Little Things Can Lead to Big Succes

Thursday, March 5, 2015 Personal Development big success, discipline, Motivation, Personal Growth Permalink

A former boss once advised, “It’s the little things that make the difference. They’ll make you or they’ll eat your lunch.” From that moment on, I took to heart the notion of making sure that the little things were done right. Little things–like making sure a speaker’s name is spelled correctly on a program, confirming and re-confirming someone’s attendance at an important meeting, making sure enough copies of reports or handouts were available at meetings, insuring that my boss had directions, checking and double-checking my calculations, notating due dates two weeks before their deadlines, making certain that key players were included in sensitive conversations, etc. etc. Over time, I learned that paying attention to details produced big results and success.

I also discovered that how I start my day at home impacts my business day. How do you start your day? Do you have a success routine? Retired Admiral William H. McRaven made the 2014 commencement address at The University of Texas at Austin and it was full of golden nuggets. Suggestions on we can position ouselves for success. One of my favorite ideas is:

If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

My takeaway from his words is that we should begin everyday with a win, regardless of how small or insignificant the win might seem. Completing one or two little things in the morning will launch your day in a proactive mode. Here are some “win” ideas:

Pray or meditate
Write a thank you note
Send a greeting card
Write in your journal
Read 1-2 pages from a positive book
Exercise
Eat breakfast
Clean up
Make your bed
Review your day’s activities
Talk to your children or spouse

If you start your day you with running around, scrambling to find something to wear or quickly tossing something in a bowl to guzzle down, you have put yourself dangerously close to having your day get out of control. Let’s face it, there will be days when the only win you may experience is the one you had at home in the morning. From little morning wins you will give youself a sense of accomplishment and position yourself for success.