Cleanliness is Next to…Successfulness
Yesterday, I spent some time with my two young sons teaching them how best to clean their rooms, do laundry, organize, etc. It was such a fun experience and I will say that they rocked it and were so engaged with wanting to learn how to care for their own space.
Two things brought me such joy during this time:
1. I have always loved cleaning (it’s therapeutic to me) and it was such a blast to show them how it not only feels good, but it can be fun too. They learned that there is always a singing/dancing party that comes with my cleaning experience.
2. The look of immense pride on their faces as they showed me the results of their work.
As my mind works though, I started seeing analogies between the different elements of cleaning and how we can be more productive and focused in our lives through the act of habit/situation cleaning:
Cleaning Glass = Clearer Vision
Why do we clean mirrors and windows at all? To see better. Both ourselves and the world become clearer when we remove the smudges and film that taints our vision. This visual disruption is likened to the negative self-talk we put on ourselves or a negative outlook that we have on our future and the world around us. Windex the hell out of those smudges that don’t make you look how you actually look and that film of negativity on the windows that make you see the world, and your goals, more clearly.
Tidy For Efficiency
Ever have those days where you’re rushing around the house or the office and you get something out and don’t put it back? Maybe your computer files aren’t getting stored away properly? Perhaps you just have too many things (files, cords, bookmarked articles you’ll never read, connections on social, etc.)?
When we tidy our “house” we are more efficient and less stressed subconsciously. Think about the time that you spend looking for things as an example. A few seconds numerous times in the day turns into wasted minutes. Connections that we have on social media that don’t serve our positive energy drain our mentality when we scroll. Spend some blocked, dedicated time purging and organizing to get everything right and then spend a couple of minutes at the end of the day getting things sorted to lessen the mental burden.
Wash It Away
Be it laundry, dishes, or the house in general, there will be times that things absolutely need to be cleaned. The cues we have are the reminders of the events that brought this need about. Events from the past that remain are purged through cleaning so that we can start anew.
What needs to be cleaned to maximize your mentality and positivity? Are you holding onto grudges? Doubt over a failed project? Remorse connected to a missed opportunity? Regret that you said or did the wrong thing at the wrong time?
If you left all of your dishes in the sink or all of your clothes in the hamper unattended, you would run out of options for meals or outfits. The same goes with our treatment of past occurrences. The more we hold on to them, the more they pile up and the fewer reserves of energy and positivity exist. It weighs heavy on us after a while and inhibits our ability to move forward. Let go of the past that doesn’t serve you. You are not perfect (newsflash: neither is anyone else) and once you find the silver lining of a lesson in a past downer, you’ll be able to let it go and move on.
Dust Away the Stillness
When you leave a room unattended for a long enough time, dust will gather. When things go unused and sit still, the evidence is visually seen. The same goes for our momentum towards goals and the use of our talents. The more we sit stagnant, the more the dust will gather.
Focus on small steps when you’re rigid with doubt. Implement intentional time to hone or upgrade your skills and abilities. Block time to think creatively and problem solve without agenda. Even the smallest amount of effort and movement will keep the dust from gathering and keep things moving forward in your life.
Rich Bracken is an energetic keynote speaker and marketing executive who blends data and research with emotion and case studies to share insights and strategies on how to implement sustainable positive change. His focus and passion is to help individuals and organizations perform at a higher level both personally and professionally through emotional intelligence, leadership, and performance improvement.
He has served numerous Fortune 100 clients and global organizations as a keynote speaker and consultant and is a Professor of Leadership and notable media personality appearing in such outlets as ABC, ESPN, Thrive Global, Vice, and Goalcast, and this fall he will be presenting on the TEDx stage.
To inquire about Rich's speaking availability for your next event or conference, or his new speaker and presentation consulting services. contact him at rich@richbracken.com.
