Fri, January 27, 2012 - 6:00:00

Small Can Stall A Campaign

In this year’s hotly contested race for the Republican presidential nomination, little details are already proving to make a big difference. In fact, something as seemingly insignificant as a candidate’s facial tic can speak volumes to potential voters and, in the worst cases, even stall a campaign.

Recently, when Newt Gingrich asked opponent and Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney to disclose his tax return, Romney replied with a hint of a smile: “maybe.” And as we’ve seen over the course of the past week, that one little word had quite the fallout.

But, little words and facial expressions aren’t the only SMALL things that can hurt a candidate’s changes. As Slate reports this week, certain facial features can actually hinder a presidential hopeful’s chances. According to a Princeton University study, people are more likely to vote for candidates who appear competent and there are distinct facial characteristics humans naturally—and unconsciously—look for. Seemingly trivial details, like the distance between the eyes or the position of ones eyebrows, actually influence the opinions of others.  And as lead researcher, Alexander Todorov, found, it only takes 34 milliseconds for someone to form one.

Even in the quest for the world most powerful office, SMALL wields its might. And that’s just one more reason why why no one can afford not to sweat the small stuff.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, January 25, 2012 - 12:30:18

Meet Smarter

In a recent piece for the Harvard Business Review Blog, Paul Hammerness and Margaret Moore, authors of Organize Your Life, Organize Your Mind, discuss why focusing on one task (a practice we call “minitasking”) rather than multi-tasking, is the most effective way to get things done. As two passionate practitioners of mini-tasking, we’re in full agreement with their philosophy—and, as you know, it’s easy to make minitasking a part of your everyday routine.

But, in a modern workplace filled with distractions—from binging BlackBerries to dinging Twitter alerts and the occasional phone call or two—getting your fellow coworkers together to really focus on one issue can be a challenge. In fact, it’s one of the biggest problems we see in meetings today.

So, what do you do? Hammerness and Moore wisely suggest that you hold gadget-free meetings to stave off temptation. But, we have another idea to keep your meetings productive, on task, and low on distraction: shrink the clock and have the second meeting first. It might sound crazy, but it works.

What do we mean? Instead of scheduling a meeting to plan what your next meeting will be about, anticipate the second meeting ahead of time and have that one instead. It helps create a sense of urgency, which not only keeps everyone alert and on their toes; it actually fosters creativity and boosts problem solving skills.

If you can, try to have no more than three items on your agenda. While this isn’t always possible, it helps eliminate fatigue and boredom and increases everyone’s interest and participation. That’s important—because in many meetings, most people are just sitting there waiting for a chance to escape the conference room. And that’s not a productive use of anyone’s time.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, January 17, 2012 - 12:32:34

Little Ring, Big Interruption

On Tuesday night, one might have thought the New York Philharmonic had added a new percussion instrument to the final movement of Mahler’s ninth symphony. The real culprit, however, was a concertgoer’s iPhone alarm.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, to the audience’s shock, the owner of the phone did not immediately silence the alarm, but instead let it sound for several minutes…until the conductor stopped the orchestra.

After asking the audience member to turn off his phone, the embarrassed man finally fessed up and switched off the alarm. Then, the conductor faced his orchestra and began the movement once more—this time, without interruption.

It’s just another example of how much power our tiniest actions (or inactions) possess. And although it won’t usually make headlines, one unexpected little ring can have a big impact.

Have you ever been in an important meeting that was interrupted by a text message alert? If so, then you already know just how disruptive they can be. That one little noise has the power to interrupt the flow of ideas or bring them to a grinding halt.

So, whether you’re in the conference room or the concert hall, take a minute to remember the power one little cell phone can have and place it on silent mode. Otherwise, you just might end up in a situation you’d much rather forget.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, January 10, 2012 - 10:09:11

Are Letters the Next Big Business?

There is no question that we’re living in an increasingly paperless world. As we all become more digital, and rely more and more on computers, tablets, and smartphones to relay and acquire information, many question if print is still a viable business. Well, one new company, believes so and their product just might surprise you. No, it’s not a magazine or newspaper. It’s a letter, and as AdAge reports, successful publisher Stephen Elliott of The Rumpus believes it could be a profitable business venture.

Elliott’s new company, Letters in the Mail, is exactly what it sounds like: a self-described “almost-weekly” letter delivered to your mailbox, written by an author of note. So far, comedic writers like Margaret Cho and Jonathan Ames have signed on to take part in the $5-a-month publication. In the week since its launch, the service has already garnered 1000 subscribers, and while it’s uncertain whether or not Letters in the Mail will ultimately be a hit, it serves as a reminder that letters still have value. (Whether or not you’re willing to pay $5-month to receive them.)

If you’ve read our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, then you know that we’re big fans of letters, particularly when they’re handwritten. And while we can’t speak to their viability as a profitable publishing model, we can tell you that they are a beneficial addition to your professional communications mix. Whether it’s a thank-you note or just a friendly “hello,” sending an occasional bit of correspondence via the increasingly rare “snail mail” can amplify your message and help you make a positive impression. All it takes is a few minutes, plus a pen, some paper, and a postage stamp. So, why not try getting the “write stuff” for yourself? It’s just one more way you can put the power of SMALL to work for you… and that’s something to which we definitely subscribe.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, December 16, 2011 - 4:19:44

The Wall Street Journal Reports: Small Foundations Make a Big Difference

Yesterday, one of our Twitter followers forwarded us a great article from The Wall Street Journal. As you might imagine, with a title like “The Power of Small,” the piece immediately caught our attention. And as we read their report on how small charitable organizations can affect outsize change, we found ourselves nodding our heads in agreement.

The Wall Street Journal’s Ruthie Ackerman writes that small foundations “may not have the financial clout of some larger peers, but many have shown they can pack a big punch by making quick decisions on grants, collaborating with other groups and developing expertise in certain areas that gives them credibility with the politicians and community leaders who can shine a spotlight on important causes.” Moreover, she explains, they
“tend to be nimble because of their size, meaning they can respond quickly when a need arises.”

But, this isn’t only true of philanthropic organizations. In business, SMALL can put you at a real advantage—and we know from experience. Today, our advertising agency is hailed as one of the fastest growing in the nation—and we owe much of our success to a company culture we call “the spirit of the brownstone.”

When we started the Kaplan Thaler Group more than a decade ago, there were six of us working in very close quarters in a tiny Manhattan brownstone apartment. But, instead of seeing our little staff as a weakness against our competitors, we turned it into a strength. Without the bureaucracy that comes standard with many large organizations, we were freed from the process trap and instead able to move quickly, think creatively, and win big business.

Today, we’ve grown to a company with more than 200 employees, but that SMALL mentality still guides the way we work every day. And you can make it work for your organization, too. So, if you’re a professional who sometimes feels frustrated by a bureaucratic organization, why not try these tips:

• Ask yourself what are the fewest number of people needed to make a decision? 
• Ask who needs to be part of the decision process and who simply needs to be informed? 
• Remember the old adage: It is a lot better to act and then ask for forgiveness than to wait until someone gives you permission.

Whether you’re part of a charitable group looking to make a difference in the world, or you’re starting a new business and just looking to make a profit, the POWER OF SMALL can help you get going and keep growing.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, December 06, 2011 - 12:33:42

Think Small. Get Smart.

When giving advice about business and innovation, one of the best things we tell people they can do is to “Think like a four-year old.” By being fearlessly inquisitive, asking questions, and looking with new eyes at even the tiniest detail, you open yourself up to endless opportunities for advancement, inspiration, and growth, both professionally and personally. In business and in life, we believe that no one should ever stop learning. And in fact, as a recent Wall Street Journal piece reveals, taking a small amount of time each day to learn just one new thing—anything—can actually raise your I.Q.

As The Wall Street Journal’s Sue Shellenbarger writes, learning new tasks stimulates the brain more than any other activity. Research from the University of Michigan and the University of Hamburg suggests that dedicating just 18-25 minutes a day to acquiring a new skill—no matter what it is—can lead to an increase in I.Q.

Although I.Q. certainly isn’t the only measure of intelligence that matters—Emotional Intelligence Quotient, or E.Q., for short, along with creative intelligence are equally valuable—these findings show once again how SMALL really does have the power to transform your life. So, whether it’s increasing your vocabulary by a few new words a day, practicing the piano, or even learning how to juggle, get SMALL, get curious, and get going!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, November 15, 2011 - 11:03:27

A Solution Worth More than Just “Peanuts”

From the financial turmoil in Europe, to the natural disasters across Southeast Asia, sometimes it seems that there are simply no solutions big enough to tackle the monumental challenges many in the world are facing every day. But, often, the way to solving big problems, whether on a personal scale or even a global one, is to start small. And this touching story, which recently aired on ABC World News Tonight, is a poignant illustration of how one small thing can make a truly life saving difference.

As ABC News reports, the tragic famine in Somalia, one that has come to be known as the Children’s Famine, has wreaked havoc on the lives of millions of families who call that part of the world home. But, one simple solution is proving to be a lifesaver for many of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens, kids. Costing less than an inexpensive cup of coffee (around 50 cents each) and composed of milk powder and peanuts, this simple paste, administered just once a day, has the power to bring starving children back to health. It’s not a drastic measure or a radical change, but it is a potent solution nonetheless.

You’ve probably heard the term “peanuts” used to describe something insignificant, but in this instance, they’re anything but.  Although we frequently discount their worth, even the smallest and simplest things can make an enormous difference in the lives of others.  So, never underestimate the power of small. When you recognize its unique capacity, you will see that SMALL truly can change the world.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, October 27, 2011 - 1:50:33

Two Extra Eyes Can Make All the Difference

In a recent New Yorker article, Dr. Atul Gawande chronicles his recent experience working with a coach. Only, contrary to what you might expect, it wasn’t an attempt to increase his physical performance on the tennis court or the golf course. Instead, a mentor in the medical field was coaching him in order to sharpen his skills in the operating room.

As Gawande explains, many times, people with jobs that require precise yet highly repetitive actions, like surgeons, often experience a slow deterioration of their skills over time. The change is so subtle that it usually goes undetected. And that’s when having an outside eye can make all the difference.

After his coach observed him one day in the operating room, Gawande explained:

He saw only small things, he said, but if I were trying to keep a problem from happening even once in my next hundred operations, it’s the small things I had to worry about [...]Osteen also asked me to pay more attention to my elbows. At various points during the operation, he observed, my right elbow rose to the level of my shoulder, on occasion higher. “You cannot achieve precision with your elbow in the air,” he said. A surgeon’s elbows should be loose and down by his sides.” He had a whole list of observations like this. His notepad was dense with small print. 

Although Gawande admits that coaching is not for every surgeon, for him, he found it extremely effective—and in his profession, the benefit he gets from it can make a truly life-saving difference to patients. 

The key take-away? It’s that there’s no such thing as small stuff—and that sometimes an outside eye is exactly what you need to help you get all the details exactly right. So, why not partner with a friend or coworker and start experiencing the benefits of someone else’s eagle eye today? With their fresh take, you can spot—and prevent—a little mistake that could have spelled disaster.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, October 07, 2011 - 11:53:55

Stuck in Traffic? There’s an App for That.

By now, most of us have heard about crowdsourcing—a powerful way of collecting information by relying on the input of others from around the world. It’s a technique brands have used to great success in order to create user engagement and generate traffic-stopping new ideas. But, what if we told you that crowdsourcing could also be used to keep you from getting stopped in traffic—and save you as much as 20% in fuel costs at the same time?

That’s the premise behind a new mobile app profiled in a recent Popular Science article. Information automatically submitted from users’ smartphones is being used to create a virtual network of traffic signal timing. As Popular Science reports:

The app can then use GPS location to tell where a driver is, how quickly he or she is approaching a stoplight, and where that stoplight is in its green-yellow-red cycle.

From there, it does some simple math, telling the driver what speed to run to ensure he or she doesn’t have to make a complete stop at the upcoming light. That generally involves slowing down, but it doesn’t cost the driver any time overall, and the savings are in the gas tank.

It sounds too good to be true: a simple download to your cell phone that can literally save you hundreds. But, with the backing of researchers at M.I.T. affirming its value, it’s proof positive, once again, of the amazing power even our smallest actions possess. Imagine you spent $50 per week on gas. That’s $200 a month, or $2400 over the course of one year. That’s right, with the help of one little app, you could end up with an extra $480 in your pocket… not exactly “small change.”

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, September 30, 2011 - 1:07:28

The Secret of Negotiation: Location, Location, Location!

For many professionals, the art of negotiation can be one of the toughest skills to master in the business world—not to mention one of the most anxiety inducing. But, it can also be one of the most rewarding, whether you’re working on behalf of your company, your clients, or yourself.
Naturally, like any other skill, negotiation takes practice. But, one important factor in helping get you what you want might surprise you. It’s not just what you say or how you say it that matters. Where you say it can be just as important.

In an excellent piece on the Harvard Business Review blog, Washington University in St. Louis professors Markus Baer and Graham Brown explain the rather startling findings of their own scholarly research. Baer and Brown write:

Our research has uncovered that residents of an office space — even after only 20 minutes of residing in a space — were able to claim as much as 160% more value in a distributive (“You win, I lose”) negotiation than the visiting party. And it is not only that residents do better when negotiating on their turf. Our study also revealed that entering someone else’s office space causes us to do worse.

One reason why location matters is that where we negotiate has a profound impact on how confident we are during the negotiation — and so much in a negotiation depends on our confidence.

It may seem inconsequential, but giving careful consideration to the location of your negotiation can provide you with a huge advantage, or at the very least put you on a level playing field. Holding an informal meeting with a superior at your workspace can actually make you more successful in your negotiation efforts, no matter what they might be.

So, when you’re laying out your strategy for your next big negotiation, don’t forget to consider the setting. It might seem like a small thing, but it’s one that can make an enormous difference!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, September 21, 2011 - 9:47:05

The Weight Loss Secret that’s Right in Your Hands

Few feelings are worse than when you’re snacking on (what you think are) a few potato chips and suddenly… THWACK! Your hand hits the bottom of the now-empty bag. It’s no secret that we all fall victim to mindless snacking from time to time, but what if we told you that by making one tiny change, you could actually prevent yourself from doing it in the first place?

According to a study published in the most recent issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, eating with your non-dominant hand, for example using your left hand if you’re right handed, can help you control your calories by consuming less. 

Why? Scientists don’t have a clear answer, but it if you’re not ambidextrous you already know that doing things with your non-dominant hand takes significantly more effort. And, that in turn makes you more conscious of whatever activity you’re doing. So, when you switch hands, eating becomes less mindless and more mindful.
It’s just another powerful example of how little things really can make all the difference—and how a better, healthier life is already right in your hands.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, September 09, 2011 - 7:13:53

How Soft Serve Can Help You Make Hard Decisions

A few weeks ago, when the summer sun was still shining brightly, our employees at the Kaplan Thaler Group enjoyed what’s become one of our favorite annual traditions: we rented an ice cream truck, parked it outside the office, and treated everyone to all of the Mister Softee they could serve up.

As you might expect, over the years, we’ve found that this fun little way of “sweetening the deal” raises morale at work, making everyone feel more appreciated and valued. And that, in turn, makes people more productive and effective in their jobs.

But, recently, we came across a New York Times article that shed new light on why a little ice cream (or other sweet treat) might help when it comes to workplace productivity. It turns out that a little jolt of sugar can actually kickstart your brain and help you make smarter decisions.

As the New York Times reports, researchers have found that a small amount of glucose—the simple sugar contained in many foods—increases people’s willpower, improves self-control, and enhances the quality of decision making.

For example, after drinking a glass of sugar-sweetened lemonade, participants in a Florida State University study “resisted irrational bias when making choices, and when asked to make financial decisions, they were more likely to choose the better long-term strategy instead of going for a quick payoff.”
So, the next time you’re faced with a hard decision, treat yourself. You just might find that rewarding yourself few pieces of chocolate will help you make the choice with the greatest ROI.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, September 02, 2011 - 10:21:20

Trust Your Animal Instincts

This past week, East Coast residents from New York to North Carolina felt the unnerving rumble of Virginia’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake. And while we humans certainly didn’t expect it, the Today Show reports that members of the animal kingdom could sense its approach and began protecting themselves as early as 15 minutes before the earth first started to move.

How did they know? Animal behavior experts and zoologists chalk it up to something akin to a sixth sense—one that humans lack. Because they are deeply in tune with nature, animals, unlike people, can sense tiny changes in their environments and can react accordingly.

While humans will probably never be able to heighten their senses enough to be able to intuit the approach of a coming geologic disturbance, we think this recent event serves as a powerful reminder of how vital it is to pay attention to the little things all around you and trust your “animal instincts.” It’s often when we ignore our better judgment—our intuition—that we get ourselves into trouble.

So, slow down, tap into your primal intelligence, and tune into the microscopic signals that are all around you. Then, listen to what that little voice inside of you is saying. After all, as we like to say, your gut has an IQ 100,000. It would be foolish to ignore it.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, August 25, 2011 - 10:32:20

The Wisdom of Going with Your Gut

Let’s face it: these are some turbulent times we’re living in today. With all of the uncertainty in the world, making decisions can be a trying task. But, as professionals, we’re all faced with decision-making every day. Of course, you consider the facts, weigh the options, and give it careful thought. But in the end, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply to go with your gut, especially in uncertain times. And that’s why it’s essential to listen to—not discount—that little voice inside you.

A study out of Nanyang Business School in Singapore found that intuition-based decision-making enhances organizational performance in an unstable environment. And one of the theories for this may surprise you: intuitive decision-making isn’t so illogical after all. As the researchers note:

Although people think that ‘gut-feeling’ is not a rational decision making method, many people fail to realize that ‘gut-feeling’ is actually a subconscious derivative of the accumulation of years of management experience.

In other words, an intuitive decision isn’t the same as an emotional one. It’s deeply informed by your knowledge and experiences, albeit subconsciously, and that can help you to make accurate snap-decisions when the stakes are high.

It’s what Guy Claxton, author of Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind calls “unconscious intelligence,” which often comes out in the form of an “A-ha!” moment. The more you train your brain not to filter out this valuable information, the more you open yourself up to flashes of brilliance that can enhance your decision-making and overall productivity.

So, the next time you have to make a difficult choice, go with your gut and trust the SMALL wisdom that’s inside of you. Electing to do so just might be the smartest decision you’ll ever make.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, August 17, 2011 - 9:57:23

The Power of Boredom

Smartphones, iPads, and a seemingly endless stream of apps flooding the market have accomplished what was once seemingly implausible. They’ve essentially eradicated boredom. In our wired world, it’s possible to stay not only productive, but also entertained, at any moment in time. And, as Scott Adams recently argued in the Wall Street Journal, that’s not necessarily a such good thing. In fact, especially for people in creative professions, boredom can be quite beneficial.

As the founders of the agency who has brought you such creative breakthroughs as the Aflac Duck and Herbal Essence’s daring “Yes! Yes! Yes!” campaign, we have to admit, we think Adams has a point. No matter how much we love our gadgets, sometimes it pays to take a step back, unplug, and get bored. That’s right: sometimes being utterly unproductive can actually improve your work. Why? Because, as Peter Toohey explains in his book, Boredom: A Lively History, the state of boredom actually triggers your mind to start searching for ways to occupy itself, particularly by seeking out new ways of doing things.

And that’s why just a few moments of boredom each day can have a profound effect on your workday. Whether you’re concepting a new ad campaign or looking for a new way to solve a tough logistical issue, a little boredom can go a long way. So, perhaps that’s why the famed poet Joseph Brodsky once advised,
“When hit by boredom, go for it and let yourself be crushed by it; submerge, hit rock bottom.” In the end, it can actually have you reaching new heights.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, August 10, 2011 - 10:26:51

Linda Shares a SMALL Story

Thanks to this summer’s soaring temperatures, many of us have been sweating a whole lot more than “the small stuff.” And on one particularly warm day last weekend, I met a friendly passerby whose eye for the details made a small but powerful difference in my day.

