10 lessons from Andy Andrews’ The Little Things: Why you really SHOULD sweat the small stuff

Ever picked up a book and as you read through the preface and introduction, you start thinking twice about picking it? Well, this was me when I started reading The Little Things: why you really should sweat the small stuff. BUT, something pushed me to keep paging through and I’m glad I did.

With just over 150 pages, including the introduction and the author’s note, and super short chapters, the book is a quick read.

*** Disclaimer: This is not a book review but a reflection of the lessons that I learnt after reading it.

So let’s get straight into it:

1. Just because you’ve chose not to see something, acknowledge its existence or notice it, doesn’t mean that it does not exist.

2. We need to notice and affirm the “little” things. These “little” things create a solid foundation (serve as a foundation) of the bigger things to come. The things we are in pursuit of. Allow me to quote him verbatim here: “You were not made to bury yourself in minutia of constantly decreasing size. Your life has been created for growth and inclusion. It is intended that you use little things as a springboard of a pathway to the big picture (i.e. masterpiece) you are making of your life. The little things are simply the means we employ to achieve the end result we desire.”

3. Asking ‘why’ habitually is important for our growth; personally, in business and otherwise. We should not only ask questions when things are going wrong, we should ask questions, more so, when they are going right. When we do this, we are able to amplify on what’s working so we can pivot our desired growth. We must always be curious and ask ‘why’.

4. A little goes a long way. I like the Afrikaans iteration of this which says: “bietjie bietjie maak meer”.

5. Quitting should not be normalised. We need to push through challenges so as to build our resilience for things to come. We should never be comfortable with quitting. This is something we need to also teach our kids in their formative years.

6. Our interpretation of facts may occasionally be incorrect. We should not always believe in what we are thinking as this sometimes limits us.

7. Despite what you think you know, always be open to a change in perspective.

8. Don’t be an average achiever, dare to be extraordinary. Don’t compare yourself to anyone but yourself. YOUR own potential. As an extraordinary achiever, you choose your own potential. You alone can define it. Nobody can define it for you.

9. If we are looking for things to change and be different, then we need to do things differently.

10. If you want to live your best life that which God has prepared for you, set goals that align to that, instead of goals aimed at satisfying expectations from others.

There’s a lot more nuggets and lessons from the book, but these are the ones that captured me. If you are compelled to dive in further, I’d encourage you to get the book from local bookstores. I got mine from CUM Boeke.

You are welcome to share in the comments, which lesson resonated with you the most.