The ONE THING for today – “Sweat the Details!”

When I hear someone say, “Don’t sweat the details” or “Don’t sweat the little things”, I know they are either lazy or clueless.

“Don’t get bogged down in the details”, now that I agree with.  “Analysis paralysis”, that is a term that sends cold shivers of fear up and down my spine; but having said that, I must tell you that details matter – very much.

Not closing the loop on details is like a man getting dressed and leaving his fly open; he’s dressed, but that one little details is going to be a major distraction for people.

Not closing the loop on details is like buying a new car and never changing the oil; eventually, the little bits of grim and grit is going to shut you down and you will not be able to go anywhere.

Budgets: they’re nice; however, if you don’t hold yourself to that budget everyday you might as well forget it; the term “budget” really means nothing in your life (Can you say “Window dressing”?).

Day-timers: they’re nice, but if you don’t take the time to organize your life – and then follow through on the details – forget it; you’re only fooling yourself (Can you say “Mile wide / inch thick”?)

Little details, like remembering birthdays and anniversaries, really matter.  Little details, like paying your bills and taxes (on time), matter.  Little details like being respectful to others, showing up on time, and keeping your word matter, they matter a lot.

Bottom line: For the effective person, everyday will involved taking care of mundane, boring and extremely important details.

•  “When you see a successful individual, a champion, a ‘winner,’ you can be very sure that you are looking at an individual who pays great attention to the perfection of minor details.” _John Wooden, 10 time national champion basketball coach for UCLA
• “I have yet to meet a good leader who wasn’t also a good manager.” _John Maxwell, The 360 Degree Leader, p. 113