"The Leprechaun"    

Goes to the Quantum Leaper   

While working at a trade association in Washington DC a challenge went forth to all the staff. We had just relocated to a new facility and the president was excited about our new d�cor. So, he put forth a challenge that your office area and desk had to be clean every day for 90 days. There is something to be said about a 90-day challenge.

Well, needless to say I was one of those that after the 90 days was over met the challenge. For me that was a phenomenal feat because my desk has not always been that orderly and tidy. Prior to the 90-day challenge I was competing with another man for having the messiest desk in the company. Nevertheless, I met the challenge.

At a staff meeting I was awarded my own Oscar of sorts, a "Leprechaun" statue. Why a leprechaun? The president was Irish. Regardless, it symbolized a victory.

From my earliest recollections as a young kid I remember my notebook being in total disarray. Papers would be hanging out and there was not much organization going on. Howbeit, whether it was a messy desk or my notebook I always knew exactly where things were and could go directly to it. To others it appeared as though I was disheveled and unorganized.

Appearances do reflect our character. No matter how much we want to state otherwise people size us up by our appearance. The oxymoron to this whole equation is that I am always impeccably dressed. Every outfit coordinated and outfitted with the right jewelry, shoes and yes makeup. In fact, in high school people thought I was a model and I was voted the best dressed person in my graduating class. Wow! What a contrast.

Why? My physical presentation was more important to me than my environmental presentation. I respected fashion and prided myself on not looking like everyone else and not wearing the same outfit twice for at least a month. A colleague wittingly gave me the title, "NT" for "never twice." Yet, I didn't have the same respect for cleaning as I did for dressing.

Priorities play a big part in where we place our energies and time. Whatever you respect that is where your priority will be. Now don't get me wrong, I did respect cleaning when it was necessary. For instance, if a guy came to visit me I would have my house looking good. Please don't look in the closet. That is where everything was thrown.

There was this guy I dated who was clueless. I had mastered this approach. If he called and said that he was coming over, I would always ask, "Where are you?" Not because I cared, but because I had to factor in throwing everything in the closet and getting myself prepared as well. When I hung up that phone I was in a frenzy to make sure everything was in its place. Cleaning took priority when I felt it was important for me to impress the other person. You know what, till this day, because I know that he will be reading this, he had no idea just how messy I really was.

I say all that because somewhere in the deep crevices of each of our beings we have a desire to exhibit the same passion for excellence in every area of our lives. For me, it is tidiness and organization. As my priorities for cleanliness changed, my respect for maintaining an orderly environment changed. This renewed respect required a paradigm shift in my mind, my principles and my values.

If a small leprechaun statue could forge me to exceed a 90-day challenge, I know that during this 90-day challenge each of us will be more than successful in transforming our mindset as we take quantum leaps over those habits that have kept us from being successful.

The "Leprechaun" goes to the Quantum Leaper! That means you.

Share Your Comments!   

Copyright � 2012. All Rights Reserved.