Real Opportunities Are Small
My bride mentioned that I don’t rinse the sink after I wash my teeth. You’d be surprised how much debris accumulates in the teeth while eating breakfast. I’m negligent with a good heart. It’s not malice. It’s neglect.
I’m thinking big thoughts when I do mindless things. I can’t notice a small opportunity like a dirty sink.
“Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important.” T.S. Eliot
I rinse the sink every time now. But she doesn’t thank me! I’ve been doing good for months and still – not a single word of gratitude. Yesterday I had a discomforting thought. I never thanked her for rinsing the sink.
I don’t know how long she cleaned my toast debris. But I know I never thanked her. Not one time.
Real Opportunities
Act Small
The real opportunities in life are small. Big thoughts lead to self-importance. You don’t notice small things when your mind is solving big problems. Kindness doesn’t feel important when finding solutions is all that matters. And who has time to be present?
Defeat Distraction
Oblivion is negligent distraction. Neglect is a small step from malice. I’m not present when the Water Pik drills debris from the gaps in my teeth. My mind is focused on the conversations of the day.
You might be oblivious if…
- You walk past people without noticing them.
- You’re surprised at people’s reactions to you.
- You don’t ask, “How are you?”
- You push your agenda without seeking wisdom from others.
- You view dissent as offensive.
- You listen to solve, not learn.
- You don’t say thank you.
People are opportunities, not interruptions.
My wife is my treasure. But being full of my own concerns turned into neglect.
Self-importance neglects the most important people.
How can you seize small opportunities today?
Still curious:
The Five Opportunities of Good Fortune
The Little Things Really are the Big Things | Psychology Today
I’m sharing this with my kind, loving, gentle but oblivious and often neglectful 16 year old son.
Thanks for giving some words to frame my scattered thoughts. The young man takes after his Dad (me).
Thanks, Greg. It’s a delight to offer something share-worthy.
Great post today, Dan! This is timely for me. I just got back from Thanksgiving vacation and decided my 1:1s with my team are going to change. We need to slow down and stop focusing on what tasks we are doing. I want to know HOW they are doing. What is causing them issues, what is working, what do they need help with. Let’s slow down and appreciate each other’s talents. We have plenty of other opportunities to move fast!
Congratulations, SB. I’ve worked with leaders who have made similar choices. It pays off. People end up motivated and more engaged. I wish you well.
Beautiful reminder found today after returning from Thanksgiving holiday. The ‘distraction is disrespect’ comment hit home. While I strive to see others and be respectful, I am often distracted. I will work on presence this week. Thank you for today’s post.
I wish you well on the journey, Robin. It seems to take constant reminders. We forget what matters most because we focus on urgencies.
I just went to the housekeeping staff this morning and said “thank you for cleaning my office”. I didn’t think twice about it. We need to treat the housekeeper the same way we treat the CEO. We need to work those thanks into our day and make it as natural as brushing our teeth in the morning.
We learn about ourselves and others when we notice them. It seems we also learn about ourselves by the type of people we notice. If we ignore frontline folks to fawn over higher ups it says something about us.
I’m going to use the quote, with attribution, “People are opportunities, not interruptions”. I am given dozens, possible hundreds of opportunities every day to show kindness and radiate positive energy if myeyes are open to see them. Radiating positive energy always comes back, usually magnified, although I also have to have my eyes open to see it.
Thanks Jerry. You remind me of Kim Cameron’s book, “Positive Energy Leadership.” Kim says the real leaders in an organization are the people with positive energy, regardless of their title. They energize others when they show up with positive energy.
I cannot tell you how often I have a coworker in my office telling me bits of information that I cannot repeat back to him/her because I was distracted. This is a great reminder for people like me…I’m sure I am among friends here 🙂
Hi Matt. Growth requires us to see and acknowledge our opportunities for growth. You’re in good company. Between you and I, after my wife read this post, she said, “You still forget to rinse the sink.” She spoke in good humor, but I truly was surprised. Still room for growth.