Small Details and Big Results by Jim Stovall

The concept of going the extra mile is among the many transformational thoughts that have become the enduring legacy of the author Napoleon Hill. If you watch a horse race, oftentimes the difference between first place, second place, and the other horses in the field is such a slim margin that they have to utilize a photo finish to determine which horse won, as well as which horses finished out of the money. While the difference may be fractions of an inch, the result can be dramatically different.

The first-place horse in one of the Triple Crown races receives millions of dollars in prize money, endorsements, and future payouts, while other horses in the field—who ran almost as fast over an entire mile—may leave the track with almost nothing to show for their efforts.

Rarely do we ever make a 100% improvement. We, instead, make one hundred 1% improvements. It’s the small details that produce tiny margins that can make all the difference. If you think about why you do business with the companies and individuals you choose to spend your money with, many times you will realize that their products and services may be no different than their competitors, but you chose them because of some small gesture or minor convenience they offer that made all the difference to you.

Shortly after Muhammed Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world, he was asked how many push-ups he did each day. He responded, “I don’t start counting till it hurts.” Ali understood that the real competition begins when most people are ready to quit. My late great friend and mentor, legendary coach John Wooden—during his unparalleled run of winning ten championships in twelve years—taught his teams that while it may appear that basketball games are won or lost on last-second shots, in reality any basket made or missed throughout the entire game could have made all the difference.

In your personal or professional life, think about the small and insignificant things that can make all the difference to those around you.

I consult with several real estate firms, and I find the real estate industry to be a great proving ground for success principles because everyone has access to the same listings at the same price. However, with this totally level playing field, some real estate professionals make millions of dollars per year while others are working for less than minimum wage. The difference is not the property or the price. It is the service, the attitude, and the small details that make all the difference.

As you go through your day today, you can win big victories if you pay attention to small details.

Today’s the day!