“Attention to detail should be a life affecting attitude.”
Dear Leader.
I have always considered myself to be an advocate of detail.
I am not perfect, but I pursue perfection relentlessly and on occasions I achieve excellence! (V. Lombardi)
Having a reputation for keeping an eye on the small things, I constantly teach the virtues of vigilance in defending details, promoting precision, and advocating accuracy.
This lesson, therefore, comes as a bit of a shock to me.
My wife loves her pillows. I am not talking the necessary ones here – the basic bedding – oh no! I am talking about those decorative additions; and it is not just a couple: we are talking three rows of fluffy finery, ornamental shams and augmentation accents.
Now, I have to say, I am not a fan. I can see the values of having such in the lounge, on the sofa, where others may wander and peruse, but in the bedroom? Where others do not venture, and only we see: why?
Anyway, I digress – this is not the point. My wife insists on them, and so they belong. When making the bed, therefore, great effort is spent in laying them out, straightening them up, and measuring them evenly. So be it. If they are to be there, let them be there neat and orderly.
But then, it goes further… All ends must be facing the same way!
I consider myself to be a fairly well-disciplined bed-maker (my dad installed such habits early), but this is a whole new bed-game! Great pains are thus often required to re-lay them so that the open ends are facing inwards on all cases.
And this is where the surprise comes. Being such a fan of the fine point, you would not think that such a delight on detail would grate me; in fact, one would expect that such attention to accuracy would animate me.
It does not.
But it should. And that is the lesson I am reminded of every day.
Note to Self!
Having an attention to detail and taking pride in the small things done right should not be a luxury, nor an isolated or, indeed, segregated action. It should be a constant: a hallmark of a life-affecting attitude.
Taking pride in the small things; ensuring even pillows are laid out to the best of my ability (whether others will see them or not) is a test of integrity and should be pursued with the same diligence as finishing a product, checking an email or completing a spreadsheet.
Living Life, Learning Lessons.
Live | Learn | Lead