Three years ago, I bought two t-shirts while on vacation in California. They are incredibly comfortable and cool so I wear them frequently, especially in the summer. But, at the same time, they are kind of shapeless, and as a result, not very flattering.
Then this past Sunday, a woman walked up to me and asked me where I got the t-shirt because she thought it looked like the perfect thing to wear in the steamy weather.

Believing in the power of small talk, we started a wonderful conversation, right on 86th street, discussing the shirt, the name of the company, and the little shop in Malibu, where I had purchased it. Then, in the course of our conversation, she noticed a small slit at the bottom of the shirt and suddenly realized that the two separated pieces of material were probably meant to be tied together, something I hadn’t noticed because the slit was towards the back. So she kindly tied it up and, “Voila!” It looked so much better! 


It might sound inconsequential, and it’s likely that the woman I met thought little of what she was doing at the time, but our brief encounter made a positive difference in my day… and in my appearance. Proving once again that the power of small is everywhere and it can often have some material worth, literally!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, August 04, 2011 - 8:51:39

An Eye for Details Makes a Million-Dollar Find

There’s no question that having an eye for details can be a tremendous asset in the business world. From being able to spot a misplaced, yet costly, decimal point, to recognizing the potential fruitfulness of an idea when it’s just a tiny seed, sweating the small stuff can play a huge role in your success. But it doesn’t just pay to think small when you’re on the job. As a recent story that’s sweeping the nation shows, having an eye for the details can have unexpected rewards.

When Doug, an Oklahoma native and amateur art collector, headed into a Bath, England antique shop, during a vacation more than thirty years ago, an intricately carved little bowl caught his eye. Marveling at the detail and quality, he had no idea what the item was, but he knew he had to have it, and made a relatively inexpensive purchase. Over the years, he used his keen eye to scout out other similar items at antique shops and flea markets, paying very careful attention to the visual details, but still not knowing much about the history of the pieces he was buying. Then, decades later, he visited Antiques Roadshow as it made a stop in his hometown of Tulsa. And it turned out he had quite the eye, for this novice collector had amassed a small grouping of five bowls worth nearly $1.5 million, setting a record for the PBS program—and setting Doug up for life!

The lesson? No, it’s not to start collecting antiques; it’s to open your eyes. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, each of us hurries to meet our work deadlines, take care of our families, and simply get from Point A to Point B. And in our chaotic, go-go-go routines, we often lose sight of the small stuff that’s all around us, discounting the little things as unimportant or trivial. But, the truth is there’s magic in the small stuff: the source of inspiration for a major innovation, a detail that could make or break your efforts, a million dollar discovery hiding in plain sight. So, while you’re making your way through your busy day, don’t forget to stop and look around. Because when you pause for a minute, you just might find the treasure that everyone else overlooked.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, July 29, 2011 - 11:38:54

Little Mistakes Can Cost You Big Bucks

We have a little saying here at the Kaplan Thaler Group: “Little mistakes spell disaster.” We’ve learned through our own experiences, as well as through the anecdotes of others, to sweat the small stuff because even the tiniest error—something as seemingly insignificant as a typo—can have an outsize negative impact.

Don’t believe us? Consider Paul’s story. A brilliant pre-med student in college, Paul had eagerly applied to a number of medical schools only to be rejected by all of them. Perplexed by the outcome—after all, Paul had been a straight-A student—he sought to get to the bottom of it. And, unfortunately, it was only then that he took the time to reread his personal statement. There, staring back at him from the page was his fatal error: he had spelled medicine m-e-d-e-c-i-n-e.

One little slip-up almost cost him his dream. Fortunately, after discovering his mistake, Paul had time to apply to one more program and was accepted.

For Paul, one typo nearly devastated his personal and professional goals, but a recent New York Times Op-Ed by Virginia Heffernan sheds light on another way little mistakes can wreak havoc. In the digital world, a misspelled word or other typo can have a profoundly negative impact on profits.

She writes:

On the Web, typos sometimes come with a price. “Spelling mistakes ‘cost millions’ in lost online sales,” said a BBC headline last week. The article cited an analysis of British Web figures that suggested that a single spelling mistake on an e-commerce site can hurt credibility so much that online revenues fall by half.

So, the next time you rush off to send that email, print that report, or even tweet that funny one-liner, stop and take a minute to reread what you’ve written. Because, whether it’s personally, professionally, or even financially, one little mistake can cost you.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, July 21, 2011 - 12:41:58

A Little Think Time Can Net BIG Ideas

In today’s hectic work climate, many of us struggle with how to manage it all. We rush from one meeting to another, stop to answer emails, and hurry to tie up loose ends. Although you might think that’s a sign of your intense work ethic, all that doing can actually have a negative effect on your professional creativity. And that means no matter how productive you’re being you could actually be doing yourself a disservice. Fortunately, a recent Fortune Magazine interview with Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative, highlights a very simple way to recharge your creative juices each week: take a 60-minute time out.

By carving out a one-hour time slot devoted to nothing but thinking, you can profoundly affect your creativity at work. Think of this time for active daydreaming not as laziness, but as brain exercise, which not only works your creative muscles, but also enhances your mental flexibility. With this more open mind, you’ll be more apt to recognize what Henry calls, “flashes of creative insight.”

Still, with all the demands of the day-to-day, you might be wondering how you can manage an hour a week for nothing but thinking. After all, in our time-starved society, one hour can mean a lot. So, why not try making the change gradually, in 15-minute increments? Stop and think about your average week and consider the day and time that’s typically lightest for you. For example, if it’s first thing Monday morning, mark your calendar as “busy” for a 15-minute block. Then, approach that time as an important meeting with yourself: turn off your email, silence your smartphone, and just think.

The more you do it, the easier it will get. And the faster—and better—your ideas will flow.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, July 11, 2011 - 12:25:05

Cursive May Be “Archaic,” But Handwriting Still has Old-Fashioned Appeal

For those of you who earned low marks in your grade school school penmanship classes, recent headlines may have you wishing you’d been born a few decades later. As the Tribune-Star first reported in a story that’s made waves online, cursive is now being removed from the Indiana school system’s curriculum—the first official move of its kind in our increasingly digital society.

In their reasoning for cutting cursive from classrooms, school officials called the curlicue-d style of writing “archaic” and explained that the time devoted to teaching it could be better spent instructing students in keyboard skills.  While this move may make sense, it’s a powerful reminder of the increasing rarity of handwriting in our modern age—and its value as a both a personal and business tool.

You certainly won’t find us trading in our iPads and laptops for a paper-only policy anytime soon, but on occasion, a handwritten note can be just the thing to help you make a more personal connection with someone else. It’s not something you should reserve for post-interview thank-you’s either. Whether it’s a little post-it with a word of encouragement left on a coworker’s desk, a “thinking of you” letter sent to a faraway friend, or even a note attached to an clipped article that might be of interest to one of your clients, making it personal by getting the “write stuff” is just another way you can make SMALL work for you. Cursive optional.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, July 05, 2011 - 9:33:08

How Stress Can Help You “Shrink to Success”

This week we came across a great piece on the Harvard Business Review’s blog, in which contributing editor Amy Gallo discusses stress—specifically, how to cope with it, and even put it to work for you. It might sound counterintuitive, but as Gallo explains, stress isn’t always such a bad thing.

In fact, over the years, we’ve found that when approached with the right mindset, you can channel stress to make yourself more productive and more creative, to boot. The trick, however, is to forget about the big picture and look at what’s directly in front of you. That way, you can harness your stress-related energy and immediately put it to work, rather than letting anxiety paralyze your efforts.

One way to do this is to shrink the clock, working one hour at a time. Instead of thinking about how you’re going to get through your whole stressful month, week, or even day, reduce your field of vision to the next sixty minutes. Then, find a problem you need to tackle and give yourself an hour to solve it.

Stressful? Sure, but we like to think of this challenge as a real catalyst for creativity, too. After all, as Chicago City Limits famed artistic director Paul Zuckermann once told us, “ideas don’t come slowly.” Instead, many times the best ideas explode overnight.

When you’re faced with stress on the job, you have two choices: you can let it cripple you, or you can transform it into a valuable tool. Next time, why not give the second option a try? Then, let us know how you used the hidden power of stress to help you shrink to success.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, June 29, 2011 - 9:22:13

A Handful a Day Can Affect What You Weigh

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight over the long term, the conventional wisdom has long been, “everything in moderation.” And while this is still good advice, a new study out of Harvard University suggests that when it comes to some tasty treats, we may need to redefine exactly what our idea of moderation is.

Following a study of over 100,000 participants, researchers found that simply eating one handful of potato chips (or other low-nutrient, high calorie food) on a daily basis can contribute to an average gain of one pound per year. And while that doesn’t sound like much, consider the long term: over the course of 20 years, that one handful of chips per day could cause you to gain 20 pounds, while simply exercising a little more moderation when it comes to eating your favorite special treats, can help you maintain your weight—and overall health—over the course of a lifetime.

Although it might not seem like it, our smallest actions have the power to shape our lives—and this study is just further scientific proof. A simple snack swap, switching your daily chip fix for a handful of almonds for example, can make a huge difference. Of course, we wouldn’t advocate removing anything from your diet altogether—after all, everyone needs a treat from time to time—but it’s a simple trick that could possibly work wonders on your long-term health.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, June 21, 2011 - 10:20:45

The Million-Dollar Rehearsal

If you’ve read sociologist Sarah Thornton’s book, Seven Days in the Art World, which chronicles her research of the complex business of art, you may recall her vivid description of an auction involving Christie’s chief auctioneer, Christopher Burge, who is well known among industry insiders for routinely making record sales of Modern Masters and contemporary artists.

As Dr. Thornton describes, Burge stands at at the rostrum, and calmly calls, “One million, four hundred thousand dollars, to the lady at the back…One million five. Thank you, sir[…] All done? I am selling…One million five hundred thousand dollars to the gentleman on the aisle,” wrapping his hammer sharply on the final bid.

At first, it seems like just another successful sale. But, then, you realize one peculiar detail: Burge has been conducting this auction in an empty room. Every bid, glance, and gesture is merely a product of his vivid imagination. And this elaborate routine was a rehearsal for an auction that was to be held later that evening…  one in a string of record sales that would garner all-time high, multi-million dollar hammer prices for artists Agnes Martin, Maurizio Cattelan, and Richard Prince alone.

As his success in business shows, Burge clearly understands one SMALL truth: little mistakes not only can spell disaster, they can be extremely costly. As the art world’s most successful auctioneer admits in Thornton’s book, a simple slip-up or even a mere waiver of confidence on his part can influence his bidders negatively and possibly wreck a sale. In other words, seemingly minor errors can have major financial consequences. By imagining every possible scenario ahead of time, however, Burge ensures things will go smoothly once it’s “show time.”  And that can make a critical, million-dollar difference.

It’s just another great example of how sweating the small stuff can help you achieve your biggest goals. Whether you’re preparing for a big presentation for your boss at work or readying yourself for a performance at Carnegie Hall, the old wisdom holds true: practice, practice, practice. When you rehearse in advance and prepare yourself for any situation, you’ll end up looking—and feeling—like a million bucks.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, June 13, 2011 - 12:37:28

Good Things Come in SMALL Packages

It should come as no surprise that we don’t subscribe to the philosophy, “Bigger is better.” In fact, in business and in life, it’s often the so-called small stuff that really counts. Typically, when we talk about THE POWER OF SMALL, we mean it in a figurative sense: the tiny detail that made an enormous difference, the little grain of an idea that produced an explosive new product, or the small gesture that made a big impression, for example.

But, SMALL can be powerful in the literal sense, too, and this week bloggers have been buzzing about the tiny designs created by artist Lea Redmond of Leafcutter Designs. Lea crafts miniature versions of handwritten letters and packages that can be customized with an original message and mailed to anyone, anywhere. Considering the outsize impact a simple handwritten note can have, we think this creative and fun idea gives new meaning to “the write stuff.”

Check out her story here and watch Leah in action here:

World’s Smallest Post Service (WSPS) from Leafcutter Designs on Vimeo.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, June 02, 2011 - 3:48:50

SMALL Gut Check: Are Your Goals in Shape for Summer?

It seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming in the New Year. Now, with 2011 at the halfway mark—it’s a great time to reflect on the goals you set for yourself when the clock struck midnight on January 1.

When working toward an important goal, whether professional or personal, it’s important to stop from time to time, do a gut check, and assess your progress. If you’re not getting where you want to be, it might be time to rethink your strategy. To do so, you should start by asking one simple question, “Am I thinking too big?”

It might seem counterintuitive or even absurd, especially when most of us have been taught to think big and dream even bigger. But, let us ask you something: what does all of that big thinking really accomplish? For most people, the answer is little more than intimidation, anxiety, and inertia. The problem with big thinking is that it’s overwhelming—and in fact, it often sets you up for failure.

We’ve all heard the old expression, “Bitten off a little more than he could chew.” Well, what would happen if you took smaller bites? That’s exactly what small thinking is all about.

To be clear: thinking small isn’t about abandoning your big goals. It’s about breaking them down into smaller, more accomplishable tasks so you can achieve them better, faster, and more efficiently. So, keep on dreaming. But don’t forget to stop, shrink your outlook, and seek out the path you should take in order to get there. We think you’ll find it’s best navigated one small step at a time.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, May 24, 2011 - 3:54:49

One Little Detail Can Have You Laughing All the Way to the Bank

Recently, we came across a great article from Design Observer that discussed seven things designers can learn from stand-up comedians. And it got us thinking, “What lessons can the rest of us take away from the comedic process?”

When you stop and think about it, what do many of the greatest comedians have in common? Often, stand-up legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno, for example, hone in on one tiny, trivial detail and turn their observations into a comedic gem. While, for them, the payoff is a big laugh, applying the same approach to business can have you laughing all the way to the bank.

Conventional wisdom has always dictated that the best ideas in business are also the biggest. But we say you can make it big by thinking small. Tiny grains of inspiration exist everywhere—and the key to unearthing the seed of a brilliant idea is by looking at the world a little differently.

Most of today’s successful new products and businesses aren’t completely new inventions. Instead, they’re variations on something that already exists—and in many cases, they were born out the vast potential someone recognized in one little detail.

That’s exactly what happened when Jen Groover, inventor of the Butler Bag, did when she popped the silverware caddy out of her dishwasher and into her diaper bag—and “Voila!” Instant purse organizer. Recognizing that other women would appreciate her ingenious solution, she found a manufacturer to produce her idea and within a few years, she had a licensing deal, a calendar full TV appearances and speaking engagements, and a host of other new products in the works.

So, how can you train your brain to hone in on these golden little opportunities? One of the best ways is to be a little playful, look at two disparate objects, and ask how an aspect of one might be applied to improve the other. It might make you feel silly at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s not only fun, it can be quite rewarding as well.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, May 20, 2011 - 3:58:02

A Life-Saving Tweet

Recently, the New York Times’ managing editor Bill Keller caused quite a stir when he called social media little more than a diversion and speculated it could even be making us stupid. And while cat videos and other silly Internet memes certainly proliferate across social media channels, that’s only one aspect of our increasingly complex and nuanced digital world—a world in which your daily digital actions are by no means insignificant. Rather, something as small as a Facebook update can have an enormous impact. And as the Today Show recently reported, one little “tweet” can even save a life.

In October, after a ten-year fight with kidney disease, Anu Dwivedi learned that she would need a kidney transplant and was placed on the transplant list. But, finding a donor could take years, with her health on the decline, she was running out of time. Unbeknownst to her, Anu’s daughter, Kirti created a Facebook Page seeking help for her ailing mother and thanks to help from her concerned friends and family, word began to spread.

Then, one day, Kirti received a miraculous message on Twitter from a total stranger, Amy Donohue, who had seen the Facebook Page and wanted to help by donating one of her kidneys. As luck would have it, she turned out to be a match! They scheduled the transplant surgery, and now Anu is recovering and looking forward to many healthy years with her family.

It’s just further proof of how our smallest actions—whether in the real world or online—can have a huge impact on our own lives and in the lives of others. A text, a tweet, a Facebook “like,” might not seem monumental, but each one possesses a power you might not realize. It’s up to you to harness it.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, May 12, 2011 - 12:28:04

Work Less For Success?

Okay, so that headline is a little misleading, but we bet it caught your attention—and it’s not that far from the truth after all. According to a recent Business Insider article, the most successful people have something rather unexpected in common. They don’t slave away at the office for hours on end. Instead, they actually leave earlier.

If you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, however, don’t assume that slacking off, taking extra long lunches, and checking out before your work is done will help you get to the top faster. The reason the aforementioned workplace all stars are able to leave at a reasonable hour, Business Insider explains, is because they are masters of time management.

And the good news is, you can be, too. All you have to do is think SMALL.

One of the traps many professionals fall into is the pervasive idea that multitasking is synonymous with productivity. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Countless studies have found that the human brain simply is not designed to process more than one task at a time and doing so actually slows your work pace, decreases your accuracy, and weakens your decision making skills.

On the other hand, those who are most successful at work have eschewed popular professional culture and have already tapped into the power of mini-tasking: completing one small task at a time with intense precision, accuracy, and focus before moving onto the next. It might sound like this “nitpicky” approach would make you work even more slowly, but it’s just the opposite. Mini-tasking makes you faster, more productive, and more effective at your job.

And that means you’ll not only leave work earlier, you’ll make it to the top sooner, too.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, May 06, 2011 - 8:53:22

Give it a Rest

Chances are that your office frowns upon the practice of employees sleeping on the job. But, recent research suggests that a taking a nap during your workday could actually make you much more effective during your waking hours. In fact, sleep experts at the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorder Center believe that particularly for the kinds of positions that require maximum mental alertness—air traffic controllers and surgeons, for example—napping should be a required part of the workday.

Why? Because research has found that taking a short nap can play a powerful role in increasing the brain’s performance. According to a recent Baltimore Sun article, one study found that overnight workers, who took just a 20-minute nap halfway through their day at 3 a.m., could still be described as “vigilant” at the end of their shift at 7 a.m.

Additionally, the Sun reports, “another study of industrial workers on the graveyard shift who napped for an hour between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. documented a long-term boost to job performance.” According to lead researchers, the benefits of the naps actually increased over time, helping the workers to chip away at their sleep deficits and thus become more capable and alert while working.

Of course, napping on the job isn’t necessary for everyone, but the research should act as reminder of the importance of giving yourself a break from your work. It might seem counterintuitive, but chaining yourself to your desk doesn’t make you more productive—it actually slows your pace, decreases your accuracy, and increases fatigue.

So, even if it’s just for ten minutes, make the effort to pry yourself away from your desk and get a change of scenery every day, no matter how packed your agenda might be. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that taking a brief rest from your work makes your best efforts pay off faster.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, May 02, 2011 - 8:50:10

Dancing All the Way to the Bank

Chances are, you’ve heard of the workout craze known as Zumba and you may have even tried it yourself. But, did you know that this popular routine—and big business—is the result of an accident? It’s true, and it’s a great example of how keeping your eyes open for the tiniest opportunities can help lead you to great success.

As the company tells it, the idea for “Zumba” was born when its founder (then a fitness instructor), Beto Perez hurriedly arrived to his class only to realize he had forgotten to bring his traditional aerobics music mix (this was in the days before iPods). So, he improvised on the spot, creating a routine to the beat of the salsa and merengue tapes he had in his backpack. As he led the class, he noticed everyone’s energy levels were higher and they were moved by the music instead of by the instructor’s commands.

Perez knew he had stumbled onto a great idea, so he abandoned his old, tried-and-true routine and began making the fun, Latin-infused workout his trademark. People began to seek his class out, and slowly but surely, he built what would become one of the hottest fitness programs in the world, with classes, videos, clubs, and even an apparel line.

