Tell me about a time a small change to your routine made a surprisingly big difference.

A natural way to answer

A while ago I began walking to the shop instead of driving. It seemed minor, but over a few months it really added up. I felt fitter, slept better, and even saved a bit of money along the way.

Key phrases to use

• made all the difference — had a very big positive effect“Going to bed an hour earlier made all the difference.”
• added up — (of small amounts) gradually combined into something significant“Those short walks really added up over time.”
• set the tone — to create a particular mood or standard for what follows“A calm morning sets the tone for the whole day.”