How You Do One Thing...

 How You Do One Thing...  

Jumping in...works no
matter what you're 
jumping into...

...Is How You Do Everything...or so it's been said.  We are generally creatures of habit full of our ruts and routines.  In those ruts, we tend to do life in all facets of life, in similar ways.  Within the roles that we play on this planet (parent, provider, spouse, child of God, leader, follower, and so many others), it's important to take note of how we "do one thing" because, over time, that is how we do all things.  I've got a bit of a mantra "do things right" when I'm tempted to cut a corner.  In large part, this is a call to action to lead by example for our children, to "be the person your dog thinks you are," and to try to be the spouse that your spouse married way back when.  Usually, I find myself saying this mantra on the little things that, to do them right, take the extra couple of seconds.  For example, tossing a sweater on the bed becomes "do things right...and just hang it up."  Instead of putting the dirty dish on the counter..."do things right...and just rinse/put it in the dishwasher."  

Find the path
that works
for you.

When we talk about the "contagious" nature of how we do one thing trickling into the rest of our life, our habitual nature builds the ruts that we fall into.  As an example, if you're messy in one area of life (say tidying up)...probably tend to be messy/disorganized/untidy in most other areas of life.  If you tend to be impulsive in spending, you're likely impulsive in your reactions to those around you.  If you're open to cheating on your taxes, likely more open to doing so at work or at home.  Similarly, over time, things tend toward "chaos" and it is only through conscious, intentional effort that we prevent or push back those chaotic parts of life.  Our athletic or at least in shape 20-year-old selves ease out of the activities that got us in that shape and we progress toward, "round is a shape."  This "inflation of the belt line" probably doesn't stop there and we notice over time that our financial lifestyles inflate right alongside everything else - bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger bills.  

Enjoy the journey 
along the way.

On the good news front...the same concept applies in reverse.  Generally, if you're killin' it in one part of life...you're likely pretty successful in the other facets of life as well.  Doubly good news, if you're intentional and dedicated, you can start the process of small, incremental steps to reverse the course.  With small steps, we can turn ourselves into something transformed.  Take organization for example, if we start with systems like a shared calendar or budget, then add a junk drawer organizer, and a mantra that everything goes in it's place.  Soon, the side effects or consequences of being disorganized will start to fade.  

Get to a vantage
point where you can
see the future.

There is talk in estate planning about generational wealth and in doing things right as a role model, you can "teach a man to fish" to build a pedestal for your future generations to stand upon.  My wife had a student who was turning 16 and shared, "now that I'm 16, I'll have a baby because my mom and my grandma both did, so now it's my turn."  If you're hitting those ages where "dad bod" becomes easier to slip into, be intentional about not allowing the slippery slope to start.  Your kids weren't around when you were tearing up the fields of your youth, your dad bod now will just be an excuse for them to "be lazy."  

Listen for the
echoes you create.

By taking the bull by the horns and committing to doing one small thing better (you determine what better means in relation to you and your situation, not a comparison to a peer), then cascading those gains into other facets of life, real progress becomes really possible.  As you lead yourself, so you'll lead your family, your future generations, and your community.  Through those actions, we define who and what we'll become - choose wisely.  

With you in the arena, from ours to yours...Happy Trails!

Call to Action: 

• Pick out three small habits or changes you're going to make to turn a part of life that you're not tickled with.  Share these with your family for accountability and teamwork.  
• 1 - ___________________ 
• 2 - ___________________
• 3 - ___________________
• Discussion: Consider what you/your family could/would/should (level of commitment) and start/stop/sustain (action) in the next 30 days in terms of your above three points.

Further Reading, Motivation, and References:

- Habit Stacking by James Clear

- “What we do in life echoes in eternity”  Marcus Aurelius, or as paraphrased, "good deeds have echoes" - go make good deeds, small and large.  The ripples matter.

- I Hope You Dance by LeeAnn Womack