Little things make a big difference!

What are the little things in your life that make a big difference? We got to thinking about this question as we watched the Olympics recently. The participants train for years, sometimes for a lifetime and it can come down to little things that make a big difference in the outcome.

Because we coach people and businesses, we see how little things can make a big difference.
I (Lynn) recognized those differences when shopping recently. Shopping is not my favorite thing to do so Doug often does it. He can run through the store, grab what’s needed and be home in a jiffy. But one day, shopping was my task. In trying to find a product, I made several rounds of the store. Even though it probably was good exercise, I was getting frustrated because I wasn’t preparing for the Olympics and everywhere I looked, the product was not to be found. I asked three clerks in the store and they pointed me in three different directions, with the statement, “That product is probably over there.” By now, I was running late and not looking for a “probably over there” destination. Fortunately, another customer came to my rescue and said, “That product is hard to find, so let me take you to it.” My hero! That little act of kindness made a big difference. As a customer, we see how the little things that are done – or not done – make a big difference in how we feel and where we shop.

In personal life, little things also matter a lot and there are many opportunities to show people you care. Unfortunately, when doing little things is ignored too long, someone might even leave a relationship. Then the other person regrets not having done those special little things. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and miss doing those things that cost little and yet make the other person feel very special. Sometimes it’s a call, a text, an email or even a letter or card. Recently a neighbor returned a plastic container to us and inside were two chocolate hearts. Very thoughtful!

We asked some people how little things make a big difference in their personal and work life. We met Mary Stumpfl at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. She answered, “My biggest thing about the little things is just to be kind to one another. I try to be kind to my friends and we try to be kind to our guests here at the Dinner Theatre when they walk in, to make them feel welcome and make them feel that this is an important occasion for them.” We noted that Mary practices doing little special things both at home and at work. Mary added, “I try. I love to bake, so lots of times I’ll bake biscotti and give it to my friends as a treat because we all get together for coffee. I’m Swedish and I love coffee.” We’re sure that Mary makes her friends happy with her home-made biscotti.

Then we met Katie Nordby and asked her about special little things she does in her life and business. Katie said, “My business is called Lotus Lake Gifts and Home Décor. There are so many ways that our little business has little things that affect my life and other peoples’ lives. One of the biggest things is that we have students from Chanhassen High School with disabilities who work here as part of a job training program. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day when they come in to work. The customers, I know, enjoy their presence and their energy in the shop as well. Another thing that I’ve really enjoyed with the shop is people finding perfect gifts for different situations that they’re looking for. They may come in with something sad that’s happened in someone’s life and they want to find something to comfort them with …or [to find a gift for] a happy occasion. It really is meaningful to me to work with people to find things that speak to them in gift-giving.”

The people we talked to do little things in their personal and business lives that make a difference. What about you?

Here’s a challenge: Identify little things you can do to make a big difference and do them now. An old song, Little Things Mean a Lot, sung by Kitty Kallen says, “Show you me you haven’t forgot, for always and ever, now and forever, little things mean a lot.” Yes, little things make a big difference!

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2017 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.