In an age of information overload having selective ignorance has become increasingly important to have a sane life. Too many of us spend too much time giving our attention to trivial things that are not improving the quality of our lives. We need to learn to not sweat the small stuff and focus on what’s important. Interestingly enough many of the small things we do daily can lead us to life changing decisions. The skill you have to develop is how to be aware of the small stuff that’s important and not worry about the trivial things.

If you really analyze your life you will see that it is our small behaviors that end up defining us and give others a peek into who we are as individuals. Everything that you ever achieved that you considered worthwhile started off in small steps. Learn to acknowledge and celebrate your daily victories. Over the long run they will yield substantial change and lead to the attainment of your desires.

Small Steps You Can Do Daily:

1. Make Small Talk: Learn to be a socially friendly person who is genuinely interested in learning about others. Having the ability to strike up conversation anywhere and with anyone can literally change your life overnight. You never know when small talk can lead to your next business partner, mentor, or even your next relationship. The more you learn to make small talk the more opportunities you give yourself to be unexpectedly surprised.

2. Appreciate the little things: I think that beauty lies in simplicity, learn to become aware and appreciate the little things. If you really pay attention you will see that the little things are what make all the difference. If your spouse has the habit of always leaving you a little love note in your lunch, make sure to acknowledge it, let her know how much of a difference it makes in your day. Your wife will really appreciate the feedback because it will make her feel valued and will lead you to have a more loving relationship.

3. Take Baby Steps: Whenever you have a new goal or project in your life, take the small steps that will give you direction to the bigger decisions you will need to make to accomplish your goal. It can be as small as making a phone call, sending an email, buying a book, or requesting some information from a website.

4. Celebrate Small Victories: If you take action that puts you one step closer to your dream, celebrate it. Learn to acknowledge that everything you do is molding and shaping your ultimate destination, give your self credit for mini jobs well done.

5. Take Advantage of Small Opportunities: Opportunities present themselves everyday, learn to spot the small opportunities that can be conducive to your growth and can lead to bigger opportunities down the road. If a small local group invites you to speak to 20 of its members, gladly accept even if you feel it will not directly help you. This is a great opportunity to practice your speaking skills and meet some new people.

6. Learn In Small Chunks: Try everyday to learn something small but seek to understand it fully. Working on and perfecting small chunks of information will lead you to a better understanding of the whole. If photography is a new hobby of yours make it a goal to learn a new aspect of photography like using different types of lenses.

7. Keep an Idea Book: This is your companion for your thoughts, let this be the laboratory for all your ideas. Jot anything down, most will start off small and than you can work on developing them into something more tangible.

Just remember that small things really can make a big difference, you just have to make sure you are focusing on the ones that matter. Hope you enjoyed this short post on the power of the small actions we take.

Author's Bio - Ivan Campuzanol

Ivan Campuzano is the owner of the personal growth development blog http://ivancampuzano.com

As an executive development expert, I’ve facilitated dozens of 360 degree leadership assessments, team development, and new leader assimilation processes. Along the way, I have learned that leaders get dinged if they don’t provide air cover to their direct reports. When I first heard the term “air cover,” I was surprised. On the other hand, military language, like sports talk, permeates the business lexicon. I decided to delve deeper and see what it really means.

Macmillan Dictionary defines air cover as “a military operation in which planes fly regularly over an area in order to stop the enemy attacking.” Collins English Dictionary defines it as “the use of aircraft to provide aerial protection for ground forces against enemy air attack.” I interpret this to mean that when ground troops are engaged in a difficult operation, aircraft fly above to make sure that their troops are safe. If the enemy starts to attack, the aircraft fire on the enemy and protect their soldiers.

How does this play out in corporate life? Individuals at all levels are asked to undertake initiatives and activities that are not necessarily popular with other functions or divisions. People like the status quo. Sometimes managers are asked to work cross-organizationally and perform tasks that feel like they are going behind enemy lines. For instance, a company wants to increase efficiencies across the enterprise and begins to implement a technology system and major new processes that will do just that, and change the nature of work in the process. A fairly senior IT leader, Amber, meets with one of the most influential line executives and gets shot down. He doesn’t understand the initiative and doesn’t think it will add value to his function. Amber’s boss has a follow up meeting. Amber’s boss can provide air cover by backing Amber. Or, Amber’s boss can bad mouth her and cave in to the executive. If her boss chooses the latter path, Amber ends up feeling that she is not supported. The program is sabotaged and delayed. The blame game ensues and we have the beginnings of a new organizational tangle.

I have facilitated meetings where management level employees have shared examples of their bosses leaving them hanging out to dry when they ran into resistance from other functional groups. I have also facilitated meetings when employees have praised their bosses for providing air cover. There is a qualitative difference in the level of employee morale and performance when bosses provide air cover.

In an informal research study that I conducted within one major corporation, the results suggest that exceptional leaders support their employees, or as they say, provide air cover. In turn, employees feel that when they are doing something that is the equivalent of going behind enemy lines, they are confident that if the going gets rocky, their boss will support them. Of course this assumes that they are acting professionally and in everyone’s best interest. Employees who feel that they have support and protection have the opportunity to grow and develop. After all, being able to successfully overcome resistance and navigate organizational change is an essential leadership skill.

Are you providing air cover to your employees? Is your leadership team? If your organization could benefit from stronger leadership, contact me at info@rubenconsulting.com for a complimentary consultation.

Author's Bio - Dr. Marcia Ruben

Marcia Ruben is passionately committed to igniting leadership potential and organizational transformation. Her unique blend of deep structural insights, business leadership experience, and depth of 25 years experience in leadership development, sales, and large-systems change, give her the power to help senior leaders solve previously intractable corporate challenges

Her forthcoming book, Tangles: The Hidden Forces that Strangle Great Organizations, describes surprising discoveries about the hidden or ignored issues that can hurt any organization, and eventually cause its demise. See http://www.leadershiptangles.com/