Life offers us lessons in the most unexpected situations—but only if we are open to seeing them.
Just a few weeks ago, I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon tackling a project I had long been dreading and avoiding— power washing my deck. A project I thought I would chip away at over the course of several weeks turned into a five-hour reflection. That reflection not only motivated me to make significant progress on the deck, but it also inspired 10 life lessons that I’d like to share with you:
Lesson #1: Avoidance does not solve problems.
I had avoided the deck power-washing project for three years, and had allowed the grime to accumulate on the deck surfaces and furniture to the point that they were not useable. How many times have we avoided problems in our lives, hoping they would magically get better on their own? Today is the day to start tackling whatever you have been avoiding.
Lesson #2: Use the right tools.
Wanting to avoid learning to use a power washer, I started my deck-cleaning project with a bucket, a brush and a bottle of bleach. While these are excellent tools for other purposes, I quickly learned that they were not going to get the job done—at least not in this lifetime. In life, we attempt to solve a problem with old or inadequate tools. Find the right combination of skills and tools so you can successfully achieve your personal goals (while also keeping your sanity).
Lesson #3: Seek the advice of a professional
Once I resigned myself to using the power washer for this project, I headed to the hardware store with only a photo of my power washer in hand. I didn’t even know if it was operated by gas or electric. A kind associate taught me how to assemble and operate the power washer by referencing only my picture. All of us learn differently. Some of us need one-on-one guidance on the tools to use in life, while others learn best by reading instructions or watching a video. To increase your likelihood of seeing the best results with the least effort, know your most effective learning method for achieving your personal goals.
Lesson #4: Set small goals
When I finally got the power washer running, I was unimpressed with the narrow stream of water. It was going to take forever to complete the job. So I decided to begin with a side table, followed by the seating area next to it. When I made my goals small, I started to see progress and was encouraged as I completed each one. Achieving our small goals in life one at a time is the path to transformation. Take a moment to set a small goal for yourself today. What will it be?
Lesson #5: Celebrate small victories
It was discouraging to see how much more of the deck still had to be done, and fatigue and exhaustion were starting to set in. But when I looked back at the area I had completed, I was amazed and encouraged by how beautiful it looked. Taking breaks to celebrate victories, even the small ones, is an important motivator for continued progress. Write down an accomplishment you achieved in the last week or month and celebrate it.
Lesson #6: Document where you started
Once I began to see the results of my effort, I took a picture of the deck so I would not forget what it looked like when I first started. That reminded me of revisiting a worksheet I completed as a HeartMath student, which was a snapshot of my emotional life at the time. Looking back on that worksheet helps me to appreciate the progress I’ve made, and is a moment of celebration. Take the time to pause and record the current state of your life, so you can look back and appreciate your progress.
Lesson #7: Perfection doesn’t matter
After taking a picture, I noticed a few spots on the completed part of the deck that I had missed. I had to decide if I wanted to use my time to perfect those spots, or continue to move forward. I decided that for me, progress meant more than perfection. No decision is better than another, as long as we are managing our energy as a precious resource. Recognize where in your life you are sacrificing good enough for perfect.
Lesson #8: Change takes time
After five hours, I was still not done. I was happy with my progress but I was beginning to feel tired and the air was getting cool. I realized that it took three years to accumulate that dirt and grime, and it was not going to be removed in one day. I set my last small goal and called it a day. That’s okay. Whatever improvement project you are working on, be gentle with yourself. Listen to your body, your heart, and your intuition. Find a good stopping point and continue tomorrow.
Lesson #9: Adjust your approach
I began power washing by spraying the stream directly on top of the deck boards at a 90-degree angle, and progress was slow. By accident, I hit a plank at a 45-degree angle and saw the dirt moved faster and easier. In Sound Therapy, we use vibration to push sound gently through an area. We don’t apply sound forcefully to the area of concern. When we are addressing a behavioral pattern, progress may be slow when we focus on the pattern itself. Instead, reveal the beauty and true nature of your spirit by focusing on your assets and how to use them to address the root of the issue at hand.
Lesson #10: Life is messy
Although I prepared for the power-washing job by wearing rain pants, a rain jacket, and crocks, I was a wet and smelly mess by the time I was done. We prepare as best as we can for the obstacles life brings, but sometimes it’s just messy. If I hadn’t prepared at all, I would have become soaked sooner, and too cold to make the progress I did make. Accept the obstacles and challenges you must go through to accomplish your personal goals, even if it’s a difficult road to get there.
These lessons serve as the foundation of what we do at Integro. No matter what stage you are in with your own personal “power-washing” wellness project, I encourage you to apply these lessons to the process. And if you need support, encouragement or guidance along the way, we at Integro are here to help you through it.