In the Zumba founder’s own words, it was all thanks to a so-called “happy accident.” But, was it really? We think the answer is, “Yes, in part.” Perhaps the more important piece of the puzzle, however, was Perez’s own ability to think small and recognize a big idea when it was just a tiny seed—a valuable skill, many of us should practice. When you focus on the small details, get curious, and look for the hidden possibilities all around you, you open yourself up to endless opportunities for inspiration. And that means the brilliant little idea that’s staring you in the face could be the very same one everyone else has simply overlooked.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, April 27, 2011 - 10:23:39

Be Four Again

When you’re faced with a serious problem, the natural assumption is that it calls for a serious solution. But, what if we told you that the most sensible solutions are often simply ridiculous? In fact, many times, the best way to tackle a tough challenge is to channel your inner child, be playfully creative, and think like a four year old.

As adults, our brains are conditioned to automatically filter out illogical, nonsensical, and outlandish ideas. But often, those crazy and even childish thoughts can provide inspiration for true innovation.

For example, who hasn’t returned home with an enormous watermelon, wondering how on earth you would ever fit it in your refrigerator? And, in your grown-up way of thinking, you’ve probably hoisted it up on the counter, cut it into cubes, and stowed it away in a sealed container. But, what if you thought differently? If you “regressed,” could you identify another space-saving alternative?

That’s just what a few creative and entrepreneurial farmers in Japan did and they came up with a novel idea—one for which customers in the space-constrained country are willing to pay a premium.

They made the watermelons square.

And it didn’t take a miracle of modern science to do it, either. All the farmers did was insert the growing melons into square, tempered glass containers, while they were on the vine. Eventually, the fruits were forced to conform to the shape of the container, becoming (as strange as it sounds) square watermelons!

The lesson? When the obvious solutions aren’t the best ones, it’s time to start thinking about the ridiculous ones—that’s what exactly what children do. When faced with the problem above, a child might suggest, “Make a square watermelon” even though sounds silly, while most adults would immediately self-censor and idea that seems so implausible.

Another great example of childish thinking comes from the brilliant minds at MIT—and this one isn’t just a space-saver. It could actually save millions of lives. As Fast Company reports, nearly 900 million people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water. Contemplating this major issue, researchers at MIT, had a light bulb moment. They realized that even in the most arid climates, fresh water is everywhere. It’s just in the wrong form: vapor.

So, inspired by a tiny beetle native to North Africa’s desert landscape, the researchers have set to work on a new device that, like the insect, harvests the moisture found in fog. And although, admittedly, the technology still has a long way to go, it’s just one more way in which being “SMALL-minded” can help all of us achieve big things.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, April 26, 2011 - 9:51:09

Sweat the SMALL Stuff Like Your Life Depends on It

When you think about the characteristics that lead to a long and healthy life, what springs to mind? We’d imagine the list might go something like this: carefree, relaxed, and free-spirited. Well, you might be surprised to learn that an 80-year scientific study has just turned this long-held notion on its ear. The study uncovered a rather shocking discovery: the people who live the longest—and happiest—lives could actually be described as conscientious, prudent, persistent, well-organized, and even somewhat obsessive. In other words, they eschew the conventional wisdom and do sweat the SMALL Stuff.

According to lead researchers Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin, whose findings are published in the new book, The Longevity Project, genetics play only a supporting role in your chances for a long life. More important are a combination of lifestyle and chance. And that’s where sweating the SMALL stuff comes in.

The New York Times Katherine Bouton reports:

There are three explanations for the dominant role of conscientiousness. The first and most obvious is that conscientious people are more likely to live healthy lifestyles, to not smoke or drink to excess, wear seat belts, follow doctors’ orders and take medication as prescribed. Second, conscientious people tend to find themselves not only in healthier situations but also in healthier relationships: happier marriages, better friendships, healthier work situations.

Contrary to what you might assume, a healthy work situation doesn’t necessarily mean a stress-free one. In fact, provided you enjoy what you do, a job that is demanding, challenging, and even stressful can be good for you. It’s how you manage the stress, by working hard and paying attention to the details that matters.

So, the next time someone tells you not to sweat the small stuff and simply enjoy your life, remember that science is on your side. Being conscientious and focusing on the power of the little things can make you happier, healthier, and more successful to boot.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Wed, April 20, 2011 - 10:20:49

Multi-tasking? Forget about it.

Have you ever been so busy completing the items on your endless to-do list that if you stopped even for a minute, you couldn’t remember what you were doing? New research suggests that the problem might not have been how much you had to do, but how you were doing it. The New York Times reports that the common practice of multi-tasking has now been linked to poor memory function. And it’s just one more reason why we’re taking multi-tasking to task.

Unfortunately for many ambitious professionals, there’s a common misconception that multi-tasking is the best way to power your way through the day and this new finding linking multi-tasking to weakened memory is just the latest development outing the practice as a productivity-killer. Instead of being ultra efficient, multi-tasking is, quite counter-intuitively, the least effective way to get things done fast. Research has found that multi-tasking actually slows your productivity, and worse, it decreases your accuracy, increases fatigue, and negatively impacts your decision-making skills.

You’re probably wondering: “If multi-tasking isn’t the answer, what is?” Well, it’s almost deceptively simple: instead of trying to complete the items on your to-do list concurrently, do them one at a time. Even better, try a technique we call mini-tasking.

Mini-tasking reduces the items on an imposing to-do list to their most basic elements, making seemingly difficult tasks surprisingly effortless. Think of it as making a slightly more detailed outline of your day. Instead of writing only the big tasks you need to complete, such as “prepare presentation,” write down all of the smaller tasks that go into it—gathering photos, formatting PowerPoint slides, and rehearsing what you will say, for example—and then check them off one by one. By visualizing a big task as a series of smaller action items from the start, it will seem more do-able and therefore you’ll accomplish it faster, gaining momentum with each mini-task you complete.

It’s time to banish multi-tasking from your routine once and for all. Now’s the time to get SMALL and get going!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, April 15, 2011 - 9:15:08

Forget the Fear and Encourage Failure

If we told you, “Failure is a goldmine,” you’d probably think we’d misspoken. But, the truth is, failure is actually filled with opportunity—and that’s precisely why one of India’s business titans, and president of The Tata Group, Ratan Tata, tells The Economist that his company is launching a competition to find the best “failed idea.”

The “best failed idea”: it sounds like an oxymoron, right? Apparently it’s such an odd statement that it even ticked off our computer’s Grammar Check. But, however counterintuitive it might sound, failure can be one of the best things that ever happened to you. And you shouldn’t be afraid of it.

In business, professionals often fear failure more than anything else. Yet, failure isn’t nearly as damaging—to your career or to your company—as fear itself. While failure can be a blessing in disguise, fear has no merits: it’s paralyzing, inhibits your creativity, and leaves you in a perpetual rut.

That’s why one of our mottos in business and in life is, “Forget the fear.” When you’re not afraid to fail, you remove one of the biggest obstacles blocking your chances at innovation and success. When you operate in fear, you shut all the doors and lock them up tightly. You shoot down ideas that don’t seem like a sure thing, and hedge your bets. This might seem like the best way to keep your career and business safe, but nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, it’s the quickest path to stagnation and decline.
Why? Because this approach means you close your mind off to the potential that lies in many failed ideas, and therefore you end up cutting potential breakthroughs off at their source. As James Joyce once wrote, mistakes are “the portals of discovery.” When you work without fear and embrace failure, you give yourself the freedom to explore a so-called “bad” idea, think about it with inquisitiveness and focus, and leave the door open for inspiration.

Failure can help you discover an unexpected BANG! idea by forcing you to be nimble minded and consider the alternatives. Consider, for example, one of the most memorable movie scenes in cinematic history:

On the day of shooting for a pivotal action scene in shooting Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford showed up to the set with a serious case of food poisoning. He confided to Steven Spielberg that there was no way he could act the scene as written in his state. So, the two quickly improvised a solution. With the camera rolling, Indiana Jones and his enemy eye each other, and the opponent draws his sword, rushing toward the hero. Then, at the very moment when it appears Jones is about to meet his match, he pulls out his revolver and shoots the villain dead.

It became one of the most talked about scenes in the movie… and all because the initial plan was a waste.

So, be courageous and start taking chances. After all, one bad idea can start a chain reaction that eventually leads to a big BANG!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, April 12, 2011 - 12:16:24

The Duck is in the Details

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we explain how the old adage “the devil is in the details” holds true.  As we like to say, “Little mistakes can spell disaster.” And, especially in business, overlooking just one small element can potentially derail even your best efforts. But, did you know that picking up on the power of a little detail could also mean the difference between a generating so-so idea and a coming up with a real creative breakthrough?

One small detail truly can make all the difference. Take the voice of the Aflac Duck, for example. As you may have seen in the news recently, nationwide auditions have drawn people from all walks of life to take their best “quack” at the coveted role of the beloved Aflac Duck.

Although it might have seemed like a non-factor when we were first developing the campaign, the duck’s unmistakable quack has become inextricably linked to the iconic symbol. Not only did it play a powerful role in cementing the brand in people’s minds—making Aflac one of the most recognizable names in America—it has now inspired thousands of people to vie for the chance to become his new voice.

The quack heard round the world: just one more example of how there’s really no such thing as a “minor detail.”

Who would have thought that his voice would become so important given his limited vocabulary? After all, the Duck only says one word… but that one word has proven to be particularly powerful.

So, think about that when you say “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Please,” or “Thank You.”  It may be just a word or two, but how you say it can make all the difference. 

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, April 07, 2011 - 9:28:46

Creatives of Habit

Think sticking to a routine makes you bland, boring, and unimaginative? Think again. A recent article from The 99 Percent reveals—quite counter-intuitively—that tapping into a seemingly mundane part of your daily life can play a powerful role in making you more creative.

Mark McGuinness writes:

By repeating the same routine every day, […] creators are effectively hypnotizing themselves, deliberately altering their state of consciousness in order to access the “deeper state of mind” that allows them to work their creative magic. The different elements of the routine become associated with this creative state of mind, so that they can re-enter it by simply repeating the steps of the routine.

Or, in other words, you can actually make creativity a habit.

As the founders of the agency known for generating “Bang! Ideas,” we know a thing or two about being inventive—and, in fact, we use this routine-approach regularly. But contrary to what you might think, it’s not about getting caught in the process trap; it’s about finding that little, easily repeatable activity that relaxes you, reduces your stress, and acts as a trigger for the creative side of your brain. It could be anything: a few jokes and a little chit chat at the start of a meeting, a 30 minute walk at the beginning of your day, or even a playlist full of Irish flute music on your iPod. (Just trust us on this one!) As long as it’s tied to the memory of a past success, it can help prime your mind for inspiration.

So, if you think being creative is all about being over-the-top and unpredictable, think again. Sometimes, the “same-old, same-old” is exactly what you need to imagine something entirely new.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, April 04, 2011 - 9:01:26

Cluttered Space, Cluttered Mind

Having trouble focusing? The key to kicking your brain into high gear could be as simple as cleaning your desk. According to a recent post on the aptly-named blog, Unclutterer, new research has found that physical clutter negatively impacts the brain’s ability to focus and process information.

The study out of the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, recently published in The Journal of Neuroscience, reports: “Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation by mutually suppressing their evoked activity throughout the visual cortex, providing a neural correlate for the limited processing capacity of the visual system.” Or, more simply stated, the more visual stimulation, such as clutter, you have competing for your attention, the harder it is to concentrate on the task at hand.

Previous studies have already found that the human brain is designed to focus on one thing at a time, rather than to multitask, so, these latest assertions shouldn’t be too surprising. And since many of us probably suffer from a less than neat workspace, they should also be welcome news. After all, it provides a small yet powerful opportunity to make your workday more productive—and it’s one you can seize with ease.

All you have to do is engage in a bit of what we like to call “stealth cleaning.” You can easily keep a clean space tidy by making a point to put away just three things each morning and evening. But, if you have a messy desk on your hands, there’s an easy way to get it clean, painlessly. Instead of working from all sides—which, let’s face it, can be exhausting and even make things worse—make a viewfinder with your hands and zero in on one spot you’d like to make spotless. Then, set a timer for 15 minutes and start cleaning. Once the time is up, repeat on another area and get going. Before you know it, your desk will be mess-free and your mind will feel less cluttered.

And that means you’ll not only return to a place that looks smarter, you’ll actually start working smarter, too.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, April 01, 2011 - 8:58:14

Saving the World in Small Doses

Recently, we came across an eye-opening Economist article that discussed the less noticeable, yet far more pervasive aspects of hunger, its effects, and the surprising ways in which many of them can be virtually eradicated.

Contrary to what you would probably assume, hunger and malnutrition most often affect people whose caloric intake is sufficient. But, as The Economist reports, their diets are missing a vital element: micronutrients like vitamin A and iron. These deficiencies can have devastating effects not only on the body, but also on entire populations:

Such deficiencies do long-term damage to societies as well as to individuals. Compared with their better-fed peers, nutrition-deficient children have more diseases and lower educational standards (perhaps because they can not concentrate in class). Nutrition-deficient adults earn less and are more likely to die early. Famines lay waste to countries; bad diets cripple them silently.

A 2007 Population Reference Bureau study estimated that as many as two billion people worldwide suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. In the face of such a widespread problem, finding a solution can seem impossible. Yet, The Economist suggests that there is a SMALL fix that could have a truly transformative impact. They call it “good food by stealth,” and it’s something most of us see everyday on the shelves of our local grocers: iodized salt, vitamin D milk, and enriched bread to name a few.

It may sound inconsequential, but in countries where fortified foods aren’t already the norm, it’s hardly the case. In fact, two Nobel Prize winning economists estimated that boosting the world population’s nutrition would be the best way to spend money in order to help the world. And for something that experts admit is a relatively inexpensive endeavor, it offers quite a powerful return on investment.

It’s just another example of how SMALL has the power to change the world. When we look at the world’s biggest problems, it’s easy to assume that great challenges call for big-thinking solutions. But, many times this simply isn’t the case. In fact, quite counter-intuitively, shrinking your focus and looking for the small fixes can frequently prove most effective.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, March 28, 2011 - 8:52:38

Seeing Red

It’s no secret that Christian Louboutin’s sky-high heels have a cult-like following. But, the story behind their iconic red soles might surprise you. As we read in The New Yorker this week, what has become one of the essential elements of Louboutin’s multi-million dollar brand happened almost by accident.

Lauren Collins writes that after three years in business, Louboutin’s company was struggling to stay afloat. One day, while working in his studio, he had a moment of inspiration:

Louboutin had thought of making a shoe inspired by Andy Warhol’s “Flowers.” The prototype, a pink stacked heel with a cartoonish cloth blossom had arrived from Italy. “I was very happy, because it was similar to the drawing,” Louboutin recalled, “but the drawing still was stronger and I could not understand why.” Louboutin continued, “There was this big, black sole, and then, thank God, there was this girl painting her nails at the time.” Louboutin grabbed the nail polish—it was red—from the assistant and slathered it on the sole of the prototype. “Then it popped,” he recalled, “and I thought, This is the drawing!”

Today, those red soles are synonymous with his brand—and carry the kind of cachet and instant brand recognition that other designers covet. But, it never would have happened had Louboutin not been receptive to the tiny grains of inspiration that could have easily gone unnoticed.

Sure, it makes for a great business legend, but Louboutin’s story is by no means an anomaly. It’s just one more powerful example of how you can make it big by thinking small.

Mark de Rond, Adrian Moorhouse, and Matt Rogan recently explored this idea on The Conversation, in a discussion of serendipity. As they explained, “serendipity is to see meaningful combinations where others do not.” And that means it’s a skill like any other, not simply a stroke of luck.

So, why not get curious, start thinking SMALL, and try harnessing the power of serendipity for yourself. By looking at the world with inquisitive eyes, you never know when you might discover the kind of idea that has you seeing green.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, March 26, 2011 - 8:56:04

Reminder: There’s No Delete in Cyberspace

In our changing digital world, it’s no surprise that many colleges are placing greater emphasis on incorporating new technologies into their classrooms. One study even estimated that by 2015, 25% of textbooks will be in e-book format. Despite all this, recent events have us wondering if there’s something a little more basic that colleges should be adding to their syllabi with respect to the Web: there’s no delete in cyberspace.

It’s a lesson one college student recently learned the hard way.

Over the past few weeks, a controversial and racially charged YouTube video made headlines—and Internet meme history—after it was posted by Alexandra Wallace, an undergraduate at UCLA. Her rant quickly received millions of views—and although she quickly removed her original posting, the damage had already been done. Innumerable tweets, blog posts, Facebook status updates, and emails had made the video and its many re-postings viral and ubiquitous. And suddenly, the name Alexandra Wallace had become inextricably linked to the words “racist rant” across the Web.

In addition to generating a number of Youtube spoofs and snarky blog posts, Wallace and her actions became the topic for a widely-shared New York Times Op-Ed column and eventually caused her withdrawal from school. It’s just further proof of a very powerful Small Truth: it’s a byte-size world. We’re all just a click away from being totally visible to virtually everyone else on the planet—and that’s why every link, “like,” and post matters.

In the heat of the moment, you might think that a snarky comment, video, or email can’t do any harm. But, the reality is, one little virtual slip-up can have very real—and lasting—consequences. So, before you get carried away, stop, give yourself a minute, and consider how you’d like your cyber-biography to read. Because, thanks to our digital world, you’re pretty much an open book.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, March 25, 2011 - 8:43:43

Could Your Pet Be a Life Saver?

What if we told you that your goldfish could save your life? Well, it probably sounds like a bit of a stretch. But, according to a recent series of Science Times articles, it might not actually be too far from the truth.

If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably already experienced the emotional rewards of owning one. But, being a proud pet parent could also improve your physical health. Medical research has found that owning a pet—any pet—has actually been linked to lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But, that’s not all. An Australian National Survey found that dog and cat owners, specifically, made fewer annual visits to the doctor and were less likely to be on heart medication or to suffer from insomnia than non-owners. Additionally, a study out of Germany, which included owners of all kinds of pets, found similar results.

Certainly, getting a pet isn’t for everyone—and it’s definitely not a responsibility you should take on solely for the health benefits. But, it’s just another powerful reminder of how SMALL works wonders everyday, in some of the most unexpected ways. In the moment you may think a decision you make or an action you take is insignificant or inconsequential, but in fact, it could have the power to change your life. If you open your eyes and look for the small opportunities all around you, you might be surprised at what you find. It could even be curled up at your feet. 

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, March 17, 2011 - 9:35:50

Your Personal Happiness Index: The Small Things Count

We recently came across a great New York Times op-ed by Roger Cohen that discussed the U.K.’s new creation of a national happiness index and the various reactions the program has elicited from the public. While some believe it is a waste of time and resources, Cohen argues that it could be of real value and continues to talk about the things in his own life that make him truly happy.

As we read his brief list, we immediately noticed something. Most of them—a walk in the park and kissing his daughter goodnight, for example—are what you might call “small stuff.” And it served as a powerful reminder: although they might seem insignificant in your day-to-day life, the little things really matter.

We often talk about how failing to pay attention to the little things can spell disaster, while taking the time to notice them can help you be the first to spot the tiny grain of a brilliant idea. But, the magic of small reaches much further. Taking time to appreciate the little things really can make you happier… and science can prove it:

A number of studies conducted in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis found that people who focus more on life experiences and less on personal possessions are markedly happier. But, contrary to what you might think, those experiences don’t have to be monumental, like a vacation to Paris or a sky diving expedition. One study published last June in Psychological Science found that people who appreciate “life’s smaller everyday pleasures, like eating a chocolate bar,” are also the happiest. Or, in other words, experience trumps expense.

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” But, what if we told you that most of life’s most magical moments are just that: small stuff? As Gretchen Rubin writes in her book, The Happiness Project, the days are long, but the years are short. And if you’re not paying attention, you could be missing out.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, March 11, 2011 - 3:52:28

Sleep Experts Say, “Put Your Gadgets to Bed.”

