We Will Never Do Great Things

Mother Teresa of Calcutta was an Albanian-born Catholic nun whose life was so revered that today she has become a euphemism in our country for perfection. Hence, when we fall short, we say “Well, I’m no Mother Teresa.”

In my own quiet time this morning I came across a quote by an incredible woman who apparently didn’t think she was a “Mother Teresa” either. She said, “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

I have coached many people this week who certainly don’t feel like Mother Teresa. But this woman only accomplished amazing things by doing the small actions over and over again.

We all overcomplicate our lives and our businesses. While I do believe that there is a time for ambitious plans and amazingly creative visions, sometimes what we really need is to do some small things consistently.

Oh, and let’s not forget the “with great love” part.

If that sounds too squishy for you, get over it. If our lives and our businesses were a sum total of consistent small actions done out of love, it is likely we would have all the success we could handle.

I thought about ending this blog by stating that you don’t actually have to be Mother Teresa, but then I realized that she herself called every one of us to do just that. These were her words which I quoted above. She is the very woman who urges us to take small actions.

So, actually, you do possess the power to be exactly like Mother Teresa. Your calling may not involve saving thousands of starving, homeless children on the streets of Calcutta. But whatever you are doing, your small acts of love will elevate you in profound ways.

Try it. If I’m wrong, then what harm done?

I doubt I’ll get any angry e-mails about anyone having done too many little things with too much love.

Coach Steve