The Value of a Cent

Featured Image Credit: Elijah Mears on Unsplash

I felt it first on my face—a drop of water. Instinctively I put out a hand, confirming my hunch. The rain is starting. It's just a few drops, no big deal. I finished unloading the bags from the car. Fortunately, the driveway is opposite the door, so not too far to travel. Soon the thunder rolls in, booming in surround sound—some lightning flashes. The rain comes in stronger.

Outside my door, it looks like I am just outside a waterfall. The rain is soothing, periodically marred by the deep bass resonance of the thunder passing through our neighborhood.

Soon the phone chimes and buzzes. The alarm drone's weather alert gets angrier with each second. I swipe to acknowledge, and it falls silent.

Before the onslaught began, I was at a local mall—the recessed lighting made for a very office-like feel. I had been browsing stores. Occasionally I would pass by a penny on the ground. There is a superstition some follow: if you find a penny face up, it is good luck. Face down, ignore it.

I usually pick it up either way. A mentor of mine long ago always told me that every penny matters when you have a goal. He was part of a top-tier business training program. It required substantial sums to attend.

You must value what you are trying to obtain. My mentor's mindset was that he would pick up pennies if he had not reached his monthly income goal.

But what value is something so small?

Like the raindrop, I felt these memories had crossed my mind quickly. It happens with every significant rainfall. Yet the rain didn't stop. The backyard was beginning to flood in that corner by the tree.

Then I thought of the raindrops. On their own, they are nothing. Yet as a team, they are devastating. Floods and rockslides are both devastating impacts of rain.

The rain also waters the plants and feeds the rivers and creeks. Tiny raindrops, just like a penny, can mean more.

The Little Things Matter

There is the old question involving compound interest. Would you rather have a penny compounded daily or a million dollars?

The penny, compounded daily, would exceed one million dollars.

 We overlook the little. We overlook certain people or activities.

There was a professional speaker I met through my networking group. He was a musician but got into speaking to share his love of music and help influence others.

He did a speaking gig that he expected a few hundred people to attend. Only a handful of people were there.

Rather than get dejected, he went out and still gave an excellent presentation.

One of the audience members was running some more significant events. He was so impressed he hired the speaker to do a few events for him.

He could have just phoned it in.

The little things matter.

From a Puddle to a Flood

Raindrops are a metaphor for your effort. Raindrops can create formidable difficulties. Millions of tiny drops can create gallons of water.

Small effort every day slowly creates the puddle. You are writing a blog post here and a video script there. You are studying your field or reading a self-development book for just thirty minutes a day.

This is what slowly builds the puddle. After years of effort, you can turn the puddle into a flood.

It is consistent and never-ending. It is how the rains and winds formed the rocks by working every day, little by little.

Companies begin in garages or the trunk of a car. They become giant buildings and thousands of employees—puddles to floods.

The success of some is the result of years of sacrifice. All those years, you'd never heard of them. They were creating the puddle. The success was the flood.

Your Outlook in the Only Constant

You can learn a lot about people by how they behave when they succeed. And when they have nothing. It is effortless to be positive when life is going well.

When you have your health, it is easy to say you'll get up early and get things done.

It is when the clouds roll in that determines how you genuinely feel. Difficulties reveal true character.

Be looking forward. You don't always have to be happy. It isn't natural. But being consistently negative won't solve your problems.

Through the ups and downs of life, try to keep your outlook on life consistent.

For some, you will become a sign of hope; for others, inspiration to work hard.

Never forget what life was like when you were down; whenever you find yourself up. If you do that, you will never lead yourself astray.

What's Next?

Even a penny can have a value greater than its face. Small events can become the catalyst for something bigger.

Our most minor interactions could have a significant impact.

Remember the importance of the little things: interactions and moments with loved ones. Saving a few extra dollars a month can lead to something bigger. It all takes time.

This includes effort. Little raindrops in high enough numbers can create a flood. Your effort over time can add up to something great. Consistency is key.

Whether up or down, maintain your outlook on the little things. When at the top, show respect for the little things.