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The Little Things
Jude Manickam
July 13, 2023
“Pay attention to the little things, for you never know where they'll lead.”
This was the gist of the message from an email I received earlier this week.
I let it soak in my head for a while. And while it soaked, I got hit by another surprise:
“Tea is difficult to drink quickly because it is hot and needs time to steep, and so a cup of tea forces you to slow down and think as you wait for it to cool and become more flavorful”
I have been drinking tea all my life but had never connected it to slowing down, reflecting, or even making good conversation.
There is more than meets the eye.
The little things.
Back when I was growing up, the soul ballad Stop Look Listen To Your Heart - was a staple on the radio.
The song urges listeners to take a moment to pause, observe, and listen to their hearts when it comes to matters of love and relationships.
But in today's fast-paced, always-connected world, where hustle, constant activity, and multi-tasking are the expectation, to deliberately slow down and take time to pause before making important decisions or even to smell the roses, is counter-cultural.
However, it may be exactly what is needed.
Slow down. Stop. Listen to your heart.
The little things.
“You always had it in you to create miracles, but you forgot that it required you to do the opposite of what you are doing now.”
Paying attention to the little things applies to all aspects of life, such as choosing an education or career path, a spouse, or a place to live.
It means being mindful and observant of the small details or aspects of a situation or task.
As in this example:
A highly successful entrepreneur attributes his achievements to his teachers' early recognition of his personality traits and skills.
While he was still in primary school, his teachers noticed something that he had been laboring on in a class project. They noticed his talent. They recommended he concentrate on that one skill.
That one action changed his life forever.
The little things.
“What you do with your attention is in the end what you do with your life.”
Interestingly, the opposite of paying attention is being vague or exhibiting “vagueness”.
Today, all around us, it is the norm to be vague, give politically right answers, play to the gallery, deflect legitimate questions, or remain ambiguous when faced with challenging situations.
We see it in people, in organizations, and in leadership at all levels.
A better option would be to just Keep It Simple, Stupid! (KISS)
Simplicity enhances clarity and understanding.
The idea is to simplify things rather than unnecessarily complicate them.
It allows for better communication, avoids vagueness, misleading statements, and better decisions.
It encourages focusing attention on the little things that matter.
Wooden is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. So, when he speaks, it’s good to listen up!
Many successful professional sports teams today pay great attention to the little things in order to achieve success.
In a sport where marginal improvements can make the difference between success and failure, every little detail is scrutinized for prime performance and ultimate success.
Player nutrition, training techniques, mental health, tactical analysis, and physical recovery after games are but some of the little details that make big things happen.
"All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time."
So, what happens when we stop for a moment and listen to what is stirring in our hearts?
We open ourselves up to a world of wonder and possibility.
It means enjoying and being grateful for even the smallest experiences.
We can become more creative and see things from new angles, even in ordinary situations.
We become more attuned to the needs and desires of others, building deeper connections and fostering empathy.
Ultimately, paying attention to the little things allows us to live life to the fullest.
Famous Last Words:
A few questions to ponder, maybe while sipping a cuppa tea 😀
What is that one little thing about you that someone has pointed out before?
What are you doing about it?
Till next time,
Jude
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