If you’ve ever heard the phrase “don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill,” you’ve probably found it infuriating. Even though I’m well aware of the deep-seated truth behind the adage, I always have. Particularly, when the person saying it to me was right.
For some reason, the maxim popped into my head as I was writing while on a plane ride. I was lucky enough to have a window seat, during a cloudless afternoon flight, with a prime view of beautiful Appalachia. As I gazed down for a moment, I noticed a breathtaking lake with a highway running fairly close to it. It got me thinking about how from up there, traffic and detours are so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. No matter what was happening on that highway, the majesty of that lake and the surrounding forest, wasn’t diminished for me.
This kind of thinking is how the best of the best get through the toughest of days.
They weather the small storms with grace because they never lose sight of the grand vision. Elon Musk sweats every detail of a SpaceX launch or Tesla build, but I doubt he’s letting the minute stresses of the day detract from his passion for the project. I can only imagine Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are the same.
If you’re unable to do this, ask yourself why. Perhaps you’re not passionate about what you’re doing and the impact it’s making. It’s more likely you simply don’t understand how you fit into the master plan. Great companies ensure every employee knows what they’re contributing to. But, then again, every company isn’t great. Perhaps, for the sake of perspective, it’s time to seek out the answer to give yourself a greater sense of purpose on a daily basis.