THE LAW OF SMALL DIFFERENCES

Some very wise people have suggested that knowing our
mission in life is the BIG question every adult must
answer. Some very smart people have told me I should define
my life mission, and then faithfully pursue that mission
through the years. And, I would love to do that!
If I knew where I wanted to be in 30 years and could spend
my life pursuing one clear vision, I would do it!  It
sounds so simple and powerful to know where I'm going and
then "stay the course" for a lifetime!
Unfortunately, I never seem to know what I want for dinner,
let alone where I'm going ten years from now! My interests
and circumstances change. Hopefully I mature, learn new
things and take on new challenges that change my sense of
mission--and pretty much everything else in my life!
The only thing that doesn't change is that I have some
clear values and desires for a world of healthy, productive
and prosperous people. And very importantly, I have several
specific, measurable goals that range from a few months to
perhaps five years. But a single life-time mission? Not so
much.
I do, however, understand the value of putting one foot in
front of the other, and moving forward one day at a time. I
know about trying to have fun, do something useful, and
using each day well. Since I don't have a 30-year plan, I
use the wisdom of Alcoholics Anonymous and try to live one
day at a time!
I am convinced that for most of us, the key is making each
day just a bit better, a bit more productive, just slightly
more fun than yesterday. If we can do that, my hope and
prayer is that the 30-year plan will take care of itself.
In that sense, I am a huge believer in the "Law of Small
Differences." This is a "law" I observed almost 30 years
ago, and it basically says that if I can do things slightly
better, faster, cheaper or with a bit more "style," in the
long run, things will work out just fine.
The Law of Small Differences says that saving just a little
each month for 30 years is a small thing that can be worth
millions in the long run. The Law says that successful
people get to work just a few minutes earlier, or do things
just slightly faster or are just slightly more effective
than failures. It says that, even if I don't know the BIG
secrets to life, I can do the things I DO know and trust
that they will make a difference.
What I can do is make my bed each morning, kiss my wife,
eat a healthy breakfast, return my phone calls, pay my
bills on time, read a little each day, and exercise a bit.
I can encourage folks, smile a lot, listen well, be kind,
and try to make the world a better place. I can pitch-in,
lend a hand. And put my dirty socks in the hamper. The Law
of Small Differences says that even if these things don't
transform my life over-night, they are likely to make life
better over time. 
What I observe is that the differences between highly
successful people and "failures" tend to be very, very
small.  And they tend to be simple things anyone can do.
Highly successful people pay just a bit more attention,
have slightly more self-discipline, live slightly more
organized lives. They tell the truth, practice a bit of
humility, listen and learn from others, and do their best
every day. They keep their appointments, practice
forgiveness and generosity, and they laugh a lot. 
It would be great if I had a life-time sense of mission,
but in the meantime, I do what I can, and let the Law of
Small Differences work in my favor. The key to success is
not being a genius or winning the lottery or inventing the
next big thing. The Law of Small Differences says success
is the result of doing the right things, in the right way,
at the right time, every day.
Today, do one thing that makes a small, positive
difference, and if you like the results, do it again and
again and again. Over time, the Law of Small Differences
will make a huge difference in your results!