It’s no secret that sleep is important, but most Americans just aren’t getting enough of it these days. Although numerous studies have shown that the human brain needs eight to nine hours of sleep each night to function optimally, a 2009 study found that most people average only six hours and 40 minutes of sleep per night. And new research provides some interesting insight on why this might be: it turns out our favorite little tech devices can wreak havoc on our sleep cycles.

Why? Because when your brain should be winding down, “plugging in” tells it to fire up on all cylinders. This stimulation, in turn, prevents the body from releasing a hormone essential to feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. That means instead of going to bed with a mind that’s primed for rest you’re hitting the sheets fully awake.

In a poll conducted this year by the National Sleep Foundation, researchers discovered that 95 percent of Americans use a communication device—such as a computer, smart phone, or tablet—within one hour before bedtime. Therefore, it’s no surprise that so many people are having so much trouble falling asleep at night.

Fortunately, by making just one small change, they may experience a very big benefit. Of course, if you’re addicted to your tech devices, putting them away an hour before you go to bed can seem like an unreasonable expectation. So, why not adjust to the change gradually instead of making it all at once?

Try working backwards in ten-minute increments. If you normally go to bed at 11:00, your tech cut-off time should be no later than 10:00. On the first night of your new routine, use your laptop, phone, tablet or other device as you normally would and then take note of the last time you used it. The next night, schedule that final check-in 10 minutes earlier and use the time you’ve saved in order to do something less stimulating, like flipping though a magazine or even folding laundry.  Then do the same the night after that, and so on until you’ve reached a time under the 10:00 mark. 

After just a few days, you’ll have painlessly adjusted to your new bedtime routine—and start waking up better prepared to take on the day.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, March 04, 2011 - 10:38:55

Delaying Gratification Now Can Have a Big Payoff Later

Pardon us for being indelicate, but did you know that when you’ve “gotta go,” it actually helps you make smarter decisions? That’s what one new study out of the University of Twente in the Netherlands claims after identifying a link between bladder control and the part of the brain that activates feelings of desire and reward.

The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Mirjam Tuk tells The Telegraph that when placed in this particular situation, “People are more able to control their impulses for short term pleasures and choose more often an option which is more beneficial in the long run.”

But, before you institute a no bathroom break policy in your workplace, we have good news. The study finds that this positive effect on decision-making can be experienced in many other ways as well. Namely, anything involving controlling impulsive desires for immediate gratification—and that could be as simple as one of our favorite SMALL tricks. Give yourself a minute (or however long your average potty break might take) to reflect before committing to a point of view.

Instead of rushing toward the easy answer, or instantly going with the very first idea that comes to mind, stop and exercise a little impulse control. Certainly, there are many times when the instinctual response is the right course of action. Many other times, however, the best answer isn’t always immediate. In fact, some of the most ingenious ideas are the most counterintuitive and unexpected. But, if you rush ahead with the first thing that feels good, even if it works out, you could potentially be missing out on something bigger and better. In other words, a small sacrifice in the short term could earn you a sizable reward later on.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, February 28, 2011 - 11:24:58

Can We Please Have a Moment of Silence?

You might have come across a New York Times article this week that takes a look at the profound effect human noise has on wildlife in our National Parks—and how the efforts of a few parks around the country have worked to dramatically change the environment of their protected forests, just by reducing manmade noise.

As, The Times’ Felicity Barringer explains, noise disturbances evoke anti-predator behaviors and interfere with other activities that enhance fitness like foraging for food, mating and tending to young. And this, in turn, can have a negative effect on population counts. But ten years after first making strides to create a more serene environment—including reducing car traffic and removing loud metal garbage cans—in nature reserves, park officials are seeing positive signs.

And it got us thinking about the value of silence outside the natural world and inside the business one. Specifically, the effect it can have on your at-work productivity each day. In our noisy world, we’re constantly bombarded with messages: phone calls, coworkers dropping by for a chat, pings from incoming texts and emails… you get the idea. It can be difficult just to hear yourself think. In fact, the deluge of audio and visual information most people face daily has become so overwhelming that the human brain simply cannot process all of it at once. It’s been found to cause fatigue, lower focus, and hurt your performance. So, that’s why giving yourself a minute or two to shut everything out can be vital to your overall productivity, helping you recharge your brain and retune your focus.

But, it’s not about taking a vow of silence for hours on end. While a bit of quiet can help you center your thoughts and enhance your efficiency on the job, silence isn’t “golden” all of the time. Quite the opposite: sometimes when you’re looking for a creative solution the best thing to do is to create chaos. And that’s why many times when you walk into our offices at the Kaplan Thaler Group, you’ll hear a lot of chatter. In fact, we encourage interruptions. While sometimes a moment or two of solitary silence can be just what you need to refresh your mind and find the answer to a tough problem, other times, it’s the uninformed intruder on a conversation who can offer the most clarity by finding a fresh solution or even a novel approach.

So, whether you’re enjoying a quiet moment alone or are engaged in a lively discussion with your co-workers, keep those ears open and listen up. There’s an answer somewhere, just waiting to be heard.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 25, 2011 - 9:50:19

Body Talk

Let’s face it. We all have those days when you look in the mirror and you just don’t like what you see, but if you think those thoughts more than once in a while, you’re not alone. A surprising new report from Glamour Magazine shines a light on just how many—and how often—women around the country have those unpleasant, “I hate my body” moments. In fact, an estimated 97% of women experience feelings of poor self-image at least once, but on average 13 times a day.

By now, we all know how an off hand remark or seemingly innocuous, but off-color comment can wreak havoc on the ways others perceive you. But, science has found that the way you talk to yourself can have an equally damaging effect—and to make matters worse, it can start a vicious cycle of negativity that’s hard to break.

“Neuroscience has shown that whatever you focus on shapes your brain. If you’re constantly thinking negative thoughts about your body, that neural pathway becomes stronger—and those thoughts become habitual,” psychologist Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D, explains to Glamour. Continuing, “Imagine a concert pianist. Her brain would have stronger neural pathways that support musicality and dexterity than someone who hadn’t spent her life practicing.”

In other words, the more often you think poorly about yourself, the more better you get at it—and that’s not just limited to your body image. Any tiny negative behavior, when repeated over time, can become so ingrained in your routine that it becomes almost automatic. Whether it’s telling yourself that you look terrible or that you can’t possibly get that promotion, spreading gossip at work or passive-aggressively putting your coworkers down, the little things you say and do everyday (even if it’s just internally) can have a dramatic impact on not only the way in which others see you, but on the way you see yourself. And that can affect you in ways you might not expect from your career success, to the health of your personal relationships.

So, consider your words carefully. Even if you’re just talking to yourself, what you say matters.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, February 22, 2011 - 10:40:11

The Runner’s High Really is Just That

If you’ve ever heard the term “runner’s high” you probably thought it was just a euphemism, but new research suggests that perhaps it’s not. Although long believed to be the result of the endorphin rush associated with exercise, a new study featured in The New York Times finds that the good post-workout buzz you feel in your brain may actually be caused by the release of a different chemical and that endorphins may only invigorate your body. What’s more, that chemical, known as an endocannabinoid, is also linked to the feelings of relaxation and well-being produced by marijuana.

In other words, it’s yet another reason to “just say yes” to working out. And, contrary to what you might assume, you don’t have to toil away for hours at the gym to experience its effects. In fact, in one study, scientists found that less than an hour of cardiovascular exercise can significantly increase the amount of endocannabinoid molecules in the bloodstream—and some scientists even theorize that their pleasurable effects may be what causes humans to tolerate, or even enjoy exercise in the first place.

But, if the potential physical and mental rewards of exercise still aren’t quite powerful enough to get you out of your chair, we can help. By thinking SMALL, you can take on your work-out effortlessly and be feeling fine in no time. All you have to do is count down.

Instead of trying to do a session on the stationary bike, elliptical, treadmill, or stairmaster in one big chunk, make it easy. Grab a timer (even the most basic cell phone should have one) and set it for just five minutes. Then get moving. When time is up, set it again for four minutes, then three, and so on. Once you’ve completed the cycle, move on to a different exercise and repeat. Once you’ve reached zero, 30 minutes will have passed with ease…and as an added bonus, you’ll be feelin’ groovy.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 18, 2011 - 10:50:02

A Little “Me” Time Isn’t a Luxury, It’s a Necessity

On Open Forum this week, author and entrepreneur, Jane Applegate, writes about the importance of pulling yourself away from your hectic work schedule to invest an hour each day in yourself and we couldn’t agree more with this idea. In our age of information overload and constant connectivity, doing so might make you feel like you’re neglecting the pressing items on your to-do list, and it might even make you feel guilty. But, quite counter-intuitively, taking a step back from the business at hand and focusing on something else can help you work smarter and more efficiently.

As we discuss in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, taking a few moments to refresh your mind can mean the difference between spotting the seed of a brilliant idea and overlooking it completely. It goes against the conventional approach to problem solving, but science has found again and again that taking a step back is essential to moving forward.

Of course, when you’re bogged down with all of the demands of your busy life, taking a time out can feel like an impossible task in and of itself, so here are a few SMALL ideas to help you get started.

Take back your lunch. Contrary to what you might think, habitually eating lunch at your desk doesn’t make you more productive. In fact, it can actually hinder your on-the-job performance. Sitting at a desk for hours on end reduces blood flow throughout your body, making you feel tired and sluggish.  But, just by getting up for a change of scenery, whether it’s in the break room or at the corner deli, you’ll get your blood flowing again, providing you with natural energy boost needed to power your through the afternoon.

Go for a stroll. The New York Times recently ran an article highlighting the effectiveness of hiking in the great outdoors on people’s at-work productivity. But, if you’re surroundings are a bit more urban, you can still experience the benefits of getting outside and moving. Even small amounts of light physical exercise have been found to reduce stress and frustration, elevate mood, increase concentration and focus, and enhance memory skills.

Have a laugh. That funny YouTube video might not be such a time-waster after all…if it really cracks you up. Laughing and elevated mood are integral to creative problem solving. Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that the state resulting from laughter significantly boosts your effectiveness at solving mental puzzles—particularly when it comes to “A-ha!” moments of inspiration.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 18, 2011 - 9:57:39

A New Reason to Keep Your Customers Happy

When we talk about the power of NICE, one of the things that resonates most with people is the idea that one kind act can have a ripple effect, spreading good feelings and actions from person to person and promoting positivity—whether in the workplace, at home, or at school. Over the years, we’ve found it to be an almost immutable truth: nice begets nice. And for businesses in the service sector, there’s promising news. When it comes to your customers, this is also true.

The New York Times blog, Freakonomics reports that the economists and authors of a soon-to-be-released paper called “Happiness and Time Preference,” have made quite a NICE discovery: When people are happy, they’re more patient. The study revealed that when people are experiencing positive emotions, they are less aware of, and therefore less affected by the passage of time.

That means you can dramatically improve your customers’ overall experience just by going the extra inch.  So, ask, ‘What can I do to make my customers’ wait time a happy one?’ It may be as simple as sweetening the deal.

In fact, that’s just what one successful chain of jewelry stores has done for years—and, unexpectedly, it’s done much more than help them keep their customers happy. For years, managers watched as clientele grew increasingly fed up with their long customer service lines. Then one day during the holiday season, when many of their employees shared homemade goodies with one another, they had a spark of festive inspiration. They could bake cookies and pass them out to waiting customers. It was an immediate hit. Not only did it help keep the customers happy, that simple NICE gesture became such a well-known fact about the company that it’s now one of their customer service trademarks. And that’s helped them take a bite out of the competition.

Naturally, every almost service-based business wants to keep their customers’ wait time to a minimum, but there are occasions when there’s simply no alternative. Yet, in our time-starved society, few people are happy to wait without an incentive—and that’s just one reason why it pays to be NICE.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, February 14, 2011 - 1:34:14

Are Your Employees Asking, “Where is the Love?”

It’s Valentine’s Day, and for most people, that means showing loved ones how much you care, whether it’s your significant other, your kids, your parents, or your best friends. But, as we celebrate this most lovey-dovey of holidays, it might be a good time for managers to stop and ask themselves, “Am I doing enough to show my employees how much I appreciate them?”

If you’re unsure, chances are your office could probably benefit from a little display of gratitude. A November 2009 Careerbuilder.com survey revealed that 40% of employees have difficulty staying motivated at work, while 23 percent describe their office morale as “low.”  The reason? They felt unappreciated by their employers.

But, contrary to what you might think, it doesn’t take a whopping pay raise or a slew of promotions to make people feel valued. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Studies have shown repeatedly that it’s the small, interpersonal gestures managers make to their employees that have the biggest payoff.

A 2010 McKinsey study found that the best workplace motivators appeal directly to the emotions, with 67 percent listing praise or recognition from an immediate manager as “effective” or “extremely effective.”  What’s more, respondents found all emotionally-based motivators to be more effective than financial ones.

And while we certainly can’t argue with the value of congratulating an employee on a job well done, we have another little trick that we’ve found rather effective—and particularly timely given the time of year: offer up some chocolate. Yes, when you “sweeten the deal” quite literally, you’ll find that your employees will actually experience a bit of an emotional boost. It’s not just because of the sweet taste, either. Chocolate contains over 300 different chemicals, including caffeine, theobromine, and phenylethylamine, which stimulate the neurotransmitters in the brain linked to concentration and mood. In other words, a few handfuls of M&M’s could have employees feeling better and working smarter. Quite a big accomplishment for a little chocolate candy!

No matter what your approach, demonstrating your gratitude toward your employees and recognizing their accomplishments regularly is a SMALL but highly effective way to transform your office culture and rev up productivity—and as a result, kick your business into high gear. Now that’s something everyone can love.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 11, 2011 - 1:38:01

On an Information Binge? Time to Detox.

There’s a dangerous behavior out there that’s wreaking havoc on the way millions of professionals do business every day. In fact, some might say it’s an addiction of sorts, but perhaps to something you would never expect—to you, it might even seem harmless, or worse, helpful. You could even be doing it right now. “What is this dangerous behavior?” you ask.

The answer may surprise you: it’s multitasking.

Although many of us have made multitasking a habit at work and at home—for many, it’s even a part of their job descriptions—it’s having a disastrous effect on the way we get things done, as evidenced in an article we came across this week in The McKinsey Quarterly. Despite popular beliefs to the contrary, multitasking isn’t making us more efficient; it’s making us less effective. And with the daily deluge of information—from phone calls, to texts, emails, tweets, and the like—it’s getting harder and harder to direct your attention when and where it’s needed most.

Derek Dean and Caroline Webb write:

The root of the problem is that our brain is best designed to focus on one task at a time. When we switch between tasks, especially complex ones, we become startlingly less efficient: in a recent study, for example, participants who completed tasks in parallel took up to 30 percent longer and made twice as many errors as those who completed the same tasks in sequence. The delay comes from the fact that our brains can’t successfully tell us to perform two actions concurrently.

If you’re a regular multitasker, this information may come as a shock, but why not let it become a call to action. The truth is, by making small changes to your usual habits, you can transition from the productivity-zapping multitasking to a technique that’s much more efficient. Something we call, “minitasking.”

Instead working on multiple projects at once—answering questions on the phone, while typing an email, and simultaneously reviewing a spreadsheet—stop, focus your attention, and make a decision. Ask yourself, “Which task is a priority right now?” Then, complete it one step at a time without interruption before moving on to your next task. Not only will you find that you complete it faster, you’ll notice it contains less errors, and as an added bonus, you’ll feel energized instead of exhausted.

Of course, it can be difficult not to give in to the powerful temptation of multitasking, and because it’s so pervasive in our culture, you might feel peer pressure to participate. But, as Gary Loveman, CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, aptly stated to McKinsey, ““You have to guard against the danger of overeating at an interesting intellectual buffet.” And when you forego it—choosing the healthier option of minitasking instead—you’ll find yourself in fighting shape.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 11, 2011 - 1:27:25

Good Deeds Go Digital

“Really, the only way you can change things is with small steps, and to do that with enthusiasm,” says Amanda Rose, to Mashable in a recent interview. As the founder of Twestival, an international Twitter festival that harnesses the power of social media to encourage social good by bringing together online communities to support local charities one day each year, Rose demonstrates daily how our smallest actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others—and how through something as small as a “tweet,” NICE 2.0 can plant positive seeds not only across the Web, but around the world.

It’s all part of Twestival’s simple, yet powerful philosophy: “Tweet. Meet. Give.” And, they report on their website, in just the two years since Twestival launched, they’ve raised over $1 million globally. Now, that’s the power of NICE 2.0. This year, the annual event will take place on March 24 in 125 cities in practically every time zone, bringing together good-hearted individuals recruited online together in the real world to help support charitable causes. 

Interestingly enough, the event organizers have found that social media hasn’t just been integral to the operation of Twestival. It’s actually played a key role in helping their telecommuting team members form friendly relationships more quickly. Instead of relying mostly on email, Twestival members use Twitter to communicate via Direct Message and @mention, encouraging a chatty, conversational tone from the very start. And when you’re coping with the stresses of planning a worldwide event, having a strong relationship with your collaborators is more than merely a plus, it’s a necessity.

There’s no doubt that our digital age has opened all of us up to greater opportunities than ever before—whether it’s in business, social good, or even social life. And although much has been said to the contrary, when used with NICE 2.0 principles in mind, social media and other technological developments can impact your life—and those of others—in positive ways you might have never expected. Truly, it could even help you change the world.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, February 07, 2011 - 10:12:28

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise

We’ve all heard the old saying, “You can never be too rich or too thin,” but did you know that your financial habits and your eating habits actually go hand in hand? According to an Open Forum article by financial expert Jean Chatzky, research has found that your physical and financial well-being are inextricably linked, with a study out of Germany concluding that being in serious debt doubles your risk of becoming obese. But, as Chatzky explains, by tackling one problem a step at a time, you can gain control of the other much more easily. And it all starts with thinking SMALL.

When you’re under the influence of the prevailing, big-thinking wisdom, it can be tempting to try to solve all of your problems at once, but doing so is overwhelming and ultimately sets you up for failure. While both your physical and financial health are essential to your overall well-being, choosing just one as a starting point and gradually accomplishing the small goals you set along the way will give you the momentum and confidence needed to eventually take on—and complete—the other. And it doesn’t matter which one you choose. No matter where you start, there are a number of small steps you can take to help you along your journey.

If weight loss is your primary focus, for example, start looking for tiny changes you can make to your diet each day. You may be surprised at how much a simple switch can help. For example, just by opting for a diet soda or water over your usual sugary drink, you could shed ten pounds over the course of a year. Or, to help you move more, invest in an inexpensive pedometer and challenge yourself to walk just 50 steps more each day. When you think of it as a game, you’ll soon find yourself opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator and walking a few extra blocks instead of hailing a cab.

SMALL thinking works well for your finances, too, especially when you make changes so subtle they become automatic. For example, in order to pay down a debt, set up an automatic payment of a manageable amount to be deducted from your account whenever you receive your paycheck. Then, at the end of the month, make an extra payment when you can. (This also works well when building up a savings account.) By making it automatic, the payments will be painless, and you’ll quickly become accustomed to your new budget.

Whether it’s your physical health, your financial well-being, or something else entirely, there’s no limit what thinking SMALL can help you achieve. So, leave the “go big or go home” mentality to the Super Bowl players. Then, get SMALL and get going!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, February 04, 2011 - 10:22:07

Is Facebook Rekindling the Values of Our Grandparents’ Generation or Just Making Us Depressed?

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we discuss how the efficiency of our digital age has made the once commonplace act of small talk a bit of an anomaly—and as a result, people are starved for it. But, could sites like Facebook actually be having a much more profound effect on people? This week, we came across two articles expressing dramatically different viewpoints regarding the popular social network, but we believe the way the site (which turns seven years old today) affects you all depends on how you use it. And to get the most out of it, you have to harness the power of NICE 2.0.

