Small, incremental changes can add up and completely change your life.
As a coach, I have the privilege of working with many people to help them optimize their lives and routines. This week, I had a conversation with a client that led to a surprising breakthrough, all thanks to a simple household chore—doing the dishes. The lessons we uncovered from this everyday task have broader implications for living a more organized and intentional life, and I wanted to share them with you.
My client had been struggling with a cluttered and chaotic morning routine. We identified that their habit of only running the dishwasher when it was completely full was contributing to this stress. While this approach might seem efficient, it often left them with a sink full of dirty dishes, creating a sense of disorder that carried into the rest of the day.
“A simple shift in your dishwasher routine can bring clarity and calm to your day.”
We discussed the financial impact of running a less-than-full dishwasher each evening, but more importantly, we explored how making this small shift could empower them to start their day with a clean, organized space. By changing their habit and running the dishwasher nightly, regardless of how full it was, they were able to take control of their mornings and reduce the feelings of chaos that had been overwhelming them.
This simple change didn’t just stop with the dishwasher. It began to influence other areas of their life, like laundry and meal prep. By taking a moment to slow down and think about what truly serves us, we often find that the solutions to our problems have been right in front of us all along. The act of designing life with intention—whether through household chores or daily routines—leads to a more fulfilling and peaceful existence.
In the end, it’s not just about doing the dishes. It’s about taking small, intentional steps that help us win the morning and, ultimately, win the day. A life lived with intention is far more satisfying than one left to chance, and sometimes, the path to that life begins with something as simple as running the dishwasher.
