Make it special

When given the opportunity, make it special. This isn’t about unnecessarily going over the top à la live orchestra playing an Elgar “Pomp and Circumstance” march for a pre-school commencement.

But it is about taking extra care when you’re in the driver’s seat. Addressing an envelope, announcing a name, presenting a gift, directing traffic, setting the table.

Any of these things that involve a level of care, a degree of judgement, and a choice of style.

We have endless opportunities to elevate the ordinary — not to make it more than it ought to be, and not to make it about ourselves and our ego — but to bring professionalism and thoughtfulness to things that might otherwise be done in careless haste.

When we can make things special, let’s do so.