The Small Blog

Sun, April 04, 2010 - 1:42:19

Little Comments Can Have a Big Impact

Earlier this week, we came across a Letter to the Editor of the New York Times that really caught our attention and reminded us once again of the amazing power even our smallest actions—and words—can have.  In her letter, Denise McQuighan of Gaithersburg, Md., writes:

I have always believed that the suggestion that girls were not as good as boys in math was detrimental to the self-confidence of many of my female friends in high school, and a factor for some of them who chose college majors with limited math requirements.

I decided to inoculate my daughter against this cultural stereotype by mentioning casually every now and then that I thought girls were naturally better at math. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in applied math at Brown.

And it made us think of an experience we had while working with the Girl Scouts a few years ago, when they came to us for a campaign that would promote math and science to girls in their “tweens…”

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, April 02, 2010 - 1:34:08

The Magic of Small

There’s no question that we live in a time where big problems are the norm, with wars overseas, natural disasters, and economic woes on the minds of many.  Amid all of these overwhelming issues, it can seem like the little things we do simply don’t matter.  But, in truth, it’s our smallest gestures that can have the greatest impact on the lives of others.  And that’s why an NBC Nightly News “Making a Difference” story airing earlier this week really touched our hearts.  In the midst of a waging war, one American soldier discovered that he had the power to cross cultural divides, heal the injured, and raise broken spirits.  And he got his power from one surprising source: magic.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, March 26, 2010 - 10:15:44

Schmooze or Lose

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we discuss how the simple, often discounted act of making small talk can have a big impact on your life, both professionally and personally. So, we were pleasantly surprised when we discovered John Baldoni’s post on the art of making small talk with your boss on The Conversation this week.

In his post, Baldoni discusses how doing your homework and learning to read people’s non-verbal signals can help you prepare for both expected (organized, work-related events) and unexpected (running into your boss at the grocery store) encounters with people of authority.  Then, when you’re faced with the opportunity to schmooze with the big boss, you can seize it.

But, whether you’re trying to make a great impression on a corporate higher-up or want to enhance your relationships with colleagues, clients, and vendors at work, perfecting the art of small talk can give you a powerful professional advantage.  And in our age of email and IM, it’s a skill that can really set you apart from the pack.  So, here are a few of our own small tips to help you get a conversation flowing:

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Wed, March 24, 2010 - 11:34:50

New Weight Loss Research is Daunting for Women, but SMALL Can Help

If new research findings published in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association have you feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone.  The study conducted by Harvard University’s Brigham and Women Hospital concludes that women, particularly those in their forties and beyond, must exercise for at least one hour a day in order to simply maintain their weight, which seems like a tall order for most women navigating the challenges of everyday life.  With the demands of family, career, finances, and friends, it can be difficult to find time to squeeze in that daily workout, not to mention the energy needed to complete it.  But, fortunately, we’ve discovered a method that can help you meet this tough fitness goal while staying motivated in the process. 

All you have to do is get SMALL and get going.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Sun, March 21, 2010 - 2:27:21

Bloggers Rediscover the Power of “Snail” Mail

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter in the mail from a friend?

No matter how long ago, chances are, you can still easily remember this simple event not only for the wonderful way it made you feel, but for its sheer rarity.  In our wired world, more often than not, today’s mailboxes are filled with catalogues, bills, and little else—but in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we explain how this very fact presents a little opportunity to make a big positive impression. 

Photo courtesy of The Package Project.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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