I must admit as a child that I was spoiled in some ways. If I did not make my bed before I went to school my mother would make it for me. Clearly that is something that did not continue after I left home.
I am married to a woman whose mother insisted she made her bed every day even though they had domestic staff. My mother in law thought this was important for each of her children.
It is only in the last couple of years that I have realised the significance of committing to making the bed each day before you leave the house. My wife is currently overseas and I’ve promised to her that each day before I leave the house, I will make the bed.
The significance of making the bed each day lies in the fact that we are creatures who need ritual and habit. My work day habit is: I get up and go to the gym, return and have breakfast, get myself ready and go. Getting ready means leaving the house as I will find when I return – this is not a trite statement. I want to come back to a neat and organised house so I need to leave it that way. A neat and organised house for me represents an ordered mind. We need an ordered mind to deal with the unexpected which today commences with answering the mobile on the way to work.
Several years ago, I saw a video on YouTube with a speech from U.S. Navy’s distinguished admiral William McRaven. He was the commander of the US Special Operations Command – he was the chief SEAL. He was also the Chancellor of The University of Texas system. He is famous 2014 Commencement address to The University of Texas (May 16) is forever on
He taught me to understand why each day I have to make a list of things to do and why the first things I have to tick before I leave the house, are “make the bed” and “clean the kitchen”. I know I’ll never finish all the things on my list, but I do know I have done the first two items and I will come home to a clean, organised house. For me it means my mind is organised and I am organised.
Working smart means having an organised and peaceful mind.
Paul Raftery
