What Was in There?
What a Smelly Trash Can Can Teach Us About Discipline and Business
The smell hit me before I even opened the lid.
I hadn’t planned on scrubbing out the trash can that day (or assigning it to one of my kids), but the odor made it unavoidable. I filled it with hot, soapy water and let it sit. Then dumped it. Still awful. So I repeated the process.
Only after the second round did the stench finally disappear. At that point, I gladly handed off the final cleanup to one of my teenagers.
A Delayed Clean-Up Costs More
I’m still not sure what exactly caused the problem, but apparently, the “cleaning” from the week before had been more of a half-hearted rinse. My daughter admitted the smell had already started then—but it hadn’t seemed urgent.
It didn’t feel like a big deal in the moment. But fast forward a week, and we had a baked-in mess that required more time, effort, and resources to fix.
That principle shows up everywhere in life—especially in leadership, parenting, and business.
The Longer We Wait, the Harder It Gets
A friend recently shared how he lost his temper with his son. He handled the aftermath with humility and reconciliation—but it took energy, time, and emotional investment that could have been avoided if he had paused and responded with more self-control.
Hebrews 12:11 puts it plainly:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Whether it’s a stinky trash can or a relational mess, the lesson is the same:
Discipline now saves disruption later.
Proverbs adds another layer of wisdom:
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
— Proverbs 10:4
We may not call our delay or avoidance “laziness”—but when it leads to missed opportunities or reactive scrambles, the results speak for themselves.
Business Application: Avoiding the “Marketing Re-Do”
This principle shows up in business all the time.
- We don’t post or email regularly because we’re too busy—or afraid of not doing it perfectly.
- We second-guess ourselves and delay publishing content until it’s “just right.”
- We stop showing up consistently and then wonder why we’re struggling to reconnect with our audience.
The result?
It takes more time, energy, and effort to rebuild momentum than it would have taken to maintain it.
Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection
You don’t have to do everything every day.
But you do need a system to keep your message present and your business top of mind.
Here are a few habits that help me stay grounded and visible in both faith and business:
- Time with God
I start each workday with prayer and Scripture—not just for personal growth, but because I believe God is the CEO of my business. I ask for wisdom, timing, and clarity around every opportunity and client conversation. - Consistent communication
You don’t need to post on social media daily or send an email every week. But you do need to be findable, helpful, and trustworthy. Decide what’s sustainable—then stick to it. - Engagement in key communities
Whether it’s a professional network, referral group, or LinkedIn thread, I check in regularly and offer value. Not because I’m “marketing,” but because building relationships is part of the work. - Movement and mental clarity
A quick walk or a stretch break between tasks does wonders for your ability to focus. When your body is supported, your brain works better. - Journaling and reflection
A few minutes with pen and paper helps me process what’s working, where I’m stuck, and what I want to pray through. I don’t overthink it—I just write. Even five minutes a day builds a rhythm of intentional focus.
Final Thought
Whether it’s cleaning a trash can, repairing a relationship, or reconnecting with your audience, the truth is the same:
Delaying discipline creates more mess.
But when we show up consistently—in our faith, in our work, and in our message—we build trust, clarity, and peace. Not overnight, but over time.
Let’s commit to the habits that keep us aligned and moving forward… without waiting for things to start smelling.
