Each morning, as I tiptoe through my house in the dark, I’m reminded of fishing. And, that reminds me of so many other things in my life.

As any parent of young children knows, the most peaceful time of the day is when your kids are asleep. That’s not to say you don’t enjoy your time with them. It’s just that time rarely qualifies as peaceful. So, during the mornings and evenings, or while they are still napping, you go to great lengths to not disturb them and to prolong the peaceful quiet of their absense. That’s why each morning I tiptoe through the dark like a cat burglar for fear that the smallest sound or glimmer of light will wake them and bring an end to the morning’s calm.

My morning routine reminds me of fishing. In particular, it reminds me of fly fishing. I learned to fly fish in Wyoming and was taught by guys who had been fishing most of their lives. I was always instructed to wear neutral, earth-tone clothing. We’d crouch and study a particular flow or bend in the river. We’d routinely army crawl into positions. It always seemed excessive. Could a fish actually see the color of my shirt? Or sense my movement from the river bank 30 yards away? Each trip I silently questioned the necessity of these tactics as well as the person instructing me to perform them.

But now, as I creep through my house like a ninja each morning, I get it. I cater to these very minor details in hopes of not waking my kids, but I can’t say they work for sure. Maybe I could turn on a light. Maybe I could make a little noise. Maybe these things help, maybe they don’t. But, why take that chance?

Precision is rooted in the little things, in all the small pieces and details that may seem silly or pointless. It’s hard to pinpoint the specific step that makes the difference. It’s hard to rule out what part of a routine is critical and what part could be removed. Instead, you just have to appreciate how each piece fits into the collective process.

You don’t know which particular sales call will find its target. It’s hard to single out the one change in your diet that will wield results. You sometimes have to write a thousand words just to find the few you were trying to say.

Your efficiency will never be perfect. You never know what will make the difference, so accept the process for what it is and respect each step’s contribution to the whole.