Details determine destiny.

Author: Li Zhimin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: "The most difficult tasks in the world are accomplished through ease, and the greatest undertakings are achieved through meticulousness. Respecting details is to cherish life; the quality of life depends on our respect for details. Every detail is a node in life. The meaning of life does not lie in its length but in the amount of eternal details it accumulates. I have experienced and pursued, perhaps this is the best interpretation of details. Many nodes in life—noble and humble, strong and weak, joyful and sorrowful, happy and painful; many in life—broad and narrow, smooth and rugged; many results in life—success and failure, heaven and hell. And what determines these binary choices may be a few careless words, or a very small event, perhaps just an action or behavior. But it is these unremarkable details in life that determine one's destiny. Cells form living organisms, and details constitute pure, real life. For us living in society, both are equally indispensable. Laozi said: 'The most difficult tasks in the world are achieved through ease, and the greatest undertakings are achieved through meticulousness.' One of the greatest architects of the 20th century, Mies van der Rohe, when asked to describe the reason for his success in one sentence, only said five words: '[The devil is in the details]. [One tree, one Bodhi; one grain of sand, one world]. Everything in life is originally composed of details. Observing life through details, live a rich and colorful life, and use this [color] to adorn our own [beautiful life]. In the details, calmly count the flowing years. 'Mount Tai does not reject fine soil, hence it can reach its height; the rivers and seas do not reject small streams, hence they can become deep.' A person's life is composed of countless details. Greatness does not disdain small concessions, and details determine a person's success or failure, joy or sorrow. Therefore, details must not be ignored. Those who fail to see details or do not take them seriously, treat themselves carelessly and lack the most basic attitude of seriousness. The result is merely like trying to steal while covering one's ears, deceiving oneself, and ultimately ruining one's life. On the other hand, those who consider details and pay attention to them not only take life seriously but also seek opportunities in the details of their work, thus leading themselves to a better life. Friend, remember this: Be serious with yourself, and you will receive great rewards. Mies van der Rohe was one of the four greatest architects of the 20th century. When asked to describe the reason for his success in one sentence, he only said five words: 'Details are the devil.' He repeatedly emphasized that no matter how grand and majestic an architectural design may be, if the details are not well-handled, it cannot be called a good work. Accurate and vivid details can a great work, while careless details can ruin a grand plan. Life is the same. No matter how great your ambitions or ideals may be, or how splendid your dreams of life may be, without details as the foundation, everything is just empty talk. Therefore, we must change our and attitude toward details, advocate paying attention to and mastering details, and create a better tomorrow with a pragmatic spirit. This book provides some exciting and inspiring cases, hoping to let you experience and appreciate a happy and fulfilling life through details."