"If You Shoot For The Moon - You Better Not Miss!"

It's been said that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Now I'm assuming that step should be in the right direction. If I'm in New York - and want to go to California - that first step should be heading West. Going East would obviously lead to frustration, in the form of the Atlantic Ocean. How about that "first step" for NASA on a moon launch? Accuracy really counts here. Aim "just a smidge off," say... one degree, and you miss the moon by thousands of miles. One of the silliest sayings I've heard goes like this: "When you shoot for the moon - it's OK if you miss - because at least you'll be among the stars." Are you kidding me? How about: "If you shoot for the moon - you better hit it - or you'll wander aimlessly in space til' you die:-)" Recently, a popular self-help book, by Richard Carlson, told us: "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff -- and it's all small stuff." The premise was "don't get caught up in things that don't matter, if you want to reduce stress and live a happier, more care-free life." The trick, however, is to determine what's important and what's not. Sometimes, you see, "the small stuff" is exceedingly important. My entire generation should be hung by our toes for the legacy of "The 60's." That's when being "laid back" became cool. It became a "catch-all" to defend all sorts of negative behavior. As difficult as it is to accept... and then act upon... the small stuff can be a real big deal. The Army taught me about details. I fought it, but The Green Machine would always win. Success really is in the details. As a new Captain, assuming my duties as a Company Commander at Fort Carson, Colorado in early 1974, I was told: "The commanding officer is ultimately responsible for everything his unit does... or fails to do." Now there's a load to bear. With a Divisional IG (Inspector General) Inspection coming your way, you'd never gather the troops around and say, "OK, men, don't sweat the small stuff. Let's be laid back and not get caught up in the details... Don't worry - be happy." This - in the face of some motor sergeant about to probe your jeep's tailpipe with a white glove, looking for exhaust soot? Don't think so. Want to know why I'm claiming to be some sort of expert on this topic? Because I've failed so many times, that's why. Submit yourself to a little scrutiny here. Have you enjoyed massive success in your relationships and career? If you have, let's meet, so you can teach me. If you've struggled, like most of us, read on. A new book, by John Trent, really hits home. Wish I'd seen it a long time ago. But you know that "the teacher appears, when the student is ready." Trent is on target with "The 2-Degree Difference." ( see: http://www.amazon.com/2-degree-Difference-Little-Things-Everything/dp/0805430644 ) Have you watched TV lately? There are several prime time shows that deal with obesity. Not in a clinical way, but with morbid, intrusive curiosity. The "subjects" are filmed every which-way and it seems like fun, when the fork lift comes to lift "The 1,000 Pound Man" onto the flat-bed truck for his trip to the gastric by-pass clinic. This phenomenon exists because we know how hard it is to lose weight. When we see these folks, we figure we're doing ok. Big Problems require Big Solutions - right? We need to make 180 degree changes in our lives - right? The problem is that most of us aren't wired that way. The author of "The 2-Degree Difference" has a lot to say about this. ( Also see: http://www.strongfamilies.com/ ) He tells of the obese fellow he met who followed the "2 degrees at a time method"... (like the old question, "How do you eat an elephant?" Ans: "One bite at a time.") The heavy man merely changed from eating two deserts a night - to one. Then only every other night. Then only weekends. Then he started walking a bit. Then more. You see where this is heading? At the end of one year, after making small, incremental changes, the guy had dropped 100 pounds... and to celebrate, he ran The Marine Corps Marathon, in Washington, DC. http://www.marinemarathon.com/Marine_Corps_Marathon.htm Back when New York City was "The Murder Capitol of the World," police started an initiative for "2-degree like" changes. Small things, like fixing broken windows, stopping the "squeegee guys" at red lights, and prosecuting subway "turnstile jumpers" had a huge effect on the communities, as a whole. Just like in banking and investing, it's a "compounding effect," where "small stuff" can lead to "big stuff." It works at home, too, guys (and gals). Try just opening the car door for her. It's so much better than, "Come on - get in - is your arm broken?" Or do the dishes. Or take her to a fancy restaurant... and hold her hand. Just those little changes can lead to better things. 180 Degree changes? No... they're often just too hard. 2 Degree changes? Easy...