The Work No One Sees

Today, I cleaned the playroom. I dumped all the toy bins, sorted out ones to giveaway and gave each toy a clearly defined designation in the following categories: blocks, but not wooden; wooden toys; musical instruments; things with wheels; and kitchen supplies. I instilled a new “only dump out one tub at a time rule.” It hasn’t worked yet, but I’m holding out hope. 

Guess what? You absolutely cannot tell I did any of this. I restored order to the room that has no order. I cleaned, pruned, groomed the space we live in the most and, if I didn’t tell you, you would never notice. 

It’s scrubbing that database to reduce unnecessary mail returns and increase efficiency. It’s finally organizing the catch-all closet to give you the space you need to organize your home business. It’s simplifying, it’s gratifying; but only you know it happened.

The work that is done that no one knows about, that receives no accolades or recognition, is often the most important. It’s what anchors a drifting spirit and sets you apart as one who names, pursues, realizes dreams.

It’s the difference between creating healthy margin to chase life’s beautiful, whimsical moments and the constant chaos of unorganized, inefficient living. It’s the type of work you dread doing but are able to sleep so much better once it is completed. It’s the mundane things required to live your dream. 

Today, I cleaned the playroom. And absolutely no one knows. It didn’t change the world, it won’t put me up for Time Person of the Year. But you know what? It improved my quality of life, the quality of life for my family. And that means something. 

How does that saying go? Don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today. I would like to offer this modification: 

Don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today to make your tomorrow absolutely freaking beautiful.