As a recent Mashable article explains, even though friends and families today are much more geographically spread out than in previous generations, Facebook gives us all the opportunity to keep each other abreast of the latest events in our lives—and for some, that’s created an intimate, small-town feel despite the vastness of the World Wide Web. Yet, for others, a Slate.com piece suggests, being exposed to those rosy, idealized images your friends post to their profiles each day can have the opposite effect, making you feel depressed and dissatisfied with your own situation.

And certainly, if you tend to be “anti-social” while perusing your news feed that could be the result. But, simply by participating in a few positive interactions—or, engaging in what we like to call NICE 2.0 behaviors—you can avoid those negative feelings.

How do we know this? Because studies have found that online social interactions can actually have the same mood boosting effects as in-person encounters. Plus, with each friendly like or comment, you create one more positive link and open yourself up not only to further communications with that individual, but greater opportunities for advancement throughout your life.

Of course, if you’re just dipping your toe into the digital world, you may be concerned that there’s no delete in cyberspace—and that’s true. But, when you make NICE 2.0 your online policy, you ensure that you’ll never regret a message you’ve posted on the fly…and that wherever you turn, you’ll always have a friend in your corner, Facebook or otherwise.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, January 31, 2011 - 10:34:23

Small Talk is No Laughing Matter

image courtesy of Daniel Zanetti

Recently, we came across a hilarious comic on Mashable called “Great Moments in Text Messaging,” in which writer Matt Silverman and artist Kirsten Eissenpreiss humorously illustrate how history might have played out had text messaging been an option. But, all kidding aside, it made us think of the ways in which many of us communicate every day—and how they might be causing us to miss out on important opportunities.

There’s no doubt that in today’s world that text messaging, just like Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and email, is just another fact of life. And most of the time, it’s a convenient way for quickly connecting on the go. But, while texting and other digital options are all great ways to exchange information, there’s one area where they’re truly lacking, and that’s small talk.

Though its name sounds insignificant, in reality there’s nothing “small” about small talk. It’s the social lubricant that sets more important conversations in motion and the glue can cement many relationships in your life.  Although today’s wireless is connecting more people than ever before, you might want to ask yourself, “When was the last time I really connected?” If you have to stop and think about it, then now is the perfect time to start.

Luckily, making small talk is one of the easiest things you can do to connect with someone else, whether it’s a business associate, a friend, or a casual acquaintance. And what’s more, it can make your relationships stronger with very little effort. All you have to do is remember to take advantage of the smallest opportunities and not overlook a chance to make small talk when it presents itself.

Of course, there are many times when digital is the right call, but that doesn’t mean your electronic communiqués must sound robotic. Simply by reading a text or email before pressing send send, you can identify ways to give it a bit more digital warmth. For example, by turning a directive into a question: “Rewrite the last line, it’s not working for me,” becomes “How about rewriting the last line? Do you think it would help to have something funnier here?”  That way the employee ultimately feels like he or she is part of the process, that it was he or she that has decided to take an action.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, January 28, 2011 - 8:56:15

When Little Words Can Launch a Big Controversy

“Please go away.” It might be an acceptable request if you’re having a particularly bad day and all you want is to be left alone. But, if you’re the CEO of a company and you just happen to be talking to a paying customer? Well, then that’s hardly the case.

But, that’s exactly the response Tumblr CEO David Karp gave a customer recently after receiving an email voicing dissatisfaction in regard to the popular blogging site’s recent string of downtime issues. And with just a few words, he launched a big controversy that could easily have been avoided.

In fact, reaction to the 24 year-old Founder and CEO’s harsh email response across the social media universe has been so severe that bloggers at PostDesk Debates have even asked if Karp could be the growing company’s downfall. And while that remains to be determined, it just goes to show how no action is insignificant—and how little mistakes can spell disaster.

In today’s rapid-fire, digital age, it’s easier than ever to get caught sticking a virtual foot in your mouth. Every day, many of us send off hasty replies to emails without giving them a second thought. But, if you give yourself a minute—no matter how busy your schedule is that day—you could be doing yourself a huge favor.

Why? Because, as we like to say, “There is no delete in cyberspace.” The messages we send, whether it’s via email, @mention, or Wall post, live on forever online—and one little slip-up can wreak havoc on the relationships you’ve spent years building. Whether it’s an unfortunate typo, an unintentionally terse reply, or an angry response written in the heat of the moment, each of these potential personal and professional relationship damagers can be avoided simply by tagging on a few extra seconds to reread and reflect before pressing the “send” button.

So, the next time you’re tempted to ask someone to “Please go away,” remember, your online history never will.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, January 24, 2011 - 9:59:59

Thinking Small Can Help You Avoid Burning Out

In a recent post for the Harvard Business Review’s blog, The Conversation, Priscilla Claman discusses how ambitious and driven professionals can avoid an all too common career killer: burn-out. At the heart of her post is the idea that professionals can’t change their high-pressure managers, but they can change their own behaviors. And doing so can help them not only steer clear of burn-out syndrome, it can actually propel them forward to success.

Claman suggests employing the following five tactics, all of which are sound advice:

1. Notice when you are being recruited for an impossible assignment.
2. Take the time to prepare a plan.
3. Go over the plan with your boss.
4. Negotiate for the help and resources to get it done in a reasonable time frame.
5. Establish a mutual understanding. 

But, there’s one more we’d like to add and that’s “think small.”

A surefire way to burn out on a project is leap into it with a “go big or go home” mentality. Although many of us have gone through life subscribing to the very idea that thinking big is the key to success, the truth is, it’s ultimately self-defeating. When you try to attack a problem from all sides, it immediately becomes more challenging, more time consuming, and more mentally draining. And that can instigate an endless cycle of procrastination and anxiety.

But, when you think small, you can take a seemingly “impossible” assignment, and make it much more manageable. All you have to do is envision your project as a whole and then mentally dismantle it into smaller pieces, tasks that can be accomplished one at a time instead of all together. It sounds counterintuitive in our age of multi-tasking, but doing so can actually help you become more efficient and accurate and get the big jobs done faster. In fact, that’s exactly how marathon runner, Paula Radcliffe, tackles all 26.3 miles of each grueling race she runs. Instead of concentrating on the long journey, she focuses on each step. Each time she counts to 100 three times, she knows another mile has passed.

Plus, completing one small task at a time will give you the confidence boost and energy you need to power through the rest of the project, meaning instead of languishing at the starting line of your journey, you’ll make it to the finish with ease.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, January 23, 2011 - 10:09:59

The E.Q. Advantage

Since an excerpt of Amy Chua’s new book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, was released in the Wall Street Journal last week, there’s been a firestorm of controversy surrounding the assertion that her extreme parenting methods are the secret to her children’s success. And while parents around the country continue to debate the effectiveness of her tough-love approach, David Brooks makes a powerful side point in an Op-Ed for the New York Times this week. While Chua’s emphasis on her children’s academic achievement is well-intended, her attitude that social development is of lesser importance could be a real hindrance to their future success. Because, as research has found over and over, emotional intelligence is a far greater predictor of one’s future success than the more highly-valued I.Q.

Brooks writes:

Managing status rivalries, negotiating group dynamics, understanding social norms, navigating the distinction between self and group — these and other social tests impose cognitive demands that blow away any intense tutoring session or a class at Yale.

Yet mastering these arduous skills is at the very essence of achievement. Most people work in groups. We do this because groups are much more efficient at solving problems than individuals (swimmers are often motivated to have their best times as part of relay teams, not in individual events). Moreover, the performance of a group does not correlate well with the average I.Q. of the group or even with the I.Q.’s of the smartest members.

It’s an issue we raise in our book THE POWER OF NICE: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness and one Daniel Goleman discusses in his book, Emotional Intelligence. I.Q. only measures the way you solve problems when you’re alone, but it can’t measure the way you’ll negotiate a make-or-break deal, give feedback to an employee, or network in a group. Yet, all of these things and more are essential to success in the business world and beyond.

Harvard Business Review editor, Andrew O’Connell echoed this sentiment recently, in summarizing research he conducted on our evolving economy. “With the global economy rapidly turning into a service economy, emotional labor is becoming the predominant work that people do. There aren’t many jobs left that require zero emotional labor,” continuing, “Leaders have to display many more emotions than their employees. They have to be, at times, friendly, sympathetic, supportive, confident, optimistic, tough, and angry. And they have to use a great deal of judgment in determining which emotion to display and how to display it.”

Moving forward, emotional intelligence will play an increasingly important role in deciding who rises to the top of the corporate world and who gets left behind. And even though I.Q. still matters, E.Q. may provide the greatest advantage.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, January 21, 2011 - 9:55:43

Little Hug, Big Impact

Today happens to be National Hug Day and we can’t think of a better time to start taking advantage of that little act’s positive effects. You might not realize it, but, in fact, research has found that the simple act of hugging—even for just a few seconds—has a powerful impact not only on your health and well-being, but on the health of your personal relationships as well.  What’s more, the effects of that simple hug can extend beyond your personal life to aid you in your career.

A 2003 study out of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill found that hugging can drastically lower blood pressure and reduce stress by boosting the presence of the feel-good hormone oxytocin in the blood stream.

It seems that the effects of hugging are most powerful on women. As the study’s leader, Dr. Kathleen Light, explained to MSNBC, for women, “Getting more daily hugs from their husbands was related to higher oxytocin, and so the hugs were indirectly related to lower blood pressure,” she says.

But, that’s not the only benefit of hugging. Psychologist Karen Grewen, also of UNC-Chapel Hill, explained to USA Today that hugging before embarking on a difficult work day could promote relaxing, stress-lowering effects that “could carry over and protect you throughout the day.”

It’s just another example of how even a seemingly insignificant, almost reflexive action can have a powerful impact on your life and on the lives of others—and an excellent reminder to make sure you take advantage of an opportunity you could be overlooking. Simply by starting each morning with a hug—whether it’s your spouse, your child, a parent, or a friend—you could prime your mind for a better, more productive day, and while letting you share those same benefits with another at the very same time.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, January 17, 2011 - 2:09:42

The Power of “Thanks”

Recently we came across a great post from Harvard Business Review blogger, Whitney Johnson, in which she explains how managers can incent a positive change in the mood of their staff with just two little words: “thank you.” Johnson continues by issuing a challenge to her readers: “Every day for the next week, will you express appreciation to an employee or colleague for something they routinely do that makes your business run well?”

Well, it’s a challenge we’d like to take head on and propose to you as well.

How can you make the people who make your life—whether professional or personal—better every day feel appreciated? It’s as simple as acknowledging what they do for you and letting them know that it matters. You don’t have to make an over-the-top, grand gesture to make people feel valued. In fact, just by saying something as simple as, “Thank you so much for your hard work putting that document together. You’ve been an enormous help,” you can have a great impact.

And not just on that one person—on your organization as a whole. Thanks to the power of emotional contagion, the more valued (and consequently, happier) some of your employees feel, the better others will feel as well. This, in turn will boost their productivity and help them work smarter, as Daniel Goleman points out in his book, Primal Leadership.

In fact, that’s exactly what happened at Sullivan and Cromwell, one of the oldest and most respected law firms in the country. For years, they noticed that were routinely losing high value, first-year associates recruited from the top law schools. So, they conducted a survey to find out why they had such a high turnover rate year after year. What they found was a shock: it wasn’t because of the money, the hours, or the work. It was because the young lawyers didn’t feel respected by the partners. So they instituted a policy that was simple. Every partner was required to say “please” and “thank-you” whenever they made a request. In one year attrition was reversed…and Sullivan and Cromwell was voted the best law firm to work for by American Lawyer magazine.

Unfortunately in our busy world, we’re often in such a hurry that we forget to say “thank you” to the people who matter most to us. But, when we do, we miss out on a huge opportunity. So, make this the week that “thank you” re-enters your vocabulary, not just for the duration of the challenge, but for good.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, January 13, 2011 - 2:44:49

Read All About It! It’s National Letter Writing Week.

In our digital age, when popular blogs like TechCrunch ask if the phone call is dead, the idea of a handwritten, snail-mailed letter can seem like a relic of a bygone era. But, as we argue in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, they still possess an enormous value all their own. That’s why we were pleased to discover while perusing Operation NiCE today that it’s National Letter Writing Week…and though it’s halfway through, it’s certainly not too late to celebrate.

Obviously, with so many ways to communicate with one another these days, writing a letter isn’t typically the most efficient way to get your message across. But, if you want to plant a positive seed, it can be a great tool to help you do so.

Of course, we all know that it’s common courtesy to mail a thank-you note after an important job interview, but that’s not the only time that writing a little letter can help you make a big impression. In fact, it can help you strengthen your relationships throughout your professional and personal life.

So, if you’re looking for a bit of letter-writing inspiration to help you celebrate National Letter Writing Week, here are a few ideas to help you get started:

Say thank-you “just because.” A 2010 study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that feeling unappreciated was one of the top reasons employees were dissatisfied with their jobs. Leave an employee or coworker a note to let them know you appreciate their help on a recent project and encourage them to keep up the good work. You never know when two little words (“thank you”) could be exactly what they needed to read.

Be a pen pal. When you’re a kid, few things are as exciting as receiving something imprinted with your name in the mail. So, as a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, why not make your little loved one’s day by sending them a written “hello?”

Outline your goals. It might sound odd, but writing a letter to yourself—or your future self—can provide clarity in the present and help you better visualize your long-term goals. Think of it as a to-do list in letter-form. Once you’ve finished, you can seal it up and stash it in a safe place to review at a later date and then reexamine the steps you’ve been taking to achieve your objectives.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, January 07, 2011 - 10:10:14

A Golden Opportunity

Until a few days ago, when you heard the name, “Ted Williams,” chances are that you thought of the legendary Baseball Hall of Famer and Boston Red Sox left fielder of the same name. But, thanks to a truly inspiring story that’s captured the nation’s attention this week, today “Ted Williams” probably means just one thing: “the homeless man with the golden voice.”

Thanks to the overnight viral success of a one-minute YouTube clip produced by local Ohio newspaper the Columbus Dispatch, in which Williams briefly told his story and showcased his formidable talent, his life has changed dramatically. Now instead of a future of hardship, Williams is contemplating multiple job offers from organizations like NFL Films and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It’s just further proof that even our smallest actions can have a huge impact, in our own lives and in the lives of others. When Dispatch videographer Doral Chenoweth III—who in a strange twist of fate actually won his future wife’s heart on their first date by pulling a blanket from his car and giving it to a homeless man—drove down the Hudson Street ramp off Northbound I-71 last month, he thought he might have a good personal interest story on his hands. But, he never imagined that simply filming and posting a 60-second video would transform another person’s life entirely. Chenoweth tells CNN, “I never anticipated this. A week ago, he [Williams] was living in a tent behind a station in the middle of December, and now he’s being flown to New York and his video is everywhere.”

So, in addition to wishing Williams well, we’d like to let this touching story be a reminder to all of you to take notice of the little things—the people, things, and actions you might normally overlook—and recognize their power. Because, in truth, everyone you meet and everything you do matters. And if you don’t believe us, you might want to ask that man with the golden voice.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, January 06, 2011 - 9:55:14

Writing Your Digital Autobiography, One Update at a Time

image courtesy of Nicolas Nova

As more and more people around the world are living their lives on the World Wide Web as much as they do in the real world, a new consideration is coming to light. Now, instead of thinking about the concrete legacy you leave behind, you have to think about the virtual one as well. That’s the topic of a fascinating article in the New York Times Magazine this week—one that serves as a powerful example of how little things, even something as small and seemingly insignificant a social network update, can leave a large and lasting impact.

In fact, each online profile we create and each small interaction we have helps to shape a digital image of our real world selves and—as author Rob Walker explains—can serve as a personal history of sorts to the people we leave behind. But, in truth, it’s much more than that. Certainly, the prospect of one’ final Twitter update, blog post, or Facebook status carries with it a grim significance, but on the expanse of the Web landscape, each message we send out could also serve as our very fist words to someone else. What Walker describes as a memory vault for the people we may someday leave behind is the very same thing that serves as a virtual introduction to the people we have yet to meet.

And for that reason, there truly is no such thing as an insignificant post.  Each status update, photo upload, or note you write serves as a chapter in the story of your digital autobiography and one by one, those chapters link together to tell the story of who you are to both the people you know and love and the people who could play a role in your life in the future: from employers and coworkers to friends and neighbors. One by one, those tiny digital actions create impressions—either positive or negative.

It’s up to you to decide what story you’d like to tell.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, December 23, 2010 - 12:24:49

Multitasking Gets Taken to Task

As another year comes to a close, many of us are taking stock of our habits, looking carefully at the way we’re working, and asking ourselves… “Is this working?” If you go through each day feeling as though you’ll never dig yourself out from that mountain of to-do’s, you might find that the problem isn’t your job. It’s your approach. Although most jobs require employees to be “multitaskers” these days, the truth is, there’s nothing efficient about this seemingly productive approach. In fact, instead of maximizing your efficiency, it can actually hinder your efforts.

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we explain a proven alternative to multitasking that we use to tackle our busy schedules: mini-tasking.  Instead of working on multiple projects at once, you devote all of your attention to one small task at a time, checking each one off as you go along.

Although it sounds simple, this shift in thinking can revolutionize the way you get things done—and it can help you get them done faster. Why? Because when you multitask, everything becomes your top priority—and that means nothing is. When you try to give your attention to too many things at once, you drain your energy, lose your focus, and the quality of your work suffers. When you mini-task, it’s just the opposite. By giving individual items uninterrupted focus until they are complete, you better ensure that they will be well-done, accurate, and error free.

And we’re not the only ones who believe the rampant practice of multitasking needs to be taken to task. As Paul Atchley, Ph.D., an associate professor of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Kansas writes on the Harvard Business Review blog this week:

Based on over a half-century of cognitive science and more recent studies on multitasking, we know that multitaskers do less and miss information. It takes time (an average of 15 minutes) to re-orient to a primary task after a distraction such as an email. Efficiency can drop by as much as 40%. Long-term memory suffers and creativity — a skill associated with keeping in mind multiple, less common, associations — is reduced.

We have a brain with billions of neurons and many trillion of connections, but we seem incapable of doing multiple things at the same time. Sadly, multitasking does not exist, at least not as we think about it. We instead switch tasks. Our brain chooses which information to process. For example, if you listen to speech, your visual cortex becomes less active, so when you talk on the phone to a client and work on your computer at the same time, you literally hear less of what the client is saying.

So, as we enter a new year, let go of multitasking once and for all and make 2011 the year you start thinking SMALL. When you make mini-tasking a routine, you just may discover BIG things in your future.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, December 19, 2010 - 7:44:58

The Thought that Counts

During the holidays, most of us give presents to people who play different roles throughout our professional and personal lives, from family members, friends, and loved ones to teachers, employees, coworkers, and clients. Yet, despite their differences, there’s a fundamental reason driving our impulse to give: gratitude. Gifts, no matter how large or small they may be, help us to tell others in a simple way that they matter to us.

But, it’s something you don’t have to wait until the end of each year to do. In fact, you can show your appreciation all year long through even your smallest acts of kindness. It’s not about lavishing others with material gifts; it’s about acknowledging the importance of others and saying “Yes, I see you.”

It may seem insignificant, but in truth, recognizing others on a daily basis can play a powerful role in helping you strengthen your relationships and enhance your life.

Here are just a few SMALL ways to help you get started, now and long after the holiday season is over.

Lend an Ear. In our 24/7, wireless world, it’s noisier than ever, making “getting heard” sometimes feel like an impossible task. And that’s why simply listening intently when someone else is speaking to you can have a profound impact.

Hit “Reply.”  We have an important rule here at the Kaplan Thaler Group: never let an email go unanswered. Even if it’s as simple as sending out a confirmation that you’ve received a document, always make an effort to acknowledge the sender.

