As I began my spring backyard clean-up in the same place where I always start, a story about my grandfather’s annual effort to paint his house came to mind. Is it right that we always start in the same place? Would a different approach be beneficial this time, or next time?
More Work Than Time
According to the story, when his children were young, my grandfather would endeavor to paint the house in the summer. Every time, he would begin in the front…but never quite have enough time to finish the entire house. Inevitably, the front would be finished but the back would have to “make do” until the next time. I don’t know if I remember the story because of, or in spite of, never having seen that house before the original Queen Anne styling was replaced with aluminum siding and other repairs. But the process became the riddle that has stuck with me.
Starting in a Different Place
So, as I began in the northeast corner of the yard, I wondered – is it time to start in a different location this year? How often did my grandfather wonder if he should start on a different side of the house? The benefits would be:
- The neglected area would get my A+ effort instead of B–
- The neglected area would look better than it has in years
- I could finally reach that last spot before running out of time!
Preserving Our Routine
But, as I continued to rake and trim, I decided that I was glad I had started where I always begin. Why? Because:
- The most visible location needs the largest investment of time
- Some areas must be tended to while others can wait – regardless of if that wait is one week, one month, or one season.
Most importantly, I know this for certain: it wasn’t that my grandfather was being stubborn or stupid by always starting in the front (as the story had implied). He did it because that’s how he prioritized his limited amount of time.