Taking Great Care
Taking Great Care
Taking Great Care was written on June 21, 2024. It is the fourth of five popular essays from 2024’s Thin Slices, a subscriber-only segment of the Wiley Weekly Newsletter.
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Often, when we feel an urge to make a big change, what we need most is to take great care.
What do I mean?
When we feel an urge to renovate our kitchen (a big change), what we might need most is to organize our cabinets, clean the inside of our refrigerator, wipe down our countertops, and thoroughly mop our kitchen floor (great care).
When we feel an urge to get a tattoo or color our hair (a big change), what we might need most is an hour of solo, sweaty, and music-filled exercise (great care).
When we feel an urge to withdraw from a friendship (a big change), what we might need most is a vulnerable conversation, affirmation, and an upcoming dinner date on the calendar (great care).
When we feel an urge to change our business model (a big change), what we might need most is a focused, quiet evening dedicated to one striking, high-quality Instagram photo that celebrates the existing beauty and value of our company.
Often, we are convinced our home, our body, our friendship, or our work needs a big change, and what it might need most is great care, attention, and love.
This concept is on my mind because Jared and I recently came across a remarkable home (and I mean remarkable!) on Zillow. (We’ve all been there.) It is far out of budget, and it is not a current option to us. However, it did cause my mind to wander.
Should we move?
Is our current home suitable for our growing family?
Do we need a home with fewer stairs?
I decided to respond to these doubts by taking great care of my current home, a home I love very much. I fluffed the pillows in our living room, watered our plants, and displayed a few of my favorite heirloom kitchenwares on our countertop. I immediately realized I did not want to move. What I needed most was to take great care of my current home.
The same response is often needed when I doubt myself as a business owner.
Should I find a commercial kitchen space?
Should I change the size of my team?
Do I need an advanced degree?
I decide to respond to these doubts by taking great care of our online presence and in-person experiences. I create a striking, high-quality Instagram photo. I send a note of gratitude to a past contractor or customer. I dive into a favorite canning cookbook to refresh my knowledge.
Do you feel an urge to make a big change? If so, is it possible a part of your life might need great care?