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Purpose & Productivity•8 min read

Clean the Plate: Why Small Choices Accumulate into New and Enduring Habits and Influence.

It's not important to me to show anyone in any way that they matter.

By Kris EmersonApril 14, 2025Season 7, Episode 15 · Clean the Plate - Why small choices accumulate into new and enduring habits and influence.
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Season 7, Episode 15 · Clean the Plate - Why small choices accumulate into new and enduring habits and influence.

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What to remember
You just have to remember to do them, have some desire to do them, and recognize that they will be observed by others.
When we take our job seriously, it stores up some things that we can rely on when we make inevitable mistakes.
Key Scriptures
John 4

The story behind the idea

He talked about how important it is when you first show up, in addition to just greeting people, being cordial, being prepared, being on time. It's important to walk to home plate, pull out your brush, and clean every corner of it before the game starts. He went on to say that there are life applications of that, and he shared a few things.

What stands out

It was sometimes small things, but he intentionally wanted to relate to people. He intentionally wanted to build the right kinds of connection to people, even though it may not seem like much. That made me think of John 4 with the woman at the well in Samaria. He could have easily shown no concern for her, had no conversation with her, and she and many others would not have been saved.

Why it matters

You just have to remember to do them, have some desire to do them, and recognize that they will be observed by others. You're not using that as an advantage for yourself, you're using it because you care. I can remember from way back then, Dee gave examples like when you're walking in the park and you see a piece of trash on the ground.

A faithful way forward

Your kids need to see you do those small, wise things that say, look, this is my cart.

Put it into practice

I think we clean those plates, I think we get the calls right when we can.

Think about it

Take the idea with you.

  1. 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
  2. 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
  3. 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
From Excel Still More

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