To Kill a Mocking Mosquito

Decades have passed since my youthful teenage days. Many have dropped from my fan list…but somehow, mosquitoes continue to find me attractive. It is probably because I never reciprocated.

These days, every evening we do the family ritual of hop-clap-jump to search and kill these few bloodthirsty invertebrates. It is good exercise and family fun-time too!

Never do we think twice before killing the mosquitoes, leaving a spatter art on the bedroom walls. I must also share that we briskly switch channels when there is animal slaughter on screen. I wonder why would mosquito slaughter be acceptable and fun? Would we have the same indifference if mosquito were of a larger build?

I guess the answer lies is in the insignificant size of the mosquito…after all, killing a mosquito is not gory !

Sets me to ruminate how we easily ignore the small and ‘insignificant’.

Big is revered, counted, can not be missed…small is insignificant and often misses consideration.

What All are we routinely taking for granted? This surely merits pause and contemplation. Here are few surmised elements that I could identify around me.

• Cost Savings ideas that are deprioritized because the ‘size of prize’ is small or simply because the idea is not glamorous.
• Process, culture, team engagement ideas from the last man on the shop floor. Have we provided a mechanism for his voice to be heard? If yes, how many use the conduit to reach you…"No news may not be good news!"

• Do we say enough “Thank you !” (with a smile). Do you inadvertently say “it’s her job.. so why ‘Thank you’?” Be gentle, express your gratitude more often. If your business mind is not convinced, do it as an investment (it shall give high RoI).
• Knowing the people in your team. The person who refills the coffee machine…he has a name !
• Breathe…involuntary act, it is. Do breathe deep. This helps burn more calories and stay fit.

• Allocate deliberate time to magnify the presupposed elements. Some of them may have treasures in store.
• Big goal and resolutions are overwhelming, intimidating. Break into ‘insignificant’ small tasks. After all, “a long journey starts with a small step”.

Infinitesimally small atoms are a big source of (nuclear) energy !

Backed with firsthand experience, I can say that it made a note-worthy impact when the small elements were cared about.

What have been the small packets of opportunity that you have harnessed? Your winning story will inspire us…do share your thoughts the comment box below.

… Let’s Unravel our Tessellations!

All views expressed in this article are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.