Every day we pass by precious nuggets of learning scattered all about us. It is these same treasures that grow and build our personal belief systems.

Lessons can emerge from our own experience, events affecting others and even media channels.

Sadly, we often overlook opportunities for self-enrichment. Yet it takes only moments to recognize what we’ve seen, reflect and systematically evolve our persona.

In the last few days alone I can readily define numerous such fleeting moments in my own life. They can serve to reinforce what is already known, reinvigorate understanding or truly expand awareness.

Clearly, new principles are unbelievably valuable. Whatever the case, consider these following recent observations that may have great relevance to you:

Effective leaders require knowledge, insight and successful application

Effective management is like conducting an orchestra

Time is most scarce when there are things to be done

No great idea is short on claimants

When I talk publically for an hour it takes two days to prepare; five minutes requires a week. If I must speak for hours, I’m ready now… derived, Winston Churchill

Much of what we speak comes easily, is accurate and on point. Yet credible codification requires significant effort

To see outwards clearly is uncommon, yet to look in, rare

Sometimes prolific output merely signals lack of alternative

An unreasonable request is one you’d never do yourself

Machiavelli is often considered unfairly. He’s simply a situational pragmatist

Team effort excels only when nurtured and considerately directed

Great leadership evolves from opportunity, capability and desire

These are all intriguing observations. And every day we each have innumerable opportunities for such insight. We choose whether our understanding is superficial or profound.

Sometimes we instantly grasp, digest and benefit from such observation. On other occasions we skip thoughtlessly towards our next engagements.

Have you been aware of such nuggets and opportunities in your recent past? Did you dwell on the significance, or simply move on? Did you truly understand the deeper meaning of that encounter?

It’s always worth taking time out from your day to reflect. However, I would not recommend dwelling obsessively on minor detail. But, it is certain that never taking sufficient time to benefit from exposure is foolish.

Such awareness is truly valuable and essential in business and fundamental to successful personal relationships. Further, it is a foundation for our growth.

So, if nothing else set aside a little private time to consider important events of the last hours and days. Perhaps looking further back in time may even yield profound personal insight?

If you have observations to offer akin to those above, please feel free to share. We all benefit from the insights of others.

Ian R. Mackintosh is the author of Empower Your Inner Manager Twitter @ianrmackintosh