Small is spectacular
Introduction
I'm a huge fan of small projects. Smaller projects have their own distinct advantages over their larger counterparts. You can do more with less, see results faster and get to know your users better. Plus there's the fact that people love them: our customers love the simpler interfaces that are often associated with smaller projects; our teams enjoy working on them because the scope is clear and manageable; and we like them because they're easier to sell to clients!
But what about all those people who say big things matter? What about big buildings, giant companies, massive budgets? Are they really wrong? Should you really be focusing on small instead of large?
Well, let me tell you why I think small is better than big:
Small is Spectacular
Small is spectacular, a term coined by Bruce Mau to describe the role of small, seemingly insignificant things in creating big change. A good example of this is when you hear a great song on the radio—the singer's voice and lyrics are just as important as the production values and instruments that give it its catchy beat.
In many ways, small things can be bigger than we think they are; they often contribute to significant change in our lives, even if we don't realize it. In fact, it's often the little people who make big things happen! This is because small tasks are often overlooked by larger groups or organizations with more resources at their disposal—but these smaller groups can actually accomplish more with less than those larger groups would achieve with all their resources combined!
Small vs Big
Small is better than big.
Small is more personal than big.
Small is more intimate than big.
Small is more flexible than big.
Small is more efficient than big.
Small is more effective than big (many people in a large group). Small groups can work effectively on projects that are too large for a single person to handle alone, but still small enough to be manageable by a few people working together effectively and efficiently in focused groups of 3-5 members (Big groups get unruly quickly if they get too large – ask any classroom teacher or corporate trainer). Smaller groups are often easier to coordinate because there's less conflict over who's doing what and it's easier for everyone involved to keep track of what's happening at each stage of the project/program/goal - so things don't fall through the cracks as easily!
We are all part of the bigger picture
Small can be spectacular.
Small is special.
Small is the foundation of big, and the backbone of all things in between.
Celebrate the small.
Celebrate the small.
Look at the small things in life.
Celebrate the little things that make a big difference, like taking time to read a book or having coffee with a friend.
Celebrate the small victories, no matter how insignificant they may seem to others—a hug from a loved one, for example, can mean so much more than an award for being “Most Helpful” at work.
We all play a part in the bigger picture, so celebrate what you do rather than what you don't do.
We all play a part in the bigger picture, so celebrate what you do rather than what you don't do. Is it possible that your biggest achievements are actually the most insignificant things?
When we think about how small our accomplishments are in comparison to those of others, it can be easy to feel like our efforts don't matter. But this is not true; every contribution counts—no matter how small. If we look at the big picture and see that everyone's contribution matters equally, then that means there's no room for failure or disappointment when we consider ourselves as part of something bigger than ourselves!
Conclusion
We all play a part in the bigger picture, so celebrate what you do rather than what you don't do.