Hugh’s Blog

What are you missing out on?

I’ve been speaking about the Small Stuff in life and how we need to focus on the little things that make the greatest difference in our life for over a year now. And I am struck by how many examples of small stuff that impacts my life I am finding.

Last night I was curled up watching a movie with my daughters. It’s our Friday evening ritual and even if the movie is pretty lame (like “Legally Blondes” that we watched) I always try to watch with them. At some point I looked out a large window  in the corner of the room and noticed a corner of our yard visible from where I was sitting. I had never noticed that corner of the yard framed in this way – it was beautiful! The Poplar tree was creating a forest-life backdrop for the Rotodendrum, Peaneas and Japanese maple.

For eight years I have never noticed this setting in this way. Of course I had worked many times in that corner of the yard, raking, cutting the lawn etc. But I had really missed out on the best part, namely the tranquil scene that was waiting for me anytime I wanted it, right here at home.

What are you missing out on? In your rush to do the next deal or cross the next task off your list, what lesson or gift or person is not being noticed?

In a meeting this week with a media company we are working with I noticed that I was becoming quite defensive and even argumentative. I wasn’t feeling like I was being heard and I was noticing that my reaction was getting quite strong.

At that moment of awareness I chose to breath, focus on what I really appreciated about this opportunity and the insights being offered. Almost immediately the conversation changed. No longer was I resisting what I was hearing, instead I was getting lessons that we could use in our business. Instead of arguing I was scribbling down notes to take back to the office.

Like the corner of my yard that I had ignored for eight years, I have moments everyday that I am missing out on. What about for you?