I’ve always believed it’s your habits that define you. This means that your life is defined by small choices that you make every minute of every day. In the same way, I’ve noticed that while life presents some large moments that can have a major impact on your life, life is more often defined by small, seemingly inconsequential moments.
Throughout my life, I have had many of these moments, and I experienced one recently while enjoying a cup of coffee at a Barnes & Noble Café. While attempting to stay focused on the project I was working on related to my upcoming book, I overheard a phone conversation next to me where a man graciously accepted a new job position over the phone.
While it was not my intent to overhear the man’s conversation, I felt like I needed to say something to him. On my way out the door that morning I had grabbed a copy of my last book, Presidential Leadership, in case I needed it for reference while I worked on the project for the new book. I knew in the moment that I overheard the conversation that this book was meant for this man.
Though approaching the man meant acknowledging I had “eavesdropped” on his conversation, I felt like I needed to speak with him. I walked over and explained that I had heard him and wanted to congratulate him on his new position. He was gracious in his response and seemed genuinely happy that a complete stranger cared enough to say something.
Before leaving him, I gave him the copy of the book. I explained that every position comes with a responsibility to be a leader, and this book shares some of the most valuable leadership traits of the U.S. Presidents.
Why do I share this story? Because I think there are a few lessons here:
- Don’t be afraid to speak up when you feel like you are supposed to. It would have been easy to pretend I didn’t hear the conversation and continue my cup of coffee without ever saying anything to the man.
- You never know a person’s story. This man was gracious in his response and mentioned that he had been out of work for months. This job offer was an amazing blessing and the seemingly insignificant congratulations I offered meant a lot to him.
- It’s worth your time. These small moments may last only a minute or two, but they leave a lasting impression on both the giver and receiver. Never downplay the significance of these small moments and the impact they can leave.
Keep these three lessons in mind as you go through the holiday season. Be mindful of these small moments and never hesitate to act on your intuition!
