From Black Holes to Cups of Tea - the Power of Gravity
Gravity is a powerful thing.
Just look at the sky at night - whole solar systems revolve because of it, galaxies smash and collide through its force.
But when you think about it, we overcome gravity all the time.
Climb a ladder, pick up a cup of tea, even lift your little finger and you are beating all the gravity the universe has to throw at you.
However, despite these many little victories, there is no doubt who the overall winner is.
Gravity may not be visible, but what it lacks in visual impact it more than makes up for in its other quality: consistency.
You know where you stand with gravity.
Literally.
Nash Squared
I've learnt a thing or two from gravity, because gentle, persistent consistency is an incredibly powerful force.
In fact, if I look at some of the things I am most proud of, it is rare that they have come from big, bold decisions. More often than not they have come from sticking to the plan and building on things bit by bit.
I’m not perfect, but I always try very hard to...
- Stick to my daily To Do list. It's tempting to be drawn into bigger, more interesting, urgent things. But ultimately what I need to get done is on that list.
- Make time for people. As CEO half of my job is strategy. But the other half, the more important half, is about people.
- Follow through on commitments.
- Learn continuously. Not through dramatic bursts, but through steady, daily absorption of new ideas and perspectives.
These may seem like small things. But that’s the point! I don’t always succeed, but when I do I see the value build over time.
Have a think
Of course, everyone has their own areas where consistency is important. Have a think about these questions:
- What daily habits could you establish that would build over time?
- Where in your work could gentle persistence achieve more than dramatic action?
- What small actions, if done consistently, would make the biggest difference to your team or organisation?
So, the next you lift that cup of tea (or coffee, or chai, or water) think about the force you're overcoming. Then think about how you can harness that same quiet consistency to achieve extraordinary things.
Just like gravity.