is asking myself "What's the worst that could happen? If that happened, what would I do?", keep asking that until you get to the very worst possible outcome and usually, the outcome of that situation is not actually as bad as we sometimes make it out to be.
This framework helped me transform abstract longing into a sequence of manageable steps, and that’s how one decision multiplied into dozens of smaller, actionable choices that followed.
Practical Tools and Habits That Help Me Decide
Books helped, but so did routines. Here are the habits and tools I use to make decisions with less regret and more clarity:
Write it out: journaling forces clarity.
Talk to a trusted community: mentors and peers who have done similar things.
Run simple financial models: three-year and five-year projections.
Set small test runs: try a weekend experiment before a permanent shift.
Use the "one-decision-away" test: if the choice brings you measurably closer to what you want, it probably matters.
These tools help me know whether a decision is merely exciting or genuinely strategic.
Lessons Learned: What I Wish I Knew Earlier
After several one-decision-away moments, I’ve learned a few hard truths I want to pass on:
Not everyone will celebrate you — and that’s okay.
Most big choices aren’t glamorous — they’re spreadsheets and phone calls, followed by persistent execution.
You’ll feel fear and still be right — fear is not a reliable signal for whether something is a good choice. Fear simply indicates you're changing direction and that's okay.
Small decisions matter too — consistency in small choices compounds.
Make space for joy — the end goal isn’t busyness; it’s a life that feels purposeful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I know if I’m really one decision away?
A: Start by listing the outcomes you want in the next year (financial stability, more family time, space to create). If a single decision meaningfully moves the needle on more than one outcome, you’re likely one decision away. Use the framework above to test it.
Q: What if my family disagrees with my decision?
A: That’s normal. People project their fears onto others. Listen to their concerns, acknowledge them, then restate your reasons. Offer practical solutions for their concerns and be prepared to set new boundaries with them to match the new reality you're working towards. Remember, their initial reaction is rarely your final reality, give it time.
Q: What if I make the wrong one-decision-away choice?
A: Then you pivot. A decision isn’t always final. Plan for contingencies, set financial buffers, and accept that course-correction is part of the process. I’ve made moves I questioned along the way; sometimes I turned around and adjusted. That’s okay.
Q: How can I reduce the fear of making a big decision?
A: Break the choice into smaller decisions. Test the water with weekend experiments. Journal your worst-case scenario and how you’d handle it. Often, the imagined fear is worse than reality.
Q: How many times have You had to be one decision away to get Where You Are Brittany?
A: Many. Life is a sequence of decisions. The blog, the business, quitting the job, selling our house and moving — each was a single decision that birthed the next set of choices. That’s the point: you don’t need a perfect master plan, you need the courage to take the next step and see what happens.
Final Thoughts: Own Your Next Decision
I’ll end with the simplest truth I’ve learned: being one decision away doesn’t mean you should leap without thinking. It means you should be brave enough to examine the next logical step that gets you closer to what you want. For me, these decisions weren’t glamorous—they were spreadsheets, phone calls, reading book chapters, and long drives giving me plenty of time to think and talk it out with Gray. But they were deliberate.
If you’re wondering whether now is the time to be bold, ask yourself these questions:
Does this decision align with my top priorities?
Can I afford it (including emotional and time costs)?
Do I have a plan for the first 12 months after the decision?
Am I considering the reactions of others without letting them make the choice for me?
When the answer to those questions is mostly yes, that’s when I say: go for it. You might find—like I did—that a single brave decision opens doors you didn’t know existed. You’ll remind yourself that you’re stronger than doubt and more resourceful than fear. And if it doesn’t turn out exactly as planned, you’ll have learned something precious and real.
So if you’re reading this and thinking about the next step: remember you’re almost always one decision away. Make the next one purposeful.
Want to keep this conversation going?
If anything here resonates, please share your story with me on Instagram. Tell me about your one-decision-away moment or the decision you’re wrestling with. Maybe it’s starting a blog, quitting a job, moving for space, or simply choosing a different morning routine. I’m rooting for you—and I’ve been there too. Let’s keep making decisions that move us toward lives that feel a little more aligned, a little less rushed, and a lot more intentional.
Until next time, keep taking steps. You truly might be just one decision away.
Go Get Great Episode 101 References
One Decision Away Book - https://amzn.to/4ll3LNF
The Monarch: The Signature 8 Method for Launching Your Dream Business with Clarity, Confidence & Love - https://amzn.to/4ldOdeq
The Let Them Theory - https://amzn.to/4lpBaa1
5 Books To Read Your First Year in Business Blog - https://www.brittanymillersocials.ca/post/5-books-to-read-in-your-first-year-of-business
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
0:00 Intro
1:00 Personal development reading & book recommendations
3:10 One decision away book
4:00 Mel Robins let them theory
8:00 Starting my blog - Run of the Millers
10:45 Starting Brittany Miller Socials
12:00 Quitting my job
13:30 Moving away
28:00 Finances and visiting family
37:40 Wrap up
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