Why Small Things in Life Matter and How to Reprioritize Them

How you do the small things in life is how you do all things in life.

That statement might sound like a motivational poster. Something you'd scroll past on Instagram. But what if it's actually the key to everything?

In this episode of Beyond Your Default, George and Liz dig into why we overlook the small things, what it costs us when we do, and how to start paying attention again. Because while we're all chasing big milestones and major achievements, the real measure of our character and the true quality of our lives might be hiding in plain sight.

Where That Saying Actually Came From

George traces his relationship with this phrase back to a specific moment. He was editing a video for a friend named Mick Hunt, and at the end, Mick said: "Remember, how you do small things is how you do all things."

"I immediately was like, yes. That's so dope. This is amazing. But why did I connect to it immediately? In the moment, I was just like, that's the dopest thing ever. I'm gonna steal it."

The statement fit perfectly into George's one-brick-at-a-time framework. His 1% better each day philosophy. But he kept digging.

He tracked it back to Sharon Pearson, a life coach and six-time bestselling author. Then he went further, all the way to scripture. Luke 16:10 says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." Matthew 25:21 says, "You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much."

"It seems that how we treat the small things in life is a gateway to a larger existence."

What Are the Small Things, Anyway?

George's definition is expansive, almost poetic.

"It's the breeze blowing on my face. It's the feeling of my feet in the sand. It's the warmth of the sun. A kind word to a stranger. Letting somebody go before me. Opening a door. Being polite. Heck, it could be drinking a glass of water if I'm extremely thirsty and the water is very refreshing."

The small things are those little moments or details that might not seem like a big deal but actually make us happy and feel good inside. Getting a smile from someone you don't know. Your favorite song coming on while you're driving. Someone doing something nice for you with zero expectations.

"These small things happen daily. And even though they might seem tiny, they help shape how we feel and go through life. They add special little touches to our days, making life richer and showing us how all these little moments connect us to each other, connect us to the universe, connect us even to ourselves."

Why the Small Things Matter So Much

George breaks it down into three key reasons:

The Cumulative Effect. Think of it like saving coins in a piggy bank. Each small thing you do is like adding a coin. Over time, all those little bits add up to something big. The tiny things you do every single day can lead to bigger changes than any New Year's resolution that lasts eleven and a half days.

Shaping Habits. The little things we do every day, like brushing our teeth or saying thank you, turn into habits. These habits shape our lives more than we realize. Good small choices add up to good habits, which get us to a better life.

Building Resilience. When we notice and appreciate the small good things, like a sunny day or a friend's smile, it helps us feel stronger and more hopeful, especially when times are tough. It's like having a little treasure chest of happy moments that we can remember and feel good about.

"These small things build this vault we can dig into during our lives. During the journey, you're gonna have to pull out some things to keep you going."

Why We Overlook Them

George gets direct about this one. He references the image of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil," but flips it.

"Some people are simply living their life with their eyes covered, their ears covered, and they keep their mouth shut. And I have to ask you, what kind of life is that? If you're seeing, hearing, speaking nothing, then what are you doing?"

Here's what gets in the way:

Fast-Paced Lifestyle. The relentless pace of modern life, this digital era we're in, can be one of the biggest barriers to appreciating small moments. The constant busyness leads to stress and burnout and detracts from the ability to engage deeply with our environment, relationships, and ourselves.

Digital Distraction. George's wife accidentally left her phone at a friend's house before going out. It became a conversation: Can you go without your phone for the evening? She did. But how many of us would have turned around to get it?

"This digital overload can lead to a disconnection from the physical world. It can destroy relationships. It definitely can reduce productivity. And it can hinder the ability to find satisfaction in life's simpler pleasures."

Keeping Up with the Joneses. This tendency to compare ourselves with others, especially in the context of social media, impacts our self-esteem and contentment. It creates feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and dissatisfaction.

"You just don't even enjoy your own experiences, your own achievements because you're so... well, the Joneses. Mine was okay, I guess, but the Joneses. And this can prevent you from appreciating your own unique journey, your own gifts, your own value."

Liz adds another category: when something genuinely bad happens. A death. A divorce. When you're only seeking evidence of failure in your life, that's all you'll ever find.

"I really had to challenge myself to say, okay, Liz. I know this isn't what you wanted it to be, but just what are three things you are grateful for right now in this moment?"

How to Refocus on the Small Things

George offers four practices:

Practice Mindfulness. By being fully present and engaging in the current moment, you can appreciate the nuances of your experiences. This leads to a deeper appreciation of life's small joys and a reduction in stress and anxiety.

Keep a Gratitude Journal. Acknowledging and appreciating the small things can shift focus from what's lacking to what's abundant. This practice fosters positive emotions, improves mental health, and enhances overall life satisfaction.

Engage in Reflective Practices. Reflecting on experiences and the small moments that bring joy or meaning enhances self-awareness. This leads to a more intentional life. And intention can equal a fulfilling life.

Limit Digital Distraction. Reducing screen time and being mindful of digital consumption frees up time and mental space to engage more deeply with the real world.

"My phone is on mute on a completely different desk. It doesn't even live on the desk that I work at because I understand how much it could impact the productivity of my daily life."

The Seven Dimensions Framework

George suggests a practical approach using the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational.

For each dimension, identify three to four small things that matter to you. Document them. Look for them.

"My brain on this one went to: you never see a red car till you buy a red car. Then all of a sudden, you see a bunch of red cars. If you knew that you purchased 3 to 4 things inside each of those buckets, would you see those things more?"

He admits that while he tries to remind himself, while he's tried to make it a default state, while he's tried to make it a knee-jerk response when he catches himself being negative, the honest answer is: many times, he doesn't maintain focus.

"Many times, I'm like every other human, and I suck at it."

A New Visualization for Your Journey

George plants a stake in the ground during this episode. He wants to change how we picture the destination.

"When I say live a life beyond your default, I want us all to start to visualize a wide open field that holds endless possibilities. Not the top of a mountain. Because at the top of a mountain, there's nowhere to go."

The journey matters as much as the destination. Every little step makes a difference in your bigger journey. This way of thinking keeps you motivated and helps you build a strong, flexible life that values every part of the experience, not just the finish line.

Joy in Simplicity

George closes with a request. Find a piece of paper. Write down two words: Joy in Simplicity. Put it where you'll see it.

"Cultivating a reverence for the small things teaches the value of simplicity, showing that happiness doesn't always have to stem from grand achievements or massive possessions or keeping up with the Joneses, but often from simple everyday experiences."

Simple steps that we take each and every day as we travel this path less traveled by others. On a journey to that wide open field. To a life beyond your default.

"How you do small things is how you do all things."

"If you're not doing daily small things, you can't reach or achieve the all things of life."

"These small things build this vault we can dig into during our lives."

Questions to Sit With

1. If you looked at the seven dimensions of wellness in your life, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational, what small things would you identify in each?
2. What are you missing right now because you're too focused on what's next?
3. When was the last time you put your phone away and just existed in a moment?

Listen to the full episode to hear George and Liz unpack why we overlook the small things, how to start a gratitude practice that actually sticks, and why the destination should be a wide open field, not a mountain peak.