“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh

One of George's favorite sayings that has really stuck with me is this: “How you do the small things in life is how you do all things.”

Not only is that a powerful maxim we should all think about in the context of our own lives, his statement also got me thinking about the role “small things” should play in our lives.

For example, have you ever found yourself stuck in a "waiting" mindset? What I mean by that is, rather than focusing on and experiencing gratitude for where you are in the present, you find yourself perpetually longing and waiting big, shiny, new things to come along.

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"I'll be happy when I finally have a relationship."

"When I get that new job, everything will be perfect."

"All I need is a new place to live, and then I'll be locked in."

"One day I'll have the life I've always dreamed of, but until then ..."

Looking ahead and planning for the future is key to possessing a growth mindset, but taken to the extreme, we run into problems. Specifically, we fail to recognize that we're living our lives fully and completely right now, while also overlooking the small things that are happening in our lives.

Now, while George's statement and my example of "missing the small things in life" may seem different on the surface, they share a distinct and important commonality. They're both related symptoms of the same larger root problem that many of us suffer from without even realizing it.

While BIG moments and BIG milestones certainly matter, the beauty of life (and often the true measure of our character) are found most often (and in greater abundance) in the "small things."

⚡ Go Deeper: How to Set Healthy Expectations to Cultivate Confidence, + Self-Trust

When I say small things, I want to be clear on what I’m talking about — small things can be small, seemingly insignificant choices, small events that pale in comparison to the milestones or achievements we seek, small actions or activities we engage in every day without thinking. 

Join George and I this week as we devote a big amount of attention to the small things. Together, we explore the concept of how you do small things is how you do all things, and how focusing on the small things can lead to a more fulfilling life. We also discuss the consequences of overlooking small things and the benefits of cultivating a reverence for them, as well as share practical tips for maintaining focus on the small things and appreciating their value.

Small Things Takeaways + Highlights

• Knowing the difference between milestones vs. destinations helps us appreciate the journey, not just where we're trying to go.
• Incorporating mindfulness into daily life can profoundly change how one perceives and experiences the world. By being fully present and engaged, individuals can appreciate the nuances of their experiences, leading to a deeper appreciation of life's small joys and a reduction in stress and anxiety.
• Cultivating a reverence for the small things teaches the value of simplicity, showing that happiness does not always stem from grand achievements or possessions but often from simple, everyday experiences.
• Think about getting a smile from someone you don't know, feeling the sun warm on your face, someone doing something nice for you, taking a quiet minute to yourself, or that happy feeling you get when your favorite song comes on. These small things happen daily, and even though they might seem tiny, they help shape how we feel and go through life.
• Small things matter so much because they accumulate to define the quality of our daily lives. Each small choice or experience, though seemingly inconsequential on its own, contributes to a larger tapestry that shapes our overall well-being and perception of life.
• The little things we do every day without thinking, like brushing our teeth or saying thank you, turn into habits. These habits shape our lives more than we might realize. When we make good small choices, they add up to good habits, which make our lives better.
• Giving our full attention is like a special present we can offer ourselves and the people around us. It means really diving into whatever we're doing or whoever we're talking to, which makes our work better and our connections with others stronger.
• This conversation is really important because it helps us see that life isn't just about the end results but also about how we get there and the experiences we share along the way.

Questions We Discuss

• Why is this conversation important to our collective beyond your default journey?
• “How you do the small things in life is how you do all things.” Where did that come from, and did you always believe that?
• Whether we’re talking about small choices we make or small experiences that seem inconsequential at the time, why do these small things matter so dang much?
• What are the consequences of overlooking or missing the small things?
• Why do we think folks so often overlook the small things?
• Have we ever lost focus on the present day choices and happenings because we were too focused on the future or didn’t realize the power of a present moment?
• How do we maintain presence and focus in the current moment?
• How can people better focus on the small choices and happenings in their lives?