The Little Things

I'm not one for big projects. Especially those that I dread. Cleaning out a closet that's been languishing overstuffed for too long. Or reorganizing a file cabinet. It sucks. So I don't. Whether at home or work, big projects don't have to be big. They can be small if you approach them right.

At home, I take a few minutes out of my day to pay attention to the details of the details. For instance, if I'm in the bathroom and see the sink needs to be cleaned, I'll take a couple of minutes to do it right then and there. Same with the shower head. Or maybe I walk into the kitchen and find a cabinet door isn't closing right. I'll fix it that day.

While it sounds obvious, the benefit is I have a lot of tiny projects. I don't have any weekend killers. This is the same with work - when looking for a file, you might see some folders that need restructuring. I do it right then and there. It's a few minutes, but each little improvement adds up quickly.

It's important to focus on maintenance, whether in your home or at your business. It's not about setting aside a day or a week to work through it, but rather weaving it into the daily. One dish in the sink? Rinse it and put it in the dishwasher. Printer jammed at the office? Take the time to fix it rather than find another printing station.

This isn't just a way to save yourself from big projects. It can prevent problems. I saw the cleaners under my kitchen sink were cluttered, and so I stopped what I was doing to quickly reorganize it. In addition, I took a look under the sink to make sure everything was kosher and noticed the garbage disposal was starting to leak. Another few runs and it may have made quite the mess. Of course, it got replaced.

But that's the thing - you can find other issues and prevent catastrophe by examining the little things every day. Consider at work when you're looking through data, reviewing files, or even working on a project, think about and act on what little things can be fixed along the way.

Yet most importantly, there's a hospitality in paying attention to the details of the details. In the service industry, you can be a bartender, take an order, and provide a customer with a drink with a smile. Or you can check the glasses beforehand to ensure they are clean. Or proactively give them some pretzels to snack on. Provide a straw in their drink with the paper still covering the top opening. Every one of these actions indicates that the details of the details are cared about.

Do you have this habit and standard at your home? In your business? Is it a behavior that's built into the DNA of the company? Do people have the latitude to make sure the little things are attended to? It's not just efficient and hospitable, but it creates a culture of caring - not only for your customers but for your employees and the assets under your care. And when you have your eye on the details, the big things don't have to be so big anymore.

About the Author

Andrea's 25-year, field-tested background provides practical, behavioral science approaches to creating differentiated, human-focused organizations.?A 4x ADDY award-winner, TEDx presenter, and 3x book author,?she began her career at a tech start-up and led the strategic sales, marketing, and?customer engagement efforts at two global industrial manufacturers. She now leads a change agency dedicated to helping companies address both the operational and the psychological components of strategic change.

In addition to writing and consulting, Andrea speaks to leaders and industry organizations around the world. Connect with Andrea to access information on her book, keynoting, research, or consulting. More information is also available at www.pragmadik.com or www.andreabelkolson.com.