[Laws] John Tobler's "Not About" Law

This Law is far from obvious.  Only a few people manage to take its guidance to heart.

John Tobler's "Not About" Law:

"It's not about you.  Life is your opportunity to contribute to the welfare and enjoyment of others."

Life is not really about you.  A little of it may be about you.  Not much.

Most people are not looking at you when you're on the street.  Most people are not targeting you when you're driving on the freeway.  In fact most people are not thinking about you at all, ever.  Very few people pay much attention to you.  Most of them are family and close friends.  The others have their own lives to lead.

Most people are having a bit of a hard time right now.  Things are probably not going as well as they planned.  They don't have enough money.  They may be afraid of losing their job.  They don't get enough respect.  They may be short on love or laughter.  Someone in their family is probably not in the best of health.  Most people are worried much of the time.

If, in the course of your day, you can make someone else's life just a tiny bit easier, you are helping the angels.  If you can put one real smile on someone's face, you are a hero.

For software developers, please remember this:  it's not about you, it's about your system's users.  They need your best effort.