This is a post about service. About overcoming challenges.
Every now and then I get to spend precious time with friends or clients who I help out in their own neat projects, improving their family’s health, or even financial planning. I get to see very personal sides of them. In return for the trust they give me, I make sure I give enough focus and attention in making sure that our little project presents a meaningful and lasting impact.
It’s never an easy job though. My clients would often feel compelled to be very involved because they get inspired by my hands-on approach in all aspects of my projects. I literally and figuratively do the dirty work. In this process, most of my clients would initiate in giving ideas and spend time with me with sorting, organizing, mixing essential oils, or draining our Microsoft excel powers in coming up with the right retirement plan for them. This is something that I would really prefer, not because it makes the job a lot easier, but for making the outcome very personal to both me and my clients. The project becomes longer lasting and my advocacy in promoting a holistic care in the lives of moms gets more traction.
This post is a bit different from the tips I usually give. This is a reflection of how I keep that smile on my face even when the job is very hard. Some people call it Service, to others, it’s called Passion, for me, I call it Love.
Just like a mom’s love to her children, I love what I do. And even though this is hard work, I am full of joy every morning after any of my projects. I feel content and more energized for my next mommy client. I’m sure at one point in your life, you have been there and have reached that certain peace in you. In the midst of all the chaos of work, you feel happy and driven. That’s what makes me smile. The things that I do to help other moms in being neat, being healthy now or in the future. Every now and then there are feedbacks and words of encouragement that I get from my clients. Now, this makes the job even more special! More than anything else, I am always overjoyed when I get validation that I make another person’s life a little better.
Let me share some of my insights and realization in all my experiences by summing it up into three approaches
- Imagination is the start of Passion – every client, every project, every work which I do requires some time for me to think. Imagining the what if’s, the whatnots, and most important of all – the what else! To push the boundary of progress, one must use her creativity to move forward and not think of limitations, but rather, think of the opportunities to create something new. So every time I start a new project, I always make it a point that I have a good idea on how to execute it. I would always sound this off to my ever dearest critique, my husband. He would give me ideas which I have never thought all by myself. But a word of caution to our dear wife readers, be prepared to receive some brutally honest comments which may hurt you. During this time, do take another advice from a reliable smartie – the Apple watch – breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, and breathe out… haaay naku… sometimes it’s exhausting but always take it with a grain of salt and remember that his comments have nothing but love in it. All of these are just for you to think and come up with something uniquely effective! Ultimately it’s your decision, you are the wife, you are the boss! 🤨😉
- Good relationship gets you going – If I don’t get a chance to know my client, tendencies are, I don’t get to have the best of results. I have tried time and time again, to have a cookie cutter approach on what I do, but because organizing and financial planning are very personal, the personality of one has to be embedded in your work for them. I always make it a point that I get to start a relationship with my client. Surprisingly, this is also the reason it keeps me going even on super tiring days. Of course, if a client is nice and we have a great rapport, I tend to become a machine, churning out good ideas and solutions for every challenge. Slight problem when clients do not have that connection, at all! But I push myself to the brim and make sure the last drop of my nice potion is always there. So far, I have always found that zen with clients which leads to great projects. Being nice really goes a long way. ☺️
- Inspiration keeps you sane – But if everything doesn’t seem to go my way, my inspiration keeps me sane. I would always think of what my family would need, how I want them to live, and how I want them to feel whenever they live in a place which is orderly and nice. This gives me comfort, and especially when I imagine the laughter and smiles of each and every one of them – enjoying sweet-nothing nights in our bedroom playing without any care in the world. That is my inspiration.
I want to end this with some lines from a Nat King Cole song called Smile. It makes a lot of sense especially when you finally found that passion in you and in what you do. Don’t worry about the hardships today and make sure you always have that positive outlook on life. Give positive vibes, always. Feel blessed that there will always be a bright and sunny day tomorrow, or the day after.
I dedicate this post to the people who make me smile even on my worst possible day – my three little kids and my husband.
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Stay Neat everyone!
NEAT OBSESSIONS 