On Minutiae and Breadsticks

There’s a phrase a lot of us may be familiar with when going out to eat with our family.

“Don’t fill up on breadsticks.”

This was a futile attempt by our parents of telling us to hold out for the main course. A plea to not give in to our urges now and focus on the big prize at the end of tunnel. A lifeline tossed to us so we don’t get lost in the little details in lieu of the big picture.

What our parents may not have known, however, is that not filling up on the breadsticks is a great metaphor to use throughout life. In business, relationships and many other instances we tend to get lost in the small details and miss the main point. We battle over the little things and don’t think about the main course.

We fill up on breadsticks.

In order to not get lost in the minutiae, we have to take a step back from the table every now and then. We have to see the meal for what it is. The breadsticks are but a small part of the overall experience and everything worth waiting for has a larger payoff.

The next time you find yourself stressing over a small meeting or a fight over chores with your significant other human, think about the breadsticks. Realize how silly it is that you have a main course waiting for you and you’re just lost in the appetizer with someone.

Don’t fill up.

This essay was inspired by my dear friend, Thabo.