Say Thank You. Those two little words are some of the most powerful, yet underutilized words in the English language—and if you’re not saying them enough, you could be missing out on a huge chance to make a positive impression on the people you encounter every day. Although it takes just seconds to utter, simply saying “thanks” can make another person feel valued while failing to do so can leave them feeling invisible.

So, as we look toward a new year, resolve to make the gift of gratitude not just a seasonal thing, but an everyday habit.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, December 19, 2010 - 7:37:15

Tantrum-Throwing Adults Need a Time Out

If you’ve ever vied for a parking space during the month of December, chances are you’re well aware that temper tantrums persist long after the “terrible two’s” have passed. As Elizabeth Bernstein, writes in her Wall Street Journal column this week, adult “temper tantrums,” are an all too common occurrence, particularly during the holiday rush. But, if keeping your emotions in check is a struggle for you, there’s a simple solution that sounds like it’s just for kids. What you really need to do is take a time out.

As Bernstein explains, “When we get angry, the emotional center of the brain has a much greater influence than the part that governs conscious thinking. And some experts believe that the angrier we become, the less aware we may be of it.” Therefore, when you find yourself in a situation where you might normally lose your cool, it’s essential to be mindful of your emotions from the start—and give yourself a minute to step away, breathe, and calm down before you reach your boiling point in front of others.

Of course, that doesn’t mean if something truly upsets you that you shouldn’t voice your opinion. In fact, nothing could be further from our NICE philosophy. But, expressing frustration, anger, or disappointment while under the dizzying influence of your emotions can be dangerous—not to mention hurtful and unproductive.

But, what if you’re on the other side of an uncomfortable grown-up hissy fit?  A freely given apology is always a good defense, but staying calm is equally important—and as strange as it might seem, one way to do so is to smile empathetically. Numerous studies have shown that even a faked smile can have a calming, mood-boosting effect on your brain, whereas a frown can actually cause you to perceive an event as worse than it is. And thanks to two human behavioral traits, emotional contagion and mimicry, your smile may be disarming to others, too.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, December 12, 2010 - 11:30:15

Little Rituals are No Small Thing

Whether it’s that first cup of coffee at your desk, a weekly status meeting, or an annual review, the daily office routine is filled with ritual, even if you don’t realize it. As the Harvard Business Review’s Peter Bregman writes this week on his blog, each of these daily rituals has a powerful impact no matter how small—and taking the time to recognize their importance can help you maintain your focus and heighten your productivity.

Bregman explains:

Each time we pause, notice, and offer respect for an activity, it reminds us to appreciate and focus on what we’re about to do. And by elevating each activity, we’ll take it more seriously. We’ll get more pleasure from it. The people with whom we work will feel more respected. And we’ll feel more self-respect.

In our time-starved society, we all try to pack as much as possible into every moment of the day. But, in truth, everyone has the time to give themselves a minute to pause and be in the moment—especially when doing so can actually help you get things done faster in the long run.

And that’s what the POWER OF SMALL is really all about: honing in on the little things in order to make the big things better. It might seem unnecessary to stop and take notice of your small actions, but each of them plays a part into contributing to something much larger. When you give yourself a minute, you not only allow your mind a moment to recharge, you grow more aware of everything around you and become more perceptive. This, in turn, can help you recognize tiny details you might have otherwise overlooked, opening your eyes not only to little mistakes but to tiny grains of breakthrough ideas.

So, don’t just sweat the small stuff. As Peter Bregman advises, stop and celebrate it. It might be little, but its potential is limitless.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, December 11, 2010 - 11:15:15

Creative Problem Solving is a Laughing Matter

What if we told you that the best way to prime your mind to solve a serious problem was to ham it up? It sounds counterintuitive, but laughing at a few good jokes can actually be an essential step in helping you to tackle complex issues. In fact, that’s just what scientists have discovered after conducting extensive research at Northwestern University.

According to a recent New York Times piece, researchers at Northwestern found that participants who were in an amused state, having just laughed at a joke, had significantly greater ease at solving mental puzzles. And, more importantly, instead of working by trial and error, they were vastly more likely to have an “A-ha!” moment of inspiration.

In other words, laughing and elevated mood are integral to creative problem solving.

Dr. Adam Anderson, a Toronto-based psychologist who has also studied the effects of mood on problem solving explains, “The implication is that positive mood engages this broad, diffuse attentional state that is both perceptual and visual. You’re not only thinking more broadly, you’re literally seeing more. The two systems are working in parallel.”

At the Kaplan Thaler Group, we don’t need to filter through pages of academic research to tell you that this theory holds up. It’s exactly how we’ve been generating Bang! ideas since day one.

While we certainly take our clients’ problems seriously, we’ve found that the secret to coming up with the most disruptive, creative, and attention-grabbing ideas is to begin each brainstorming session with a little light-hearted banter. We crack jokes, tell funny stories, and have each other in stitches before we get down to business. And not only does it help us collaborate as a team, it really gets those creative juices flowing.

So if you’re facing a daunting challenge, don’t let it intimidate you; laugh in its face. It might seem like a small thing, but it could be just what you need for a huge spark of inspiration.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, December 02, 2010 - 10:18:35

Writing Off the Gender Gap

A few years ago, our agency was working on a campaign for the Girl Scouts of America to help promote math and science to girls in their “tweens,” when we made a striking discovery. After conducting numerous focus groups, we just couldn’t find a clear answer as to why girls’ interest in math and science dropped off so dramatically once they entered middle school.

Then, after another exhausting day of interviewing parents, we overheard one casual comment that changed everything. As she was leaving, one mother said to her daughter, “I’d record that science special on television for you, but Dad’s out of town, so, I can’t do it. You know, I’m not really good with all that tech-y stuff,” continuing, “I think it’s a girl thing.” And, suddenly, the light bulb went on. Maybe those innocent, little comments we all make about our dislike of math and science were affecting our daughters, no matter how supportive we were being.

It was a profound event that helped to shape a wonderful campaign and strengthen our belief that SMALL can be a make or break factor in your life—especially when it comes to education. Then this week, we came across an article with more dramatic findings about the role of SMALL in the education of women. University of Colorado professor Akira Miyake found that merely having students complete a 15-minute writing exercise twice at the beginning of the semester virtually eliminated the gender gap between young male and female physics students.

What might surprise you is that the writing exercise had nothing to do with physics at all—or science, for that matter. The students were simply asked to think about the things that mattered to them, then select two or three, and write a few sentences describing why each of them was important.

As Discovery Magazine explains, the exercise was intended to help the students affirm their self-worth, and for groups suffering long-held negative stereotypes—like women in the field of science—it truly can make all the difference. Because there is a pervasive—albeit inaccurate—belief that men are innately better at math and science, it creates what is known as a “stereotype threat,” which causes many women to experience anxiety and consequently, hurts their performance. This, in turn creates a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. But, as Miyake’s and numerous other studies have found, the 15-minute “values” writing exercise can help fend off the threat’s potentially devastating effects.

It’s just another example of how big problems don’t always demand big solutions. In fact, sometimes, the answer could be “write” under your nose.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, November 29, 2010 - 11:04:05

A Surprising Reason to be Thankful

We all know that it feels good to give back, but did you know that being thankful for what you have is equally beneficial to your emotional wellbeing? What’s more, it’s actually good for your health.

In an article for the Wall Street Journal, Melinda Beck reports:

Adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, more optimism, more social connections and more happiness than those who do not […] They’re also less likely to be depressed, envious, greedy or alcoholics. They earn more money, sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly and have greater resistance to viral infections.

And new research reveals that gratitude’s positive effects aren’t limited to adults. Studies indicate that grateful kids and teens are happier, have more friends, and do better in school.

If that’s not reason enough to be thankful, we don’t know what is.

Of course, during the Thanksgiving season, the concept of gratitude is top of mind. But, what about the other 364 days of the year, when the Thanksgiving glow dims, the holiday madness begins, and the busy hum of daily life starts to drown everything else out? If it’s an afterthought, you could be missing out on a big opportunity. Expressing your thanks or even simply feeling thankful is a profoundly simple way to enhance your life in every way, from improving your health to strengthening your personal and professional relationships with others. We often overlook the value of a little “thank-you,” but in truth, its benefits are as diverse as they are far reaching. And best of all, it’s one of the easiest ways you can start making the POWER OF SMALL work for you.

So, if you’re looking to make a change, let today be your first step and challenge yourself to be more grateful all year long. As you learn to appreciate the little things each day, you’ll notice there’s a whole lot more to be thankful for.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, November 22, 2010 - 9:54:34

A Bright Idea

When you think about light, you might think of the morning’s earliest rays or the warm summer sun, but the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t mood. That could be about to change. As it turns out, light can have a profound effect on your mental state, but not all kinds of light are created equally. Although light comes in a number of colors—including green, white, and red—only blue light can have truly transformative effects on your emotional well-being.

Why? Scientists believe that the reason dates back to the time of our earliest ancestors. As neurologist George Brainard told CNN in October of this year, “For thousands upon thousands of generations we were hunter-gatherers, out in the daylight and exposed to that blue sky.” But, as we have become a primarily “indoor” species, our exposure to natural light stimulus has been reduced dramatically—especially during seasons when blue light is less prevalent, primarily in the winter months.

Psychologists have utilized the power of blue light therapy to treat the symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder for years, and as science continues to study its effects, many wonder if blue light could be used in other ways, spawning a “lighting revolution.”

As modern electric lighting developed, most light bulbs cast a yellow glow, to which the eye became accustomed and eventually began to prefer. But, although it may be preferable from an aesthetic standpoint, it may not be the healthiest light. As CNN reports, a number of studies have found that blue light isn’t only beneficial for those suffering from serious ailments, it can help people “feel better, perform better, and sleep better.” In other words:  it sounds almost unbelievable, but one key to greatly enhancing the lives of people around the world could be as simple as seeing things in a new (blue) light.

Now, that’s the POWER OFSMALL.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, November 20, 2010 - 10:47:58

Breaking the Habit

Earlier this week, we shared a Fast Company article with our Twitter fans that really struck a chord. In an adaptation from his new book Future Files: How the Digital Age Is Changing Our Minds, Why This Matters and What We Can Do About It, Richard Watson discusses how professionals’ growing dependency on digital devices and constant connection—a condition he calls “connectivity addiction”—may be wreaking havoc on productivity and decision-making.

Ironically, the very devices intended to make business people stronger can—in some cases—be their Achilles heel. Certainly, we’re not going to give up our Blackberries and iPads any time soon—and don’t advocate that you do either. But, making a few SMALL changes can help you counteract the plugged-in lifestyle’s less-desirable effects and work smarter (even without your smart phone in hand.)
Studies have shown that merely anticipating incoming messages to your email inbox can cause a substantial drain on your mental energy. And Watson’s research shows that the flood of communication that results from being constantly connected can actually impair your analytical reasoning and decision-making skills as well.

Naturally, we’re all looking for ways to make the most of every minute we spend at work and by and large, today’s advancements in technology help us do just that. But, quite counterintitively, sometimes the best way to maximize your efficiency is to go “off the grid.”

Here are a few ideas to help you get started—and in the process hone your focus, rest your mind, and use your energy in the best way possible:

Schedule a “POWER Hour”:  With emails to answer, tweets to send, and Facebook updates to post, completing everything else on your agenda can feel like a constant struggle. Instead of giving into the pressure to respond to everything immediately, schedule chunks of time—what we like to call a “POWER hour”—throughout the day, during which you take care of nothing but correspondence. Then, when the allotted time is over, turn your attention to something else.

Diversify your Communication Efforts: Instead of relying solely on digital methods like email and text, go “analog” every day and incorporate both face-to-face and phone calls into the mix. Not only will this encourage others to do the same, the social interaction will reenergize your brain.

Get the “Write” Stuff: To get your brain thinking in a new way, sometimes all you need to do is switch your surface. Instead of working on your laptop, when you hit a brick wall, try pulling out an old-fashioned notebook and write things down by hand for a few minutes. When you go back to the computer, your mind will feel refreshed.

Put your Blackberry to Bed: As Watson revealed, many professionals take their Blackberries, iPhones, and other productivity devices to bed with them. But, studies have shown that the light from a glowing screen can have a serious effect on your sleep…and that can have a dramatic impact on the way you work. So, put your phone or laptop to “bed” one hour before you plan to go to sleep. Stash it in your purse or briefcase, so you won’t be tempted to peek.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, November 14, 2010 - 10:21:09

“I’ve Got a Good Feeling About This…”

Perhaps you’ve seen this viral video from Wheel of Fortune, depicting an event some have described as “miraculous.” Well, it might not fit the definition of a miracle, but it’s definitely amazing.
In the clip, a contestant on the long-running game show solves a daunting puzzle with only one letter on the board. And the answer? “I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

As a recent blog post from Esquire Magazine explains, however, the contestant, Caitlin Burke’s, ability to solve the puzzle wasn’t based solely on a “good feeling.” As she later revealed, it’s because she has the distinct ability to “think small.” She’s what you might call an “eliminator.”

Burke has honed this skill since her childhood days, breaking the puzzles down to the bare essentials, looking for tiny clues, and then building up the words bit by bit. And with years of practice, now all the 26 year-old needs is one letter to get the job done.

It’s certainly an interesting skill to have, but you’re probably wondering how it could help you, unless of course you happen to score a spot on stage with Pat Sajak and Vanna White. The good news is Burke’s small-thinking approach is ideal for much more than winning big on game shows. It can help you solve problems to help you win big at work, too. In fact, it’s been integral to our success in building the Kaplan Thaler Group from a tiny start up to a billion dollar agency in less than a decade.

Being an “eliminator” is all about pairing a problem down to its essential elements and developing a sequence of small solutions to get the job done. It’s meticulous, yes, but it in no way means getting caught up in the tiny details. Instead, it trains your brain to think faster, automatically look for small clues, and innovate with ease.

Click here to read more about “thinking small.”

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, November 13, 2010 - 10:24:11

Give Your Self A Minute…Or 60.

If you’ve been feeling like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to complete all of your pressing tasks, you’re not alone. For many, the daily to-do list seems to grow by the minute. But, as Ron Ashkenas writes in a recent post for the Harvard Business Review—and we discuss in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference—frequently, there really is enough time to get things done. The real problem isn’t how much time you have; it’s how you use it.

Sure, we all know about the classic time wasters, but have you ever considered the more innocuous behaviors that could actually be eating away at hours that could be better spent elsewhere? Once you carefully evaluate your calendar and working habits, you may be surprised what you discover.

According to Ashkenas:

The reality is that we all have “extra” hours available, without having to turn back the clock […]we all know that those hidden hours exist, buried in unnecessary meetings, inefficient work processes, interruptions, false starts, PowerPoint perfection, misplaced files, and a host of other time-wasters. We may assume that these patterns are part of the normal rhythm of imperfect organizational life — but unconsciously (and sometimes consciously) we know that these inefficiencies give us a cushion in case we have to suddenly step up the pace.

Once you take a close look at your office M.O., you may see the opportunity for change, but be stumped for a solution. So, here are a few of our suggestions:

Have the second meeting first: Admit it, as business people, we all love meetings. They foster collaboration and encourage communication. But, sometimes, they can also seem pointless. Luckily, there’s an easy way to avoid this. Instead of holding a meeting to plan your next meeting, discuss those goals and then immediately have your “second” meeting then and there. Not only will it save you time, the spontaneity will force people to improvise, and thus, be more creative.

Mini-task: Trying to plow through one enormous task at a time isn’t only exhausting, it’s inefficient. Whatever your goal, break it down into manageable chunks and then complete them one at a time.  Not only will the process be energizing, it will be much more productive.

Clear the clutter: If “If I could only remember where I put it…” is a common refrain in your office, you’re probably spending more time than you realize simply looking for misplaced materials. But a cluttered work space doesn’t just suck up your time, it also drains your energy. So, take 5 minutes before you leave each evening to straighten things up. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.

Unplug: Studies have shown that merely anticipating email can actually reduce your productivity, so make an effort to go “off the grid” for thirty minutes each day. Without the distraction of incoming messages, you’ll find that you can pack much more into a half hour time span.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, November 06, 2010 - 10:07:03

Too Daunted By Your “To-Do” List?

Ever had one of those weeks when your to-do list is so long that just looking at it makes you weak in the knees?

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we outlined a strategy called mini-tasking that can help you take your list from “to-do” to “done” with ease.  And earlier this week, we came across an ingenious-yet-simple SMALL change from Mark McGuiness that can help you make mini-tasking even easier. All you have to do is switch your writing surface: swap your note pad for a sticky note.

The premise of McGuiness’ idea is that an overly long to-do list can be self defeating. But, if you make it smaller you can get more accomplished. And because you have to limit your list to a little space, it will help you streamline your thinking.

When mini-tasking, it’s important to break down your big task into a series of smaller, easily completed steps. Using one sticky note per big task, you can begin to delineate each sub-task and as you might discover, you could soon run out of room. This is the perfect opportunity to put your SMALL problem solving skills to work. Ask yourself: “Is there a way I can take three mini-tasks and make them two? Are there two that I can simplify into one?”

Although it may be challenging at first, with practice, it will train your brain to think SMALL in the most efficient way possible. As an added bonus, because you have to think critically, it will make even the dullest task instantly more interesting.  And that means you’ll no longer fear your to-do list. You’ll gladly take it on.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, November 04, 2010 - 1:35:21

A Gentle Reminder

This year, the New York Times reports, political marketers are spending more money than ever on ads for a variety of candidates embroiled in hotly-contested races. And while the efficacy of many of these campaigns remains unchallenged, we came across a bit of information that could not only be of use to marketers; it’s a profound example of how little things truly do make all the difference.

According to an article in this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine, Todd Rogers, a Harvard Business School graduate and newly-appointed director of scientifically-based political research organization, the Analyst Group, was seeking out new ways to influence voters when he scripted a phone call in which the caller would ask three simple questions. Instead of imploring people to vote or delivering a stern message, callers simply asked: 

“Around what time will you expect to head to the polls on Tuesday?”

“Where do you expect you will be coming from when you head to the polls on Tuesday?”

“What do you think you will be doing before you head out to the polls?”

In other words, the call assumed that the listener was planning on voting, although it didn’t care what the responses might be. But, why?

Rogers was operating on a psychological concept known as “implementation intentions,” which theorizes that people are more likely to take an action after they have visualized it. Because the questions assumed the listener was already planning to vote, each one forced him or her to imagine the possible scenario, thus planting an image in his or her mind.
The results were fascinating. Simply asking people about their voting plans increased their turnout at the polls by 4 percent overall—and for single people the percentage was more than double that.

Now, that’s what we call the power of SMALL! Your tiniest actions—even something as seemingly insignificant as asking a question—have the power to accomplish big things every day. And sometimes, they can even help to change the world.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, November 01, 2010 - 9:10:49

How to Switch from Big Picture to SMALL Thinking

Recently, we came across a great piece by Harvard Business Blogger and internet entrepreneur Michael Fertik on “Seven Keys to Switching from a Big Company to a Small One,” which offers up a number of important behavioral shifts essential for success in two markedly different workplace cultures. And it got us thinking about another potentially difficult big-to-small change: the move from thinking BIG to thinking SMALL.

Throughout our lives, most of us have been raised on a “bigger is better” philosophy that includes everything from the way we live to the way we formulate ideas. But, as is so often the case, just because something is “conventional wisdom” doesn’t mean it’s wise. And that’s why it’s important to sweat the small stuff.
So, how do you make the move from “big picture” to SMALL pixels? Try these little tips:

Shrink your problems: The best way to start thinking SMALL right away is to take a problem,—any problem—and reduce it to its simplest elements. By paring what may seem like a complex issue down to its bare essentials, you may discover that the root cause isn’t so big after all.

Streamline you approach: A key element of small thinking is to remove the complexity from problem solving, which can help you speed up decision making. If something normally takes three steps, ask yourself, “What small change can I make to bring it down to two?”

