Putting Ourselves Together Every Day

Every morning we go through a very personal routine to put ourselves together. We have perfected this routine throughout our lives. We know each part of the routine intimately.

We recognize our different pairs of socks. They may not be in any way special to us, but we could pick them out in a laundry bin full of others. We know them intimately, yet the people we see each and every day couldn’t recognize a pair of our socks from one day to the next.

Next, we spend some time with our favorite mug. Our mug doesn’t enter into our consciousness throughout our day, but in that moment, we’re aware that it’s a great mug. We look at the other mugs in our kitchen in disgust. “You’ll never hold my tea”, you think. “You’ll never be my favorite.”

We walk to the bathroom, instinctively picking out our toothbrush from the pot of twenty (the ratio of toothbrushes to residents is always exaggerated). Our toothbrush doesn’t enter our mind for 23 hours, 55 minutes of every day, but for those remaining five minutes, we’re all about our toothbrush. Maybe it’s due to be replaced. We’ll recognize that, but you can be sure we won’t be thinking about it later.

Every day, we put ourselves together for the day ahead. Each little activity contributes to the larger role of getting us out the door. Getting us to market. Getting us shipped.

You’ll mess up along the way. Even after putting myself together every day for 29 years I still, from time to time, leave the house (go to market, ship) without wearing a belt.

It’ll happen. You’ll end up with your trousers around your ankles, socks on your hands, and toothpaste in your hair. Regardless, throw yourself into each step of your morning routine. Be in the moment with each step, like you are with your socks, your mug, and your toothbrush. Make the steps a part of you.

Figure out the steps you need to take to do something, then do them.

And don’t forget your belt. ∎