Little Things Add Up

Most of my regular blog readers know that I recently wrote a book called Developing Leadership Teams in the Bivocational Church. Since it is my first book and I am an unknown author living in a small rural state, it has been quite a challenge getting the word out about the book. But someone told me that if I would just spend a little time each day marketing the book, all those little efforts would eventually produce results. I set a goal of spending 30 minutes each morning and another 30 minutes each evening promoting the book. During those times I write letters and emails to people I think might be interested in the book. I post comments on blogs and websites that cover topics related to the book. I make phone calls to people who I think might be interested. I write reviews on similar books on Amazon.com as well as write “How To Guides” and create “Listmanias” for Amazon on topics related to my book. Finally, I use my connections on Facebook and on my blog to promote the book. I must be honest, some days I miss one or both of my 30 minute marketing segments. Sometimes I miss them for two or three days in a row. But I when that happens, I try to refocus and get back to my efforts to devote that small portion of time to this worthwhile effort. Though sales are still slow, bit by bit the book is making its way into the marketplace and getting noticed by people who share my concern for small churches and their pastors. Clearly, the little things I have done are starting to accumulate into larger results.

It occurred to me the other day while I was praying, that this same concept can be applied to any area of life. If we devote a little time each day to exercise, we will be healthier in the long run. If we devote a little time each day to our spouses and children, we will have better families. If we devote a little time each day to a hobby or skill, we will continue to improve and find satisfaction in them. All too often we wait until we can do some “big” thing that we perceive will produce some radical results in our lives. While those opportunities do occasionally happen, most of the time if we want to achieve some goal in life, we just have to keep plugging away at it bit by bit by bit. We may miss a day or two here or there in our efforts, but we must keep refocusing and returning to our efforts, no matter how small they may seem at the moment. All those little things will eventually add up to something big.

By the way, go buy my book and make my day!