Fix Your Broken Windows
There’s a concept in law enforcement known as the broken windows theory, which says that we take cues from our environment-so if a neighborhood shows evidence of minor lawbreaking, like graffiti or vandalism and these things go unchecked, people in that neighborhood become more likely to break bigger laws. But if you address these minor infractions, people start to behave better.
It’s a controversial theory of policing, but I believe it’s the truth when it comes to our personal lives.
There are small indicators of disorder that make us feel as if things are out of control. It might just be that stack of unopened mail, but it contributes to our feeling guilty and overwhelmed and ineffective and..?
Maybe your broken window is that junk drawer that bugs
you every time you open it to try and find something.
Maybe it’s that pile of clothes in the corner of the room that need laundering.
Maybe it’s that pile of coins you’ve been meaning to roll and take to the bank.
For me, it’s that pile of stuff on the bed in the guest bedroom which needs sorting, filing, putting away-instead of being a mountain of “to do” stuff.
The stuff on my guest bed seems to need processing repeatedly. But after I get it all cleared off, there is a burst of energy that often leads me to another small task.
Have you ever found that putting a small concentrated effort in an area of seemingly little importance can free up your energy and desire to accomplish even more? I did.
And clearing out that junk drawer in the kitchen had me moving on to uncluttering the counters!
I think that’s the really useful aspect of applying the broken window theory to your daily life. Having a “broken window” undermines your goals because it gives you a sense of chaos.
The act of fixing broken windows, however, is liberating. The task takes on a symbolic weight. It doesn’t just feel like you’re cleaning out a junk drawer-it feels like you’re taking the first step toward doing everything you’ve been meaning to do.
Think of it like planting a seed. All you have to do is nurture that seed, water it, give it time, and you know that given enough time it will eventually grow into a small plant. A plant of energy, of self-esteem, of accomplishment!
I like what Lao Tzu says in his classic book of wisdom, Tao Te Ching,
“Big problems arise from small problems;
The wise man takes care of all his small problems,
Thus he has no problems.”
So, any broken windows in your life?
How do you handle them?
8 Comments
Oh, my gosh, Pat. This is SOOOO true here. There are several broken windows around my life – a stack of financial stuff go through, filing, and the mending pile for starters. Where to start? It really DOES free up energy to get some of it done, but getting going is the hardest bit. There are always, always more ‘urgent’ things to get done that fill up my day. This leaves the rest in a bit of chaos.
Whenever you come visit, and help me get started on a ‘broken window’ it is unbelievably rewarding. Yet keeping the momentum going doesn’t seem to happen. Hmm. Working together as a team is great stuff. I just seem to need a team around this place! and a fire-starter!
Fay, One of the things I’ve noticed is that if I have more than one broken window, choosing the easiest one to start with gives me the best chance to build some momentum. (I know this goes counter to my admonition to eat the “biggest frog” first, but inconsistency is not wrong, just inconsistent!)
So true! When I start on a project like cleaning out unnecessary stuff my family flees for their lives!!!!
Our computer room is the disaster, because we have brought all the photos up from the basement to put in books! There’s plenty to keep us both busy with doctor appt’s, keeping track of pills and shots! But, lately we have been able to organize most of the drawers in the house! We still find time to just do nothing but enjoy a show on TV or cook our favorite food.
Joyce, so good to hear from you. I’ve got one of those computer rooms too! And sometimes it’s hard to figure out a small enough task to actually start on it, so I choose something entirely different. But at lease I get one broken window fixed anyway!
Yes, there are “broken windows” in my life as well. Some are larger windows than others but all need some fixing. Changing a big part of your life in any way needs some work. Concentrate on the new and it will help leaving the old. There may be lots of feelings broken with the window but the new window may bring smiles and good thoughts to help carry on with your life. Helping feed hungry folks or taking a camera with you my quickly add changes that quickly fix the window.
With smiles and happy thoughts remember the good before the ball came through the window and enjoy the new. Have a nice day. Earl
Earl, you’ve certainly exemplified a great ability to “fix” broken windows! And have a wonderful perspective on life!
This is all so true and good to hear I am not alone in it. I started recently trying to stay ‘caught up’ at work by doing even one or two of the 20 things I may have backlogged on my desk. It surprised me how I feel I’m more on top of it when I do even one or two little tasks in the right direction.