I’ve had many experiences in life that have reminded me how important it is for all of us to pay attention to every detail of any project we are given to ensure that we always produce quality results. It`s often these small details that can cause a project to succeed or fail.

Years ago someone shared an awesome article with me on this topic that was written by a man named Gary Ryan Blair. He expressed it so well I wanted to share the article with all of you:

“If you long to accomplish great and noble tasks, you first must learn to approach every task as though it were great and noble. Even the grandest project depends on the success of the smallest components.

The popular philosophy that instructs us not to “sweat the small stuff” is flawed, because it breeds poor customer service, under-performance, wasted opportunity, mistakes, inconsistencies, rework, and oversights.

From typos to tardiness, many people and organizations act as if details just don’t matter much. The result of this mindset is that they treat customers poorly, deliver sloppy results, and show up both unprepared and late.

Many people downplay small details, dismissing them as minutia, the “small stuff” that we’re encouraged to ignore. But in fact, our entire environment is simply an accumulation of tiny details. Although we measure our lives in years, we live them in days, hours, minutes and seconds.

Every action, every detail of our lives, has bottom-line repercussions; and it’s dangerous and derogatory to think of any of those details as trivial, unimportant or inconsequential

Successful people, in many walks of life, understand the importance of detail:

-Crime scene investigators know that it’s often the smallest, most obscure detail that results in the arrest and prosecution of criminals.

-Athletes and coaches are all too aware that one minor misjudgment can swing momentum to their competitor and result in a loss rather than a win.

-Doctors and nurses understand that the slightest mistake or loss of focus can result in a tragic situation that carries massive liability.

-Business people carefully oversee the details of their products and services, knowing that one simple slip-up can cause a series of events that negatively impacts the bottom line, brand integrity, and public perception.

-Engineers and architects know that the stability of the most gigantic structure depends on the integrity of its smallest element; a failed bolt or a misplaced pin can have huge consequences.

-Fireman, first aid responders, and other emergency personnel are trained to focus on details even as a tragedy unfolds; as every second can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.

-Amusement parks know that the safety and physical well-being of their guests, and the financial viability of the company, require consistent and meticulous attention to the minute mechanical details of rides and attractions.

-Computer programmers spend their careers tightly focused on detail, as one incorrect digit in a code of millions can create an operational nightmare for the end user.

-Automotive detailers make their living by restoring a car to showroom condition. This requires the removal of every last piece of lint, dirt, and grime; and the major tool of their trade is a simple Q-tip.

Ultimately, the key to quality in every aspect of our lives is doing little things correctly – all the time, every time, so that each action produces a quality result.

When every detail is lovingly attended to, and each step in the process is given complete and careful attention, the end result inevitably will be of the highest quality. Consistent attention to the small details produces excellence, that’s why we must all sweat the small stuff!!” —————————–end of article

Today’s challenge is for all of us put our heart and soul into to the details of our work in order to produce the very best quality in all we do. And have an amazing day today!

~Amy Rees Anderson