Little things, done well and done consistently will set you apart from the crowd, enhance your personal brand and contribute to your personal excellence.

"Little things...That make a Big difference"

Consider the following "LITTLE" Tips:

Take time to DO the little things. It is often the smallest things that make the biggest difference. You never know what kind of impact your positive words or grateful actions may have on someone, even if it doesn't seem as if they really appreciate it.

Hold the door open for the person behind you, even if it means breaking your brisk walk. When someone asks you how you're doing, reply with an honest answer (not just "fine" or "good") and return the favor. Say please and thank you. Expect nothing from those who have no obligation to you and be pleasantly impressed when they deliver.

Treat EVERYONE with respect. This one should be a given, and yet it never ceases to amaze how often lacking it is in today's society. Realize that there is a difference between respecting someone and treating them with respect: You don't need to be in awe of the person and what they've done or do (which is often the case with people we respect), but rather, treating someone with respect is matter of common courtesy.

Show YOUR appreciation for the little things. People do nice things for us every day, and yet it often goes unnoticed by us. Identify the little things that people do for you (excellent customer service, holding the door open for you, taking an interest in your day, etc.) and take time out of your busy day to say thank you. Everyone appreciates being appreciated.

FACE TIME: A low-cost investment that pays off big. Sticking your head in someone's office or dropping by their cubicle to say thanks in person is a very small investment of time that pays big dividends as long as you are sincere and don't overplay your hand. When someone does a particularly good job, don't just make a mental note of it; tell him or her in person. The recipient of your goodwill will feel valued and appreciated for what they do and will be more motivated to keep it up.

Write hand-written notes - OFTEN. In this electronic age, hand-written correspondence has gone by the boards in favor of e-mail, voicemail and the like. And, for convenience sake, that's mostly a good thing. But, for greater impact, take the time to write a short, hand-written note to express gratitude or appreciation toward your team members and colleagues. This small gesture will go a long way toward saying "you matter to me" and leaves a very strong impression.

Plan small celebrations. If your group has been working extra hard lately, plan something small but fun as a reward. Bringing in bagels for breakfast, pizza for lunch, ice cream for a late afternoon break, or maybe a Friday night movie for everyone in the group -- all of these are easy and low-cost ways to celebrate success and the hard work it takes to make it happen.

Say -- "Help me understand what you mean by that." This simple sentence demonstrates that you're truly listening, that you care to learn more and that you don't know everything. People love to hear it. Try it.

Ask "How are you doing?" and mean it. When times are tough and people are stressed, taking the time to genuinely inquire into how someone is doing sends a powerful message of caring. We're not talking a spill-your-gut session here or in-depth psychotherapy, but taking a minute or two to inquire after a co-worker's sick child or parent or to see how the job is progressing, let's people know you care.