“If you are going to do it at all, do the best that you can.”
These were the exact words my Mom used as I was mopping the floor of our two story house many years ago.
I was young, still at the stage of cutting corners from time to time.
All with the intention of completing the task as fast as possible, so I could play outside with my friends.
This time, I was doing exactly that.
I was cutting corners.
Instead of moving all of the boxes or anything else that might have been in the way, I would mop around them.
I knew better, I just didn’t choose to do better.
As I made my way through the kitchen, heading toward the family room, she came out of the computer room to grab something to drink, but I really think it was to see how I was doing.
In fact, as she made her way through the narrow hallway, she saw me mop around one of the boxes next to the kitchen island.
“Oleg, if you’re going to do it at all, do the best that you can. Move all of the boxes and mop under them.”
BUSTED.
I thought internally, “Damn, now I have to go back and do it again.”
I waited until she left to go back and mop all of the other spots I had missed.
I didn’t want her to see that I had missed all of these other spots, although I’m sure she already knew that.
I wanted her to think that I only missed one 😂
Can you relate? Is there a story of a similar instance that comes to your mind?
Yesterday, when I was helping my parents clean the house, I heard her exact words again.
The only difference this time was that they were all in my mind.
She was nowhere near me, yet she was still able to have an impact.
“If you are going to do it at all, do the best that you can.”
What are some of the things your parents have instilled in you over the years that have become your principles or core values?
