Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Wednesday September 12, 2012

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is the ability to know when to speak up and when to let things slide.

We all have limited energy and face more issues than we can ever resolve. Don’t sweat the small stuff is really a reminder to invest your limited energy where it will do the most good.

Some questions that might help you figure out whether or not to invest yourself in a particular issue are:

• On a scale of 1-10, how important is this issue in the grand scheme of things?
• What would be the worst thing that would happen if this issue is not addressed?
• Is there a simple solution?

For example: I value clean counter tops more than my wife does. I could keep reminding her of the “supreme” value of clean counters. However, so far, it has not worked. I have not found that to be energy well invested.

So let’s think about this… On a scale of 1-10 how important is this? Maybe a 3 compared to other things. What is the worst thing that could happen if the counters are not cleaned off? I will be irritated by crumbs on the counter. Is there a simple solution? When I notice, I wipe off counters.

ACTION   List all the areas which continually create conflict between you. Together, rate them on a scale of 1-10 as to how serious they are. Decide not to sweat the small stuff.