“If cleaning out your closet everyday helps you achieve your dreams then why not clean out your closet everyday?”
The small things matter
This idea has popped up twice in the last two weeks during my coaching sessions: clients brushing off the silly little things they do as if these things have no effect on why they are having success.
“I always run if I write my runs out on a calendar and make sure I have my iPod with me. Silly things like that.”
And,
“I cleaned out my closet and got this burst of energy. If only I could clean out my closet before every challenging task I have to do.”
If scheduling and listening to music help you run then are they silly little things?
If it works then why not clean out your closet every time you have a challenging task?
Pay attention to what works then do it over and over again
It seems like people like to focus on the big things that help them to succeed: training and education, business systems, mastermind groups, coaches, meetings, etc.; while ignoring the little things that could be just as important.
I start everyday of working from home with two cups of coffee. Cup of coffee number one signals: time to hang out with my son and enjoy the morning. Then I get ready for work and grab cup of coffee number two which signals: time to go to the office and get the day started.
Two cups of coffee. Every morning. In the exact same pattern.
Silly? Perhaps. Does it work for me? Definitely.
What parts of your day do you currently consider silly or unimportant that could actually be one of the small keys to your success?
When I come home from work I pick my little boy and head for 30 minutes of walk around our neighborhood. At first it felt unproductive, but then I did not realize that I was bonding with my son and my mind is so relaxed that ideas flows in abundance. Most of the time, the articles I write on my blog come from these little walk.
I love it Walter! This is exactly what I was talking about. I recently realized that one of the best things I could do when I was getting frustrated with a piece of writing, or a technical difficulty all I needed to do was come up from my office and play some cars or trains with my son. Yes I lose 30 minutes to an hour of work time, but when I go back to my office I am super productive.
I also walk my dog when in need of ideas. Just me, my dog, and my thoughts. It always brings up something new in my brain.
Jeremie
Jeremie:
I decided to check out your site after reading your pertinent comments in the Tent. I love this post! For me, it’s the small things that lead to bigger things, always has been. It’s the “go out to the garden and pull weeds for ten minutes” while I stop thinking and let my heart settle, let my mind and heart catch up to each other…is good.
Nice to have found you…
Annah
Annah,
I am so glad you took the time to come and give Sunday Night Success a look!
Personally, nothing could be more agonizing for me than pulling weeds in the garden (I spent my childhood weeding a full acre veggie garden every Sunday), but your point is well taken. I really like the idea of using small things to build our energy up to tackle those bigger tasks or challenges. It is one of those useful tools that I often forget and have to remind myself about as I sit at my computer staring at a paragraph I am stuck on, or cursing my house as I try to complete a difficult repair.
I love the image of allowing your mind and heart to catch up to each other. I have never thought of it that way, but it really hits home for me.
Thanks Annah!
Jeremie