"Great acts are made up of small deeds."

Greatness often comes from the accumulation of small, consistent actions. Think about it—every major achievement or monumental success story you know didn't just happen overnight. They were built day by day, step by step through countless little deeds. This idea really underscores the importance of the small things we do daily.

Consider the story of the Great Wall of China. It’s one of the most extraordinary architectural feats in human history. But when you break it down, each section of that wall was constructed brick by brick. Thousands of laborers, over many years, placed each stone, performing what might seem like insignificant tasks in the grand scheme. Yet, without each of those small efforts, there would be no wall today. It’s a perfect metaphor for how small actions, when consistently applied, lead to something monumental.

So how does this idea of small deeds leading to great acts apply to your life? Let me tell you about my friend Jake. A couple of years back, Jake was out of shape and feeling pretty down on himself. He wanted to run a marathon, but honestly, it seemed impossible at the time. Instead of getting overwhelmed, he started small. He began by running just one mile every morning. That’s it. One mile. After a few weeks, he increased it to two miles, then three, and so on. Fast forward a year, and Jake crossed the finish line of his first marathon. Each of those small, daily runs added up to something truly incredible.

If you're looking to apply this wisdom in your own life, start by identifying a big goal you have. Then break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Want to write a book? Start by writing just one page a day. That’s doable, right? By the end of the year, you'll have a 365-page manuscript. Small daily actions will get you there.

Now, imagine you're working in a company and you want to get a promotion. It’s easy to feel like you need to do something grand to get noticed. But often, it’s the small, consistent efforts that make the biggest difference. Showing up on time, consistently meeting deadlines, helping a colleague with their project—these small deeds build your reputation and demonstrate your reliability and leadership potential.

Think about all the small things you do every day. How can they accumulate into something meaningful? Maybe you want to improve your relationships. Start by making a conscious effort to spend a few minutes each day really listening to your friends or family. Those small moments of genuine connection can transform your relationships over time.

In essence, don’t underestimate the power of small deeds. They’re the building blocks of great acts. Just like the Great Wall or Jake’s marathon, your small, consistent efforts can lead to something truly amazing. So next time you think a task is too small to matter, remember, it's the little things that count.