The Small Blog

Sat, February 06, 2010 - 10:44:20

Little Abstractions Can Produce Big Concrete Results

Earlier this week, we came across a fascinating New York Times Science article that opened our eyes to another surprising way in which SMALL works.  In our book and here on the Small Blog, we’ve discussed in the past how subtle shifts in body language can betray a person’s inward thoughts.  But, according to scientists at the University of Amsterdam, external factors can have a surprising effect on the way humans form opinions.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, January 29, 2010 - 4:18:25

Don’t Just Sweat the Small Stuff; Celebrate it.

There’s no question that the past few weeks have been challenging ones.  From rising unemployment statistics, to a troubled economy, to natural disasters around the globe, we’ve endured a heap of BIG problems this January, and it might have you feeling the winter doldrums even more than usual.

But, by zeroing in on the small stuff and focusing on the solutions one tiny detail at a time, you can overcome even the most seemingly insurmountable of obstacles.  And that’s not all. As a recent Today Show segment with Dr. Nancy Snyderman reminds us, the key to navigating the tough times isn’t just to sweat the small stuff; it’s to celebrate it.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, January 29, 2010 - 10:16:28

Small Donations Have a Big Impact

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference and here on the SMALL Blog, we’ve told you how small donations can make a world of difference, here in the U.S. and abroad.  But, as the crisis in Haiti continues to unfold and reports of seemingly endless suffering dominate the headlines, we can’t underscore enough how even the tiniest contribution can have outsize effects.

On Friday, we explained how organizations of all sizes are using innovative approaches to overcome this enormous problem one little step at a time, from the American Red Cross’ highly successful text message campaign, to the Davis family’s efforts in Winston-Salem North Carolina, where they are raising funds by selling $1 cups of hot chocolate.  Little by little, people across the nation are doing their part, and as Statesman Journal Executive Editor, Bill Church, writes in his Sunday column, the core ideas of THE POWER OF SMALL are spreading across the country to help affect real change in communities around the world.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, January 22, 2010 - 11:10:53

Overcoming Tragedy with Small Steps

Over the past week, we’ve all watched with deep sadness as the devastation in Haiti following last Tuesday’s massive earthquake has dominated news headlines.  But, amid all of the images of suffering and misfortune, amazing stories of triumph, survival, and humanity have also emerged and in the face of tragedy, we’ve seen how all of us can join together to do good. From global humanitarian organizations to everyday citizens, people across the world have been providing aid to the millions of hungry, injured, and displaced Haitians by taking on the enormous catastrophe one small step at a time.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Thu, January 21, 2010 - 4:13:40

Worth its Salt

Think the little things don’t add up?  Well, for those of you who are trying to get fit and stay healthy in 2010, you might want to take heed.  According to a report in Tuesday’s New York Times, the little things we do now can have drastic effects on our health and wellness for years to come.

Sure, we all know that taking care of the big things like quitting smoking and exercising daily play an important role in the ways in which we age, but contrary to what you might expect, making the tiniest of changes to our daily diets can have an equally profound effect.

Don’t believe us?  Perhaps scientists at Stanford University Medical Center, The University of California San Francisco, and Columbia University Medical Center can change your mind.  In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, they conclude that if everyone consumed just half a teaspoon less of salt per day…

Posted by Linda and Robin
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