Walking the .005 Wire

At a recent Sales Summit, thought leader and motivational speaker Rob Jeppsen delivered a powerful message about the impact of just .005 seconds in our lives.

He illustrated this with a striking example from the 2024 Olympic Games, where USA sprinter Noah Lyles won the 200-meter race by a mere .005 seconds. That infinitesimal moment—achieved by the simple act of leaning his torso forward—was the difference between silver and gold. One small, deliberate adjustment made all the difference.

Those who know me well understand that the past season of my life has been filled with .005 moments—moments that altered my course in ways I never could have imagined. Looking back, I realize they began in August, when I confided in a friend that I wanted to shake the proverbial tree branches of my life. I am, after all, a firm believer that thoughts become things.

The branches shook—hard. And in many cases, they snapped.

A few examples:

• After 24 years in a meaningful career with people I loved, I heard the words: “.005 … we have to let you go.”
• A call from my dermatologist after a routine biopsy: “.005 … we found squamous cells; they need to be removed.”
• A conversation with my freshman son: “.005 … I’m unhappy; I want to transfer.”
• And then, the text that shattered my foundation: “.005 … your mom has passed away.”

Life is filled with these pivotal moments, both devastating and transformative. We see this concept reflected in movies like Sliding Doors and books like 212: The Extra Degree. In history, a slight deviation—like the plane and helicopter collision over the Potomac River—can lead to unimaginable consequences.

But here’s the good news: Just as one small shift can create chaos, it can also bring about incredible course corrections.

For me, those .005 moments have led to:

• A new job that I love
• A successful procedure—the cancer cells are gone
• My son resetting and applying to a more suitable college
• And my mother, my daily confidant and best friend, no longer suffering

This past season has been nothing short of transformative. When I told my friend I wanted to shake the branches of my life, I didn’t anticipate how drastically they would fall. But here I stand, learning to embrace the change, finding silver linings in even the most painful shifts.

Grief is relentless, but so is hope. Even in darkness, we can look for signs, for opportunities, for moments that propel us forward. If you’ve ever lost someone or something deeply cherished, you understand—we become seekers. And when we seek, we find.

At that same Sales Summit, Jeppsen reminded us that thoughts become things. What we choose to focus on, even in the smallest increments, can reshape our world.

So I ask you: What will your next .005-second decision lead you to?