For many years I have lived after the wisdom of the great and powerful Mary Poppins when she taught,
“Well begun is half done.”
In other words–much like the Banks children when compelled to clean their messy nursery–I needed a game, a spoonful of sugar if you will in order to get tasks done.
Thus the 5 minute mambo was born. Oh blessed 5 minute mambo how do I love thee?
The 5 minute mambo simply states that I only have to stay focused on cleaning for 5 minutes in any given room before I can break free and begin a new 5 minutes of cleaning in a different room.
Apparently I have commitment issues or a fear of being trapped or whatever else one might call it. But it’s okay. Because I have found salvation in the 5 minute mambo.
Depending on the day and the state of my house, the 5 minute mambo may require several rotations before it is completed. But throughout the course of those rotations the entire house begins to look all spiffy and shiny and loved instead of only one room getting all of the glory.
It pleases me.
So during this the season of resolutions, when many of us rise up in remembrance that we were created for greatness, I (having little desire to work toward that greatness) presented a plan to my non-committal, fear of being trapped, feeling blah about greatness self and said,
“What if you were only required to commit 5 minutes a day to your greatness goals? What if your entire life could be a series of 5 minute mambos?”
What if indeed?
Thus the 5 minute success was born. Oh blessed 5 minute success how do I love thee?
Because
take this morning for instance…
“I’m not working out today.” Is what my morning self said. “I don’t have time and frankly I don’t want to. So there.”
But after completing my 5 minute yoga stretch and my 5 minute meditation my morning self said, “Well, I guess it is only 5 minutes.” Leading me to complete a whopping 5 minutes of pushups and crunches. Which some might say is pointless though I would argue that 5 minutes toward greatness is a whole lot better than 5 minutes toward nothing special.
Besides
it’s all about well begun is half done after all…
and oftentimes–but please don’t tell my inner Banks child this–I get so caught up in the work of my 5 minute mambo and 5 minute success rotations that I forget about time all together.
Which leads me to believe that in time–with a few of these small commitment successes under my belt–I’ll be back to my, “Look what I can do with my bad self.” self in no time.
It pleases me.