Be four again: Don’t be afraid to ask questions—even if you’re just asking them to yourself. Get curious and ask “why?” It can help you discover magic in even the tiniest grain of an idea.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, October 31, 2010 - 9:06:48

Little Word, Big Controversy

“Dude.”

It’s not exactly the kind of four-letter word you would expect to cause controversy in the entertainment world. But, that’s exactly the word that’s landed late-night comic John Stewart in hot water, but not with the FCC…with the general public. So, why all the fuss? Well, “dude” isn’t normally a term used when addressing the President of the United States. In fact—at least on camera—it’s never happened before.

The little utterance, part of a half-comedic, half-serious exchange between the president and the TV host of Comedy Central’s satirical news program, The Daily Show, has been called everything from “outrageous,” to “disrespectful,” to “no big deal.” But, no matter what your opinion of the on-air incident, one thing is certain: even the littlest word can have a big impact.

If you think it’s an isolated occurrence, think again. As Robert B. Cialdini discusses in his book INFLUENCE: The Psychology of Persuasion, the little words we choose can have a profound effect on the way others perceive our messages—and one word can mean the difference between making a great impression and falling flat.

But, you can harness the power of your words simply by being mindful of what you say and considering how it might affect others. At first thought, it might seem unnecessary. But, as John Stewart can tell you, everything you say matters. So watch your tongue!

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, October 23, 2010 - 10:06:06

One Small Change Could Save Your Life

We’ve all heard the old saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and many people mistakenly assume that because the so-called “little things” are small, they’re insignificant by default. But, as a Today Show report earlier this week showed, little details can have a dramatic impact. In fact, they could cause your whole world to come crashing down—literally.

As this stunning video demonstrates, even a seemingly irrelevant detail—in this case, whether a home’s front door opens inward or outward—can have outsize consequences. In the clip, we see how making a few small changes, most notably hinging the door to open inward, can mean the difference between collapsing under the pressure of high winds and standing tall with minimal damage.

It’s a particularly powerful testament to the multitude of ways in which SMALL works every day. Certainly, not every little detail has life-altering consequences, but each one truly does matter. The little things we do and say each moment build upon one another to influence the courses our lives take, and some of them can wreak havoc all on their own.

But, they don’t have to. Starting today, you can harness the power of SMALL and use it to your advantage. By sweating, instead of disregarding, the small stuff, you can discover SMALL’s endless possibilities all for yourself and put it to work for you throughout your life. After all, little things can spell disaster, but when you learn just how to use them, you’ll also find there’s magic in the SMALL.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, October 22, 2010 - 10:08:19

Could a Smarter Lunchroom Lead to Healthier Kids?

If you’re a parent, you already know how tough it can be to get picky eaters to choose healthier foods. And school administrators around the country understand, too. But, earlier today, we came across a fascinating opinion piece in the New York Times that theorizes making one little change to school cafeterias nationwide could have a monumental impact on an entire generation of kids. The idea? Move the salad bar closer to the cash register.

If you’re feeling skeptical, consider authors Brian Wansink, David R. Just, and Joe McKendry’s argument: by reorienting the normally isolated salad bar, placing it next to the cash register—where all students eventually end up—kids will be gently “nudged” to make better choices instead of being forced. They’ll still be able to make their own selections. But, in the new plan, the healthier one will just happen to be the one right under their noses. And it’s already working in test schools; they’ve seen salad sales triple.

But, the authors didn’t stop there. Instead of arguing for expensive overhauls to already-strapped schools’ meal plans, they offered a number of small, but powerful (and proven) solutions. For example, research conducted at primary, middle, and high schools throughout the U.S. has found that making simple changes like changing the name, but not the recipe, of a healthy menu item—“corn” to “creamy corn” for example—increased student consumption by 27 percent. Placing vegetables at the front of the lunch line upped student intake by 10-15 percent and putting fruit in more visually-appealing bowls instead of stainless steel bins doubled their sales.

Now that’s what we call the POWER OF SMALL!

Throughout life, but particularly when facing big problems, we often think you have to have a big solution. To solve the problem of getting kids to make smarter food choices at school, the natural inclination might be to redesign the system completely, forbid unhealthy foods entirely, and feed kids a diet of “escarole and tofu,” as the authors explained. But, the truth is, such dramatic solutions are inevitably doomed at the start. They’re overwhelming and difficult to accomplish. Moreover, because they are so dramatic, they leave people feeling shell shocked in their wake

Thinking SMALL, on the other hand, doesn’t just make getting things done simpler. It makes changes seamless. And when it comes to kids, this is particularly important.
So, no matter what your challenge may be, now is the time to get SMALL and get going. With just one little change, you could make your live—or the lives of others—infinitely better.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, October 18, 2010 - 9:34:30

Sleep Smarter

Think missing those extra thirty minutes of sleep isn’t hurting you? You might be surprised. As Dr. James B. Maas, a world-renowned sleep expert, explained in a recent lecture, getting those seemingly insignificant few minutes of sleep can be vital to your success.

In one remarkable example, Dr. Maas recounted how he helped revolutionize the productivity of students at Deerfield Academy, a co-ed boarding school in Massachusetts, by making one simple change. He didn’t redesign the curriculum or hire a new staff. All he did was move the school’s class start time from 7:55 to 8:30 a.m., and make “lights out” thirty minutes earlier. The results were astounding.

As Deerfield Academy administrators told the Cornell Daily Sun in 2009:

• Unexcused absences were drastically reduced.
• Students achieved record increases in overall grade point averages.
• Healthcare center visits were reduced by 20 percent (during a particularly harsh flu season).
• Teachers reported livelier discussions and more attentive students.

But, the benefits of sleep extend far beyond your teenage years. Time and time again, research has found that sleep plays an important role in your overall health. One study found that men and women who slept less than the recommended seven and a half to eight hours were three times more likely to get sick. Another found that—because the brain uses up a full 20% of the body’s calories—getting enough sleep is essential to helping you maintain a healthy weight.

And of course, we all know first-hand how a good night’s sleep can help your mental clarity, focus, and on-the-job performance. But, with today’s hectic lifestyle, getting to bed early can seem like a chore—not to mention, an impossible task. So, how do you do it? Try a trick we often use: each night, go to bed just five minutes earlier than the last. Within just two weeks, you will have easily reset your clock to adjust to your new bedtime routine, while unconsciously changing your schedule to work within the new timeframe.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, October 17, 2010 - 9:28:44

A Human Touch Can Be Just What the Doctor Ordered

There’s no denying that today’s technological advancements in the medical field have helped to save countless lives. But, as the New York Times reports, one doctor is making a concentrated effort to go low-tech and resuscitate what he calls a “dying art:” the physical evaluation.  It’s not just because the human eye can sometimes detect nuances unnoticed by technology. It’s because when doctors add a human touch, it makes patients feel decidedly more taken care of. And that’s a small thing that can’t be overvalued.

Dr. Abraham Verghese, senior associate chairman for the theory and practice of medicine at Stanford University, explains to Denise Grady of the New York Times, “A proper exam also earns trust and serves as a ritual that transforms two strangers into doctor and patient.” And it got us thinking about the power adding personal touch can bring to your business interactions, particularly in today’s wired world of emails and text messages.

Although we often underestimate them, more personal actions—like picking up the telephone instead of sending an email to a client or stopping by a colleague’s desk instead of Skyping him with a question—play an important role in cementing relationships and making positive connections with others. Not to mention make you more memorable.

Think about it: when most of us spend much of our day swimming in a sea of emails, who wouldn’t appreciate a quick visit from a coworker who wanted to chat in person? It sounds counter-intuitive, but oftentimes, these quick face-to-face (or even voice-to-voice) interactions are more productive than a chain of emails. And perhaps even more importantly in today’s competitive business climate, they let everyone from coworkers, to higher-ups and clients know that you’re listening—and, as we’ve found time and time again, that can be priceless.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, October 09, 2010 - 11:12:47

There’s No Such Thing as “Fashionably Late”

If you’ve been on the receiving end of an “I’m running late” text message more frequently over the past few years, you’re not alone. In her Wall Street Journal column this week, Elizabeth Bernstein writes that the nation is in the midst of a lateness epidemic—and this is cause for real concern. Tardiness may be the new trend, but we can assure you, there’s nothing fashionable about being late. Although it might seem insignificant, the simple act of arriving on time can play a powerful role in helping you plant positive seeds in your personal and professional life—while being dependably late can become a real problem.

If you’ve ever hosted a dinner party, you know what it’s like to silently hope that everyone arrives a little later than scheduled, as you rush around to take care of last minute details. But, most of the time, that’s simply not the case. After all, in today’s time-starved society, those extra minutes come at a premium. So, it’s important you value the time of others, not just your own.
While an occasional bout of tardiness is understandable, being chronically late can have a real negative impact on your relationships with others. Why? If you’ve ever been the victim of someone else’s serial lateness, we don’t have to tell you. But, if you’re a repeat offender, you probably don’t realize that what seems like an insignificant little behavior to you silently delivers one very big—and hurtful—message to everyone else: “You don’t matter.”

Unfortunately, habitual lateness is a tough habit to break because it’s an unconscious routine. But, by getting down to the root problem—unrealistic planning—you can help yourself get on time in no time. All you have to do is adjust your thinking. Instead of planning to arrive at the agreed time, revise your schedule so that you would arrive 15 minutes early. This will provide you with a buffer for any unexpected occurrences like an urgent email, an emergency dog walk, or a surprise phone call. That means your friends won’t have to plan for your unexpected lateness—and you can start off on the right note, instead of with a hurried apology.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, October 08, 2010 - 11:00:11

Have the Second Meeting First

If you’re like most business people, chances are you have a love/hate relationship with meetings. You complain about them, dread the potential for the endless conversation loop, and have devised numerous tricks to keep from falling asleep on those days when a triple-shot latte just isn’t doing the trick. But deep down inside, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t help it: you love meetings. Or, so Ron Ashkenas says in his recent Harvard Business Review Blog post “Why We Secretly Love Meetings.”

It’s true; as much as we all tend to complain about bad meetings, the good ones are the perfect format for exchanging ideas, encouraging real world (instead of virtual) social interaction, and teamwork. People talk, people listen, and real work gets accomplished. Yet figuring out how to transform your meeting style from dull to dynamic can seem tricky. Luckily, all you really have to do is make a SMALL change: have the second meeting first.

We know what you’re thinking. That advice sounds nonsensical—and it’s certainly counter-intuitive—but, having the second meeting first is a great way to make sure you focus your attention where it’s needed, without getting sidetracked by other issues.

Think about it: how many hours have you spent in meetings that were about planning for the next meeting? Of course, on occasion, and depending on your line of work, this may be necessary. But, most of the time, everyone is simply trying to think of the quickest escape route. And that means nothing will happen then and there. So, instead of rallying the troops for the “first” meeting, giving them a task, and sending them on their merry way only to reconvene in a few days, why not anticipate the second meeting and start from there? After all, in today’s time-scares and financially pressured world, having the second meeting first is a way to not only be more productive ... it also saves money.

For example, let’s say we’ve just reviewed a script and come to the conclusion that it really needs a funny ending. Rather than sending everyone off to their offices to work separately and present their ideas in the next meeting, we stay in the conference room and have the “second” meeting immediately by brainstorming creative ideas until we find an ending that has everyone in the room doubled over with laughter. Not only does it make the process more efficient, the collaboration makes the work more fun and the creative more impactful.

If you’re an attendee, you can do your part, too. Rather than simply coming to gather information, come to a meeting with something to contribute. Be the person who brings something into the room that prompts an “I’m so glad you thought of that” or “Thanks for being one step ahead.”  Not only will your preparatioin help your whole team excel, it will let you shine your brightest—and in the very best light.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, October 03, 2010 - 3:22:38

Look Smart

With tight deadlines, busy schedules, and hectic commutes, what you wear to work can sometimes seem like a trivial detail. But, as BNet’s Steve Tobak writes, that’s not quite the case. In truth, something as simple as wrinkled shirt can have an outsize impact on the way others perceive you. And that’s why—no matter what your dress code or fashion sense—it’s important to sweat the sartorial small stuff and put your best foot forward.

The truth is that as highly visual creatures, we all pull information from other people’s appearances and base decisions upon them, despite the old adage that you can’t judge a book by its cover. (Why else do you think brands spend so much time and money on product packaging?) So, assuming that what you wear is the packaging for your personal brand, wouldn’t you want it to reflect you in your best light?

But, putting effort into your professional look isn’t just about what others think. More importantly, it’s about how it makes you feel. When you know you look your best, you become more confident and self-assured. And that can have a far greater effect on the way other see you… and even have a dramatic impact on your career.

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we tell the story of a shy computer programmer named Larry (you can read the full chapter here), who set off a powerful chain reaction of small steps with one surprising move: he got a great haircut. That haircut inspired a few new outfits, which led to a new attitude, and so on. The better he felt about himself, the more confident he grew and it wasn’t long before others took notice. As others perception of Larry began to change from “computer nerd” to an all-around nice guy, he befriended more people around the office. And when a new position in sales opened up, he was finally able to make his dream of transitioning careers a reality.

So before you head off to work tomorrow, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Is this the ‘me’ I want others to see?” With just one small change, you could make a real difference.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, October 01, 2010 - 3:18:38

Achieve Your Big Goals, Starting with These Small Changes

When we wrote our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we set out to change the mindset that in order to achieve big, you have to think big. Turning conventional wisdom on its ear, we explained that the long-championed big-thinking mentality isn’t integral to success—in fact it’s often an impediment.
The problem with thinking big is that it’s overwhelming. When you imagine a goal in its entirety, it’s exhausting. And as a result, many people feel defeated before they even begin. That’s why “thinking SMALL” has been our secret to success. When you hone in the little things and harness the power that each of them possesses, you gain energy, confidence, and support one small step at a time. And that’s what yields the biggest results.

But, switching your mindset from BIG dreaming, to SMALL thinking can be a difficult adjustment at first. So, in keeping with our SMALL philosophy, we’ve compiled a list of a few tiny changes you can start making today to make SMALL your new way of life.

Shrink it down to size. In order to really wrap your brain around a big problem or goal, it’s best to break it into more manageable tasks. So, instead of thinking about it as one all-encompassing issue, think of it as an amalgam of smaller problems or goals that can be solved or achieved one by one.

Regress a little. At our office, we have a trick we use when trying to come up with new ideas: think like a four year-old. Instead of trying to get groundbreaking answers out of big, important-sounding questions, don’t be afraid to ask small or silly-sounding ones like “Why?” and “Why not?” Often times, they can offer the greatest clarity.

Give yourself a minute. In today’s hectic lifestyle, “there are not enough hours in the day,” is a common refrain. But, contrary to what you think, you don’t need more hours to get things done. You just need to focus in on the way you spend your time and find spare minutes to use to your advantage. Taking an extra minute to proofread an email, heading to bed five minutes earlier each night, or squeezing in a spare ten to clear clutter from your desk can make a huge difference.

Go the extra inch. You don’t have to make a grand gesture to make a big difference. Our smallest actions can have a huge impact on our relationships with others. Start looking for little opportunities to be nice that you might have overlooked like holding the door, saying thank you, or offering to bring back a coffee for a coworker during your daily latte run. Little by little, these nice acts will help you plant positive seeds wherever you go.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, September 26, 2010 - 9:34:01

Improvisation Can Help Your Business Make Beautiful Music

Earlier this week, we read a fascinating Wall Street Journal article about Robert Levin, a classical pianist best known for his virtuosic improvisations on the works of some of history’s greatest composers. Although in their own time, Mozart, Haydn, and others intended for musicians to add their own cadenzas and embellishments, today many classical music fans regard the practice as practically heresy. And it got us thinking about improvisation in the business world—and that in order to do so successfully, sometimes you have to forget about what the establishment says and lose the rules.

In the business world, improvisation is a fantastic technique to get your brain working in a different way. It starts your creative juices flowing and allows you to see connections you might have otherwise overlooked. This can be especially helpful when trying to come up with an innovative new idea.

But, in order to keep your ideas going, it is crucial to avoid self-censorship. If you run into a roadblock in your thinking, don’t say “it can’t work.” Force yourself to think of a way to make it work…no matter how crazy. It might make you feel silly at first, but start getting your brain to think differently by comparing two seemingly incongruous items and ask how they could improve one another. Then look at each of them with micro-focus and playfully combine different elements together. At the very least, you’ll give yourself a good laugh. But, you just might surprise yourself with a breakthrough new idea.

Don’t believe us? Well, you need look no further than your toddler’s sneakers to find proof. That’s right, improvisational “small” thinking was exactly how Velcro came into existence. The story goes: when a Swiss engineer groaned over his burr-covered pants, he suddenly had a moment of inspiration. “Has mother nature invented a better alternative to the zipper?” And so, the idea for a product that can now be found on everything from children’s shoes to medical devices was hatched.

So, forget about what everyone says is the “right way” to do something, be a little rebellious, and improvise. With your flexible new thinking, the next tiny detail you notice could provide the spark for something truly revolutionary.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, September 26, 2010 - 9:28:32

Starting Small Pays Off in the Long Run

Earlier this week, we came across a great piece of advice from Steve Strauss’ USA Today “Ask an Expert” column. In response to a budding entrepreneur’s question, he replies: “in business, before you go long, start small,” continuing, “Start small, test, see what works, and then jump into the deep end.” And, of course, we couldn’t agree more. When you start small, you lower your initial risk—and that can have huge long-term implications.

Oftentimes, when we talk about the concept of “starting SMALL” we mean it in the figurative sense: taking on big tasks one little step at a time and concentrating on the tiny details instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture. But, in business, there are very real benefits to starting small in the literal sense, too. In fact, it’s one of the primary reasons many businesses fail while others, like the Kaplan Thaler Group, succeed.

When starting out, one mistake a large percentage of new businesses make is to over-commit to too much space, too soon. When we started the Kaplan Thaler Group, we worked in a space that far too small for us in order to keep costs low at the outset. Sure, our time that tiny office was cramped to say the least, but by being unburdened of the intense fear of being able to pay the rent every month (something many small business owners feel), we were able to focus on the business of creating great ads and winning over new clients. 

As an added—and totally unexpected—bonus, we found that when people work together in small spaces it inspires collaboration. Plus, they think faster, work faster, and focus faster. And in our business’ case, it helped us grow faster, too. That way, by the time we really needed a bigger place, we were certain we could handle it.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sat, September 18, 2010 - 11:54:42

Irritation Can Lead to Inspiration

Earlier this week, we came across a great story on Blogging Innovation that perfectly illustrates how the power of SMALL can revolutionize a product—and specifically, how one minor adjustment to one thing can lead to a revolutionary innovation for another.

Paul Sloane tells the story of John Sipe, who in the 1920’s came up with an unexpected innovation as a result of his frustration over a pair of slippery shoes. After scoring several thin slits along the rubber soles, he discovered that his shoes suddenly had significantly better traction and much more stability. Soon after, he patented the design, named it “Siping” and began seeking out other uses for it until he had a light bulb moment of inspiration: car tires.

Siping didn’t make the transition from shoes to tires overnight, but by the 1950’s, American car companies were readily incorporating the technology into the tires—and it turned out to be a life-saving innovation. According to a 1978 study by the US National Safety Council, siping improved stopping distance on icy surfaces by 22 percent and rolling traction by 28 percent.

