The Little Things

How’s it going, Ladies and Gentlemen?

Welcome back to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for learning lessons from the greats. Today, I’m going to be talking about “doing the little things” − you’d be surprised at how big they really are.

So, as you may be aware, today is St. David’s Day, named after the patron saint of Wales. But even if you aren’t Welsh, there’s always a thing or two you can pick up from a saint (I don’t know about you − I think anyone who earns that title’s been very successful!)

We know a couple things about St. David: one, he existed; two, he lived about 1500 years ago; and three, he spread Christianity amongst the pagan tribes in old Wales. He gave St. David’s, the place of his shrine, such a reputation that four visits there were considered equal to two trips to Rome or one to Jerusalem. That’s what I call creating a brand!

St. David advocated a hard life for his monks; he believed in drinking just water and would only allow his monks the benefit of milk on top of this. He was against eating meat and believed that monks should pull their own plough in place of animals.

But he will always be remembered most for a quote from his last sermon "do the little things, the small things you've seen me doing".

Powerful, huh?

And as timely in modern business and our current world as it was in the ancient one. When you embark on your journey in life, whether it be in an artistic stream, leading a company or rising through the corporate steel mill, not everything you do will be noted. Sometimes, your greatest achievements will be looked over. And it can be easy to be disheartened and say “screw this! I don’t have to work this hard if it’s never going to amount to anything!”

You stop doing “the little things” and just expect that you’ll rise to the occasion when it comes along. But, as Tony Robbins says, “people are rewarded in public for what they practice for years in private”. You need to work hard at home, in your office, wherever, even if no one’s watching. Your little rituals − brushing your teeth, answering emails in a timely fashion, being nice and friendly to coworkers and friends − all come back to aid you when you do well. And destroy you when you don’t.

Would you give your money to someone you didn’t trust? Didn’t think so. To succeed in business and life, people need to believe in you as a reliable and responsible person. You don’t get that kind of reputation (or ability to live up to one) over night. You need to consistently practice being at your best to achieve that, even if your boss isn’t over your shoulder or you’re up for review the day after next. Those who keep doing “the little things” are the ones who achieve the big things in the end. Why? Because they earned it, one small action at a time.

Have a great St. David’s Day, remember the old fella’s advice and talk to you soon!

Alex H.

 

Thanks to the BBC for the information on St. David. You can check out more on the Welsh legend here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/david_1.shtml

If you’re interested in this post, you might also like these other Graceland Ontario updates:

•  35 Years Without Elvis (And Why He's So Popular Today)
• Graceland, Ontario: The Witches's Marketing Secret
• Graceland, Ontario: A Lesson from Steve Jobs
• Graceland, Ontario: You're Good!
• Graceland, Ontario: What's Your Lucky Number?

Traits of the Superhero

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!

Thanks for popping by Graceland Ontario this week. You’ve dropped in on time to join our superhero series where we’re showing the benefits Elvis drew from being inspired by superheroes and how that relates to you. I think you’ll be surprised how useful these cartoon fellas can be for your success in life. Take a look and I’ll let you decide for yourself.

There are so many good things associated with superheroes, this week we’ll only talk about a couple of their traits and over the next two weeks we’ll do the rest. Incorporating, or emphasizing, these habits into you’re routine will move you one step closer to Elvis and the superhero and one step away from the villain the superhero vanquishes.

Have High Standards

Superheroes don’t say enough is enough. They do all they possibly can. And when they’re in pain or tired, they say to themselves, “just a bit farther, I know I can do this.” They have a standard for what they think is possible and, even when in pain, they won’t allow themselves to dip below this standard for anything. We can listen to Elvis’s released sessions and many of us fans will say “even the ones that didn’t make the final track were good”. But Elvis had standards. Even if it was “good enough” to sell, he made sure it reached his high standards before it went on record. By having high standards, you create integrity in your work that others learn to trust. We know we’re getting something special when we listen to an Elvis track. Others will know they’re getting something special when you maintain your own high standards. And that’s not bad for creating a great reputation and lasting success in your life.

Fight for the Right

You don’t see Superheroes fighting for selfish, petty issues. You see them fighting for others, for family, for children. For those who wouldn’t stand a chance without them. They give a chance to those who wouldn’t have one. And they aren’t corrupted by what anyone else says. They know its right, and they fight for it with all they’ve got. Elvis wasn’t perfect, but he fought for the causes he believed in, whether that be charity, or joining the army or spreading the word of Christianity through gospel music. Plenty of people do and plenty fail, but people admire and respect those who do or fail for something they believe is right. That can’t hurt your success. The added benefit is when you believe you’re doing something right you stand a better chance of following through with what you do. After all, if it’s “right” to do it, then it has to be “wrong” not to. In a way, you’re reinforcing your chances of winning.

Be a Role Model

Superheroes are role models. You don’t see them doing things you’d be embarrassed about, like smoking, or swearing, or slouching. They always look their best, no matter the situation (or confrontation) and all the kids want to be like them as a result. They just look that amazing. I mean, take a look at Elvis from about any time in his career; he looked and acted like the kind of guy that kids and adults alike want to be − clean, well-dressed, polite, well-spoken. And when people want to be like you, they’ll want to be with you to find out how you do it. And they’ll want to support you to ‘keep up the good work’. Try to imagine what that would do for your career, I dare you…

Elvis’s Lessons:

• Elvis, like his superhero idols, had some great traits that helped him become (and remain) successful. By having high standards, fighting for the right and being a role model, you’ll improve yourself a bit more AND bring out the superhero waiting to reawaken from your childhood. Plus, you’ll increase your chances of success all the while. Not a bad lesson to get from a cheap comic book, I tell ya…

P.S. If you’re interested in hearing Elvis singing a great version of “La Paloma” (No More), here’s a link to Youtube. I only recently started on this song but now I keep singing it in the shower…

P.P.S. Remember to leave a comment!

I want to make clear that I am not selling anything. This is my way of paying back to the world and I sincerely hope the information I provide can advise you to a better, more successful life. Have a great and successful week and I’ll see you next Friday!