My friend pointed out that humans have depended on water for thousands of
years. Water wheels have been around for a long time, and primitive sailing
ships made exploration and early commerce possible, but they had little
impact on the average person. Even hot water is of little use. In fact most
of us avoid being in "hot water" and use it only for brewing tea or washing
dishes. Even at 211 degrees Fahrenheit, water is not very exciting.
But add just one more degree and something amazing happens! At 212 degrees,
you get steam and steam moves mountains! I'm convinced this metaphor
applies to achieving our dreams.
As a golfer, I know that the difference in performance between a
world-class PGA professional and a local club champion is measured in the
tiniest of increments. To earn fame and fortune on "The Tour" the
professional has to be an excellent putter, but none of them make every
putt, every time. In fact, a millionaire professional only makes two or
three more putts in a round of golf than some of the golfers at your local
club. In putting, small differences are worth several million dollars per year!
When I started as a licensed Psychologist, there were three other people
who shared the same specialty in our community. When I arrived, they had a
monopoly and there was "no market" for me to make a living. My three
competitors had years of experience. They had superb reputations, and our
referral sources all knew and liked them. I was a nobody, young and
untested. But I found an edge.
My competitors took up to a month to complete evaluations and get reports
back to the people who needed them. I determined to dictate my reports,
have them typed and delivered over-night. Were my reports any better? Of
course not. Given my lack of experience, they probably weren't thorough or
as good but when I personally delivered my results the next day, I got lots
of attention and soon had all the business I could handle.
The difference between "good" and "excellent" is very, very small. In my
case, the difference actually had little to do with the scientific accuracy
of my results. I just delivered my results faster, and that made "enough"
difference to build my business.
For many people, the difference between being slim and fit, verses
gradually becoming heavy and unhealthy may only be a hundred calories per
day. Eat even a few more calories than you burn each day and you gain
weight. Burn a few extra calories each day, and you lose weight. Sure,
optimum health may be more complicated, but it starts with a very small
number of calories, maybe only one cookie per day!
This applies to any goal you want to achieve. Remember the old saying,
"inch by inch, anything's a cinch?" The opposite is also true. "Yard by
yard, everything is hard."
High achievers know that small differences make all the difference. The
Industrial Revolution changed everything and it began with only one degree
of additional heat applied to common, every day water. Boil the water,
channel the steam, and you've got a locomotive to change the world.
author: Philip E. Humbert, PhD