It’s an amazing story, but by no means an anomaly. When you let irritation become your inspiration, you can discover solutions that address not only your problems, but those of others as well. And when you start thinking small and look for new ways to apply that little innovation, you open yourself up to a wealth of possibilities. After all, Sipe probably wasn’t the first person in history to complain about slippery shoes. He might not have even been the first person to invent “siping” for shoes. He just did one thing differently: he stayed curious, asked questions, and kept his eyes open for even the tiniest possibility of an answer.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, September 16, 2010 - 11:48:36

The Big Appeal of the Little Guy

Ever wonder what makes people so devoted to the Chicago Cubs, cheering them on year after year despite their losing record? Or why their ticket sales are up 10 per cent—giving them a seventh consecutive season of over 3 million annual visitors to Wrigley Field—in the face of these tough economic times? According to new research by Harvard Business School professor Anat Keinan, it could have more than a little to do with the Cubs’ perpetual “underdog” status. And as professor Keinan argues, the power of the underdog narrative extends far beyond the sports world. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful ways brands can relate to consumers in this difficult economic climate.

Professor Keinan explains to the Harvard Business School’s Martha Lagace: “Today, underdog brand biographies are being used by both large and small companies and across categories, including food and beverages, technology, airlines, and automobiles. Even large corporations, such as Apple and Google, are careful to retain their underdog roots in their brand biographies.”

In other words, contrary to what you might expect, a small business’ “little guy” status isn’t necessarily a detriment. In fact, entrepreneurs and existing small businesses can use it to their competitive advantage, telling their unique SMALL stories in order to differentiate themselves in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.

Why does this work? The underdog narrative, as Keinan calls it, makes companies more relatable and gives them a personal presence in what can be an intimidating and impersonal world. Because consumers perceive these underdog companies as being at a competitive disadvantage, they feel a natural affinity to them and are more likely to respond positively.

It’s just one of the unconventional and downright counterintuitive ways in which SMALL works every day. As a budding entrepreneur or small business owner looking for new ways to get ahead, one of the best solutions might be right under your nose: the story of your company. When you examine it with micro-focus, you may discover tiny seeds of ideas that could grow to have a huge pay-off. So, ask yourself, what SMALL story do I have to tell? Even though you’re an underdog, it just might make you the odds-on favorite to win.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, September 10, 2010 - 10:10:51

The Power of Names: Three SMALL Tips to Help You Remember Everyone’s Favorite Word

When it comes to remembering names, do you often draw a blank?

Dale Carnegie, legendary lecturer and writer of such classics as How to Win Friends and Influence People, once wrote: “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” But, try as many people might to remember this potent truth, there’s just one thing they can’t seem to recall: names. And it’s not because they’re self-absorbed, forgetful, or flighty. For many people, processing the deluge of details that come with a first introduction can be overwhelming. For others, they become so engrossed in the conversation shared with a new acquaintance that they remember those details instead of the one that, to the other person, matters most.

Fortunately, there are a number of SMALL techniques you can use to help you retain names more easily—and in some instances, help you increase your likeability in the process.

Make an association: If you’re a visual learner, chances are you never forget a face, but have difficulty placing names. So, a good method is to make a visual association with someone’s name that’s tied to an easy to remember verbal cue. For example, if you meet a red head named Blaire, you can remember her as “Red Hair Blaire.”

Repetition, repetition, repetition: For example, if a man named John introduces himself, instead of simply shaking hands and saying, “Nice to meet you,” say, “Hi, John. It’s great to meet you.” Then to reinforce the name, continue with a questions such as, “So, John, where are you from?” Repeating a person’s name back to them not only shows you’re interested and engaged, it will actually help your brain retain the name more readily, since the mind relies on repetition in order to learn new information and form long term memories.

Call attention: Uncommon names are hard to forget, but commonplace ones can be tough to remember. Luckily, you can use their popularity to your advantage by calling attention to it. For example, if you meet a woman named Meghan, which happens to be your sister’s name, don’t miss your opportunity to make a note of it. Instead of saying, “Hi, Meghan, it’s nice to meet you,” try, “Good to meet you, Meghan. You know, I actually have a sister named Meghan,” and then continue the conversation by asking her a question. In addition to helping you remember the other person’s name, it helps establish a common connection, allowing you to create a more positive first impression.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, September 09, 2010 - 10:17:39

Robin Experiences the Power of Small in Action

Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering the keynote address at the HR Florida State Conference & Expo in Orlando. The subject of the day might have been SMALL, but the audience of 1200 people was particularly large, making it difficult to stop and chat with the many attendants following the speech—particularly since I had a plane to catch.

But, as I stopped at the front desk to collect my bag, a woman from the audience approached me and I could sense from her expression that there was something important on her mind.

She politely introduced herself as Nancy, thanked me for my lecture, and proceeded to tell me why it had inspired her. Nearly in tears, she explained that she had started an initiative to collect empty bottles for their deposits, with the goal of one day raising $1 million for an orphanage in South Africa. She confessed that for months she worried that her undertaking was too difficult, too large to ever complete. But, after hearing me explain how taking on life’s biggest challenges bit by bit can help you achieve anything, she was filled with a renewed sense of hope and determination.

And, as you might have guessed, that’s when my eyes began to well up with tears, too.

Although she ran off before I could get her full name, contact information, or the name of her cause, our short conversation truly made my day. And that’s why Nancy embodies the Power of Small in every way—from understanding how our smallest actions can change the world to showing how a little gesture of gratitude can have an outsize impact. So, thank you Nancy for showing me once again how SMALL works every day and for inspiring me with your very own SMALL story.

We want to hear from more “SMALL thinkers” like Nancy. If you have an inspiring story you would like to share, please email us at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, September 03, 2010 - 3:23:27

Music Can Help “Pump You Up” in More Ways than One

We all remember watching eight-time gold medalist Michael Phelps rev himself up for each of his six riveting races at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, bobbing his head to a song on his iPod, while his fellow Olympians sat silently focused. At the time, some newspapers wondered whether his pre-game ritual gave him an advantage, albeit jokingly. But, could that music actually have contributed to his athletic success? If new research recently reported in the New York Times Health section is correct, then the answer could be “Yes.”  It turns out that the simple act of listening to music can do more than “pump you up”—it can enhance your performance as well.

In a study published by researchers at Victoria University in Alberta, basketball players with a tendency to “choke” under pressure were found to perform significantly better after they had listened to an upbeat song. Why? Part of the reason is that the music allowed them to move their mental focus away from the task they were performing and let muscle memory to take over. But, a new study out of the United Kingdom reveals another possible music-related cause. According to researchers at the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences in Liverpool, the body naturally works harder when listening to up-tempo music. And although fast music makes you exert more energy, it also makes it more enjoyable.

That means if you’re looking to get in shape, all you really might need is a change of pace—literally. Simply by switching your playlist to music with a faster beat, you can maximize your work-out’s potential. What’s more, numerous scientific studies have found that music provides additional motivation once you get moving. And for those of us who dread those daily sessions on the Stair Master, it can provide the little push that you need.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Tue, August 31, 2010 - 3:17:20

Starting Small Can Help You Make it Big

With the release of Jeffrey Jensen Arnett’s controversial new book, Emerging Adulthood, there has been a lot of talk in the news this week about Millenials—particularly when it comes to their professional lives. One common opinion voiced by older generations is that today’s twenty-somethings expect too much, too soon in their careers. Perhaps this due in part to the highly publicized example set by some of their peers, like Facebook’s 27 year-old CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Groupon’s 29 year-old founder Andrew Mason.  But, for most 20-somethings at the start of a more traditional career path, attempting to “go big or go home” probably isn’t the best long-term strategy—starting small and working incrementally toward a larger goal is.

As you might expect, one impactful way to get noticed by key company decision makers is to show initiative and take responsibility for projects. But, contrary to what you might think, it’s not necessarily the flashy ones that can help you shine the most. As, Jeffrey Pfeffer writes on the Harvard Business Review’s blog, many times showing an interest and taking on projects that seem unimportant or boring to others can help you begin to build influence within an organization through, as he aptly phrases it, “a series of unspectacular moves.”

Naturally, we all want to work on the high profile projects, the ones that other people are talking about and get all the glory, and it’s counterintuitive to think that vying for a chance to work on them isn’t the best way to stand out from the crowd. But, when you really stop and think about it, the easiest way to stand out from the crowd is to step away from it and find another venue where you can make your presence felt. In the business world, that can mean making your mark with the silly, little project nobody wanted to touch. While everyone else is busy trying to get their voice heard in the big-shot project, you can demonstrate your work ethic, hone your skills, and make important connections with something smaller and lower-profile.

For Millienials, this counterintuitive method can be a powerful step toward achieving the lofty goals they have in mind, but it can work to your advantage no matter what your age or experience level. By showing an interest in so-called “undesirable” projects and demonstrating your high-level leadership skills on a continual basis, you will slowly but surely establish the relationships and credibility needed to ensure lasting professional success.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, August 27, 2010 - 9:30:08

Tweeting Away the Pounds

When it comes to weight loss, there are a number of activities that might come to mind: jogging, spinning, swimming, aerobics. But, tweeting? Chances are that’s not one you’d think of right off the bat. Yet, as one New York Times writer experienced firsthand in his quest for better health, writing a few little updates each day on the popular social networking site, Twitter, made all the difference—a 75 pound difference to be exact.

In March, Brian Stelter, a writer at the New York Times, set up a Twitter account and sent out two messages:

I want to feel healthy. I have a plan. I’ll outline it later today.

My first goal is, I hope, a realistic one: to lose 25 pounds in 25 weeks, by the time I turn 25, on September 3.

Then, little by little he began tracking his calories and posting his progress—and minor setbacks, too—online. Before long he had developed an online support group of sorts, drawing the support of people of all ages, all around the world.

Just as many dieters record their daily caloric intake in weight-loss journals, Stelter took to the Twittersphere to make himself more accountable for his actions. The mere action of writing each update made him more aware of the calories he was consuming, and in addition to being a convenient way to chronicle his consumption, the connections with others made it even more rewarding. In fact, it was a small action that had a truly remarkable pay-off. In addition to the intended benefit of losing a substantial amount of weight—three times his initial goal, in fact—Stelter experienced some unintended ones as well. By sharing his story with others, he made connections around the world and inspired them in the process.  In fact, one follower even wrote to him that she had lost 50 pounds right along with him.

It’s just another testament to how even our smallest actions can play a profound role in shaping our lives and the lives of others. When Stelter started out on his so-called Twitter Diet, he had one big goal in mind: to lose 25 pounds by his 25th birthday. But, he didn’t attempt to do it all at once; instead, he broke his big goal into tiny actionable items, and tweeted them off one by one. Certainly, it was an unconventional move, but it’s just the type of inventive SMALL thinking that can make your seemingly impossible dreams come true, and make them happen with ease.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Fri, August 27, 2010 - 9:16:08

Everyone Matters

Innovation. It’s a topic on the minds of business people around the world and in order to succeed in today’s rapidly-changing climate it’s more important than ever. Companies like Apple, Facebook, and Google have risen to prominence with their constant forward-looking thinking, putting pressure on the competition to keep up. And while many companies rely on the insights of outside experts and consultants to help guide them toward new innovations, a recent Wall Street Journal article by JC Spender and Bruce Strong explains that for many companies, the key to innovation is actually held by the people right under your nose: the everyday worker. And it made us think of a simple, but powerful SMALL truth: everyone matters.

Although you might not expect it, something as simple as the good old-fashioned employee suggestion box can provide you with pioneering new ideas that can propel your company forward. In fact, the National Association of Suggestion Systems estimates that more than 30 percent of all employee suggestions are eventually adopted and that employee suggestion programs have saved companies over $2 billion—making them not only a money maker, but a money saver.

For example, an Atlanta-based chemical manufacturer used the low-tech tool to generate nearly two thousand ideas from its employees and put almost half of them into effect, saving the company over $100,000 in one year.

Conventional wisdom dictates that big business ideas must come from big thinkers—the people who aren’t mired in the everyday details of a company—and sometimes that’s true. But, many other times, it’s the very people you would assume “Can’t see the forest for the trees” who can be of the greatest value.  And as Strong and Spender explain in their article, their daily exposure to a company’s ins and outs provides them with the informed background and intricate understanding needed to make recommendations that are not only ground-breaking, but grounded.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, August 19, 2010 - 4:03:26

Coping with Anger: Exercise Can Help You Work It Out

Numerous studies have shown that physical exercise can do much more that keep you in good shape; it actually can enhance your mood. In fact, exercise has repeatedly been found to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase happiness. But, a new study reported by Gretchen Reynolds in the New York Times has found that exercise can also help people cope with anger—but in a way you might not expect.

When it comes to dealing with arguments, we’ve long advocated that people step away in the heat of the moment and do something physical such as taking a walk around the block, since doing so not only allows you to clear your mind, but causes the body to release endorphins which will help calm you down. But, new research at the University of Georgia has found that regular exercise can actually help you control your temper, not just mitigate anger once it’s occurred.

In the study, 16 “hot-tempered” participants were shown a series of anger-inducing images and asked to rate their emotions on a scale of 0-9, while their brainwaves were monitored with electro-magnetic sensors. The next day, half of the participants were asked to conduct 30 minutes of light exercise, while the other half remained sedentary. After participants were shown the clips again, scientists made an intriguing discovery: those who exercised prior to viewing the slides, while still angered by the images, did not exhibit as severe a reaction, nor did they hold onto their anger for a long period of time. Those who didn’t exercise, however, were even angrier upon viewing the slides a second time.

After conducting several rounds of testing, the researchers concluded that exercise can help defend you against the buildup of anger. Or, as the study’s lead researcher, Nathaniel Thom aptly put it: “It’s like taking aspirin to combat heart disease. You reduce your risk.”

And, believe it or not, exercise’s SMALL effect on anger actually can improve your health. Numerous studies have found that high levels of anger and hostility stress the immune system and chronically stimulate the body’s survival hormones, primarily contained in the adrenal gland. This in turn may increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels and, as a result, cause added strain on the heart and kidneys.

So, if you’re known around the office for your short fuse or are simply fed up with being so “hot headed,” take that first SMALL step to change your behavior and go for a walk. Step by step, you’ll find things will change for the better.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Thu, August 19, 2010 - 3:54:35

The Blackberry Effect

Ever since Blackberries became the new black, many people are finding it difficult to part with their favorite new “tech-sessories.” But, have you ever noticed that when you unplug, turn off your email, and stash the smart phone, you tend to get more done? Well, it’s not just a coincidence. A recent article in the New York Times points out that our so-called productivity devices can actually be, well, counter-productive.

In fact, University of Utah psychology professor, David Strayer, believes that too much digital stimulation can actually be bad for your mental health, claiming that the typical daily onslaught of emails, IMs, texts, and tweets can “take people who would be functioning O.K. and put them in a range where they’re not psychologically healthy.” Furthermore, today’s constant stream of communication has created a “false sense of urgency” that can wreak havoc on your ability to perform at your best.

And that’s not all. Researchers have found that many of the behaviors professionals have adopted in the name of efficiency—like multitasking and being constantly connected—are actually doing more harm than good. The main reason? Psychologists theorize it may have to do with working memory. The mere expectation of receiving emails and other forms of digital communication, they believe, uses up the brain’s reserves of working memory, leaving it fatigued and unable to reach its full cognitive potential.

But, by getting counter-intuitive and breaking those old habits, you can revolutionize the way you work:

Stop multitasking and minitask. Far too often, professionals confuse multi-tasking with being efficient. But if you think about it logically, how effective are you really being if you’re dividing your focus between five different tasks? As Richtel reports, numerous behavioral studies have demonstrated that multitasking actually causes performance to suffer. So, if you really want to be productive, try minitasking instead and focus on completing small tasks one by one. By dedicating all of your energy to one thing at a time, you will be able to execute your work faster and more accurately.

Take back your lunch. When you’re busy at work, it can be tempting to dine al desko, but doing so won’t just ruin your lunch, it will hinder your performance. Manning your desk all day can overexpose you to digital stimuli and limits blood flow, leaving you feeling groggy. So, even if you only have 15 minutes to spare, take a walk around the block and grab something outside of the office. You’ll return feeling refreshed and more alert.

Go off the grid. If the idea of not checking your inbox for two hours has your heart racing, it’s time to give it a try the next time you have an important deadline. By eliminating the expectation that you could be interrupted at any moment, you will be able to put all of your focus into the task at hand.

Have a “people-only” meeting. We’ve all been in those endless meetings where everyone is too absorbed by the glowing screens of their laptops and smartphones to pay attention to what is being said. So, why not invite coworkers to your next meeting sans technology? Without added distractions, your team will generate ideas more readily, communicate more clearly, and find solutions more quickly.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Mon, August 16, 2010 - 3:28:04

Generation Text: A Case for the Phone Call

Recently, we came across a Washington Post article that revealed intriguing research findings from Nielsen: monthly cell phone minute usage by 18-34 year olds has dropped from an average of 1,200 minutes to 900 minutes a month in just two years. Certainly, the rise in popularity of texting over the past few years, along with the growing usage of mobile apps for social networks like Facebook and Twitter, would explain such a change. But, as the Washington Post’s Ian Schapira reports, there’s also been a culture shift among many people in their teens, twenties, and thirties—and less intimate means of communication are now the norm.

In today’s hectic world, there’s no question that texting is an especially convenient way to stay connected while on the go. But, there are times when there’s nothing more powerful than the little sound of a friendly voice over the phone. And that’s why, just like the handwritten note, the phone call shouldn’t become a thing of the past.

In the Post article, several young people expressed concern that their phone calls would be viewed by their friends as disruptive, or worse, downright rude. But, in actuality, giving someone a quick ring to say “hello” is hardly ever viewed that way (unless, of course, you happen to be a telemarketer). On the contrary, it’s considerate and kind.

After all, phone calls are gestures that go the extra inch to let people know you are thinking of them. And even if they aren’t free to chat, a 30-second voice mail can be enough to let them know you care. What’s more, they’re a great way to practice one of the most important, yet highly undervalued, life skills a person can possess: the ability to make small talk. And in a business climate where a premium has been placed on the “conversation” at large, in order to truly be successful, one must first know how to do it on a smaller scale.

So, no matter what your age, take a minute to dial back your day and call up a friend or family member just to say “hi.” Your thoughtful gesture won’t go unwelcomed. In fact, your voice just might be exactly what someone needed to year.

Posted by Linda and Robin

Sun, August 15, 2010 - 3:38:35

Living Small Can Make You Happier

In these tough economic times, the U.S. has shifted from a society of spenders, to a society of savers—and it turns out it isn’t just making people more financially secure, it’s making them happier, too. But, what if you decided to take your frugality to the next level and pared down your life to just 100 items? That’s exactly what couple profiled in this week’s New York Times did—and it’s had a remarkably positive impact on their lives.

As Stephanie Rosenbloom writes, Tammy Strobel and her husband Logan Smith were inspired by simple living websites to reduce their possessions to the bare essentials and simply make do with less. Month by month, the couple donated unwanted belongings to charity, starting with never-worn sweaters and used books, until two years later, they were left with just 100 things. And quite astonishingly, they didn’t miss their old stuff at all.  Contrary to what you might think, they’re happier than ever.

Although Strobel and Smith’s gradual-yet-dramatic lifestyle change would be unrealistic for most people, their “small living” story shows how simply clearing clutter from your home can help you enhance the quality of your life—and it’s easier than you might think.

When we were writing THE POWER OF SMALL, we consulted professional organizer, Molly Boren, for her advice and she offered up a surprisingly simple, yet ingenious, solution to paring down your life one thing at a time. All you have to do is put a big shopping bag in your closet and over the course of a season, fill it with all of the items you no longer want. Then, when the seasons have changed, remove the bag and take it to your favorite charity’s donation center. By doing so gradually, instead of all at once, you will be able to easily decipher which items you really use and which ones are just taking up space.

But, our organizing expert isn’t the only one who can attest to the benefits of removing excess objects from your life. According to feng shui masters, clearing clutter isn’t just for looks. It can actually have an emotional benefit as well, and has been linked to increased vitality, improved mood, and mental clarity.  So, next time you’re feeling stressed, grab your shopping bags and instead of hitting up the stores for retail therapy, stash them in your closet and start paring down your life one thing at a time.

Posted by Linda and Robin