Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen S04E27 - Do What Is Great While It Is Small
What goal are you pursuing in your life? Perhaps it’s to be healthier, or to save a relationship, or maybe it’s to break long standing bad habits. It might be to succeed in business, academics, or your spiritual life. Whatever it is, in this week’s episode, McKay gives insight into the most effective way to achieve your goal, and that’s by doing small, consistent actions over time.
He kicks off by narrating the story of a 544 BC Chinese Grandmaster credited with being the author of the famous book The Art of War, which has been used by modern day leaders up to this day. McKay then cites his favorite quote from the book, “Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, and do what is great, while it is small”, and goes on to reveal how a small and quick apology early on can prevent a potentially large disagreement later. He also shares examples of how doing something small may not seem urgent today, but could lead to something great in the future or even prevent a disaster, and emphasizes the need for consistency in doing the small things for they have a cumulative effect and become more powerful. In essence, today, McKay reveals why the “go big or go home” mentality may not be the most effective, and in doing so, reminds us that what is simple to do is also simple not to do, so we need to be apt to take small, consistent actions to reach our goals.
The Finer Details of This Episode:
· Stories and examples of the effects of doing or not something great when it’s still small.
· The law of attraction.
· How doing something small led to Stanford University.
· The fallacy of the “go big or go home” mentality.
· The principle of action-oriented momentum.
· How small things lead to great outcomes.
· Being apt to act.
Quotes
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, and do what is great while it is small.”
“Small things done consistently alter the trajectory of your life.”
“It's easy to do something today rather than trying to make up lost ground tomorrow.”
“Small is easy, small is fast, small doesn't take much time, and small is doable.”
“Small choices are at the root of almost every result in life.”
“A small thing that will lead to something great comes about just by doing the next right thing.”
“While small may not be sexy, small moves are successful and sustainable.”
“Small has a sister and her name is simple.”
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