No Small Stuff

I've always disliked the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff". It's always seemed to me that one of the best ways to accomplish big things is to build on the smaller stuff we have to deal with. I get that it's important not to get bogged down with meaningless details but we have to make sure that we aren't justifying sloppy shortcuts in the name of not fretting the smaller things. Below is a great quote from Dale Carnegie on the subject. (If you've not read Dale Carnegie - run,do not walk to your nearest library, bookstore or download his work. Seriously.)

"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves."  ~Dale Carnegie

You see, if you aren't sweating the small stuff, you never get into the habit of sweating the big stuff. It really is about sweating all the time. I had a yoga instructor who liked to say that the way you do anything is the way you do everything.  It's about developing the habits that will yield results - in all areas of your life. If you are in sales, do you try to make that extra presentation each week? If you are making outbound phone calls to sell or generate leads, do you try to make just one more call each hour? In service, do you try to expedite each transaction in order to serve your customers quickly and effectively - with a smile and yet without making them feel rushed?

You are judged every day in many ways. What may seem small to you may be big to someone else. In the end it really all comes down to character. Are you the kind of person who puts forth their best effort all the time or do you skimp if you don't think anyone's looking? (and believe, these days, everyone's looking)  

Doing your best, all day, every day pays off. You may not see the results immediately, but you will see the fruits of your efforts over time.

What are your thoughts?