This month, my five-minute habit has been heading out to the garden each morning to pull weeds. I don’t go out with a grand plan or a big project in mind - just five minutes, whatever I can get done. And yet, those five minutes keep everything under control. The little stuff doesn’t have a chance to sneak up and take over.
It’s funny, because “getting in the weeds” is how I tend to operate in business, too. I recently hired a marketer to help me with my brand, and it made me reflect on how my style as a consultant is a little different. While a lot of consultants stay high-level, my instinct is to dive right into the details. I’m the one reconciling to the last penny, making sure systems connect cleanly, and digging through the data until every discrepancy is caught.
The Weeds don’t Lie
Why do I do this? Because weeds (and small errors) never stay small. Left alone, they spread. A tiny mismatch in procurement or operations can snowball into a big, expensive mess.
That’s the thing about details: they’re easy to ignore in the moment, but if you don’t deal with them, they end up running the show. The weeds don’t lie — they’re a signal that something needs attention.
Try This Today: Pull One Weed
So for this month, I encourage you to “get in the weeds” somewhere in your personal life. Not everywhere at once - just pick one patch and go deep until it’s clear. A little focused effort now will save you from much bigger headaches later.
Need some suggestions? You know I have a few!
Finances – Instead of just skimming your bank account, actually reconcile it line by line. You might spot a subscription you forgot you were paying for, or a small charge that doesn’t belong there. Those tiny leaks add up more than you think.
Digital clutter – Take an hour to go through your phone photos or your desktop. Delete duplicates, file what you actually need, and get rid of the rest. It sounds tedious, but opening your phone or computer to a clean, organized screen makes you feel instantly lighter. Do this the next time you’re sitting in the waiting room at an appointment!
Passwords – If you’re still reusing the same three passwords, this is your chance to finally set up a password manager. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a game-changer. Future-you will thank present-you the next time you’re traveling and can actually log into your accounts without stress.
Pantry or fridge – Pull everything out, check expiration dates, and reorganize so you can actually see what you have. You’ll save money (and meals!) when you’re not rebuying things you already own or finding out the hard way that something expired months ago.
Calendar commitments – Look at your recurring meetings, classes, or social events. Do they still serve you? Or are you just showing up out of habit? Clearing out one or two obligations you’ve outgrown makes room for things you really want to do.
Small weeds now, healthy garden later. 🌱 What’s your project going to be this week?
See you next week,
Monica
