When all seems lost, the smallest spark can give you traction.

And as I found out during a recent training session, this same spark, can change your thoughts and your mindset forever.

While running at the track, I saw a small metal object out of the corner of my eye.  I guess the sun must have caught it just right as I was going by.

It was so faint, that I almost missed it.  I could have just run by and never given it another thought.

But I didn’t.  I stopped.

It was a small cleat that had come off of someone’s shoe. This small piece of metal seemed so insignificant when it was laying on the track.  But it’s strength was as deceptive as it was small.

This cleat, when added to a shoe, made the shoe ten times better.  It made it ten times more effective.  It changed how fast the runner was and ultimately, was responsible for the runner’s success.

It dawned on me, it is the small things in our life that can have the greatest impact on our motivation, our success, and our inner strength.

But we must be willing to listen.  We must be willing to open our eyes and see them – as I did that day on the track.  If I was caught up in my running, had my eyes shut and was too much in a hurry, I would have missed it.  I would have missed the message…

The littlest things in life, can mean so much…

If you are struggling in your life and just watching the days go past, maybe it is time to open your eyes and see the little things.

Not be too busy at your job and miss the call from your Mom, Dad,….or family….

Not be too busy driving and miss the sun, the sky, the trees, to take a big breath….

Not be too busy to really listen to what others have to say, instead of just waiting for your turn to talk….

Not be too busy trying to earn a living for your family and forget to enjoy your family.  Or spend time with your family.  To laugh with your family.

As I sit here in this hotel room, all I can think about and try to REMEMBER, is all of the little things my wife and kids do that make them special to me – so my time away doesn’t seem so long.  This gives me strength to work hard, to work smart AND NOT waste my time while I’m away.  To make every day, every minute, every second count – so that I can say I did everything I could to do the job right.

If one day fades into the next and you’re missing the little things, you’re missing EVERYTHING that is important.

Yes, it is true…

When all seems lost, the smallest spark can give you traction.

These little things are the reason we do what we do.  The reason we are who we are.  Don’t forget them as you move from one day to the next.  Remembering these little things can not only give you traction to work smarter, to stand up and be a man, but they also allow you to remember what defines you.  And if you focus on “the why” you do what you do, you will become unstoppable.

When it is time to work, you work.  And you give it everything you have.

When it is time to slow down, do it.

And remember the little things…

Rage,

Smitty