Every year, firefighters across the country raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with the Fill the Boot campaign.  At busy intersections throughout Green Bay this week, off-duty firefighters with a rubber boot in their hands take turns collecting cash from drivers as they wait at red lights.  Although many motorists only donate a dollar or some spare change found around their cup holders, the total amount Wisconsin firefighters raised during the 2009 Fill the Boot event topped $600,000.

A lot of us tend to think that little efforts won’t be noticed and don’t make a difference.  But when you think about how $600,000 can be raised in a three-day, state-wide fundraiser by volunteers (brave and well-respected volunteers, no less), it’s fair to say that even the smallest efforts add up.

And it’s precisely in the words ‘add up’ that makes this MDA charity drive so powerful.  It’s not a one-shot, we’ll “give it the ol’ college try” that we sometimes find ourselves doing.  No, it requires focused energy toward one goal, spread across       a team of like-minded people all over the country that ‘add up’ to a successful fund raising event.  It’s a few coins from one motorist and a couple dollars from another that ‘add up’ to create an unbelievable number in the end.

And the same can be said about how we accomplish our goals, both personal and professional.  The little things you focus on today, tomorrow, and every day after that eventually do add up.  Eating too much, continuing to learn new things, ignoring wasteful spending, trying to find the positive in people first, smoking and chewing, exercising regularly… over time, the things you do frequently and consistently become your reality.  And yes, that might sound a bit cliché.

But think about how your career path has led you to where you are today.  What are the daily actions and habits that have helped you arrive at this place in your career and life right now?  How has your company grown and improved under your leadership?  And finally, what are some of the details you need to work on to help elevate you to the next step?

Little by little, day after day the little gestures and small details at work and in life add up.  If you commit to focusing your efforts on what you want to accomplish and the steps you need to take to achieve them, chances are you will.

And if you find yourself sitting at a traffic light, pondering the details you need to address so you can reach these goals, remember to give to your local firefighters and support Jerry’s Kids!