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In my early days of professional cleaning, I felt I wasn't good enough. I'd clean for hours, tackling tough jobs. I often felt I was letting clients down. This doubt and shame were heavy. I had high expectations for myself. I wanted a level of perfection I couldn't quite reach.
But over time, things shifted. Practice, patience, and self-love changed my perspective. I stopped being so hard on myself. I started to see the real value of my work. I took pride in making homes sparkle. One day, I confidently told a client, "I transformed your kitchen today." I added, "I'll get the whole house up to speed in a couple of months." They were thrilled, and so was I.
Then, I stumbled upon something magical in my housekeeping journey. I wondered why some clients complained, even when we thought we'd cleaned everything. I studied what made great cleaners great. Why did some get complaints, while others didn't? I noticed a key difference in how they worked.
It's common for clients to mention overlooked spots. Cobwebs in corners or stubborn water stains were frequent complaints. Even though we thought we cleaned thoroughly, details were missed. This was a recurring problem.
I decided to watch some housekeepers work. I wanted to understand their methods. I explained I was studying the art of housekeeping. This helped them understand why I was observing them so closely
Want to see the full story of how “Zooming In” was born? Watch the video here:
I noticed something surprising. One lady missed many cobwebs. Another lady missed nothing at all. The lady who missed cobwebs just went through the motions. She wasn't truly engaged with what she was doing.
The other lady, who missed nothing, had a different approach. She "zoomed in" with her eyes. She deliberately looked at what was right in front of her. She did this every seven seconds or so.
This "zooming in" habit changed my cleaning. I learned to really see what was in front of me. By focusing my eyes, I was pulled into the present moment. Time seemed to slow down. My thoughts quieted. I was truly there.
When I applied this to my business, it made a huge difference. I trained my team to "zoom in" consciously. This meant fewer complaints. We became known for our attention to detail. Clients loved the excellent service we provided.
Clients often say cleaning feels therapeutic. They dread it, but then feel better. This happens because your attention shifts outwards. You get a break from mental noise. Thoughts like "What's for dinner?" fade away. Your focus narrows to a simple task. Wipe this. Buff that. Scrub this stain. For a moment, you are free.
Cleaning with this level of attention began to heal something within me. The noise in my mind quieted. Past regrets and emotional scars faded. I stopped feeling haunted. I found peace in the moment. I started to feel whole. Cleaning became an act of self-love.
Some people think cleaning is a low-skill job. I disagree. It's a skill that can be done with great care. When cleaning is done with love and intention, its effects are infectious. My clients started to feel that love. They began to appreciate their homes more. This new pride extended to their families and relationships.
The principle of "zooming in" became central to my business. It’s even the fourth principle in my book, The Domestic Goddess. It addressed the problem of missed details. Techniques like damp dusting are good, but they don't catch everything. Zooming in means you truly see smears and smudges. This is the difference between a good housekeeper and an exceptional one.
Most complaints, I realized, stemmed from not "zooming in." We covered areas, but didn't really see them. We missed the cobweb or the stubborn water stain. Teaching the team to zoom in every seven seconds changed everything. Complaints decreased, and referrals increased.
This practice isn't just for professional cleaners. You can use it for anything. Try it on your next Zoom call. Focus on your conversation with your partner. Even when wiping a countertop, just zoom in. Really look at what's in front of you. Notice the color, the texture, the shadows.
Be with the moment. You might be surprised how much it quiets your mind. It forces you to be truly present. By practicing this presence, you embrace your own perfection and beauty. You engage fully with what's in front of you. This reduces distractions and increases satisfaction.
When you focus your attention on what's right in front of you, it anchors you. You are here, now. This practice helps quiet the chatter in your mind. It cultivates peace. Your mind shifts away from worries. You increase your focus. Your attention stays on the task. This makes it easier to reduce stress and anxiety.
Think about driving. Have you ever arrived at your destination without remembering the drive? That's because you were focused on your journey. Cleaning offers a chance to train yourself to stay present. This leads to greater peace and fulfillment. It's a physical task, but also a mental one. It requires your full attention.
Simple tools can help maintain focus. Deep breathing is one of them. It's used in meditation. When my mind wanders, I take a deep breath. I bring my attention back to the task. This helps center me in the present moment. It takes practice, but it works.
The "zooming in" technique has key benefits. It enhances cleaning precision. It’s a gateway to mindfulness and healing. It offers presence over mere performance. It also brings dignity to domestic work. It challenges the idea that cleaning is low-skill. It’s a skill of care, attention, and transformation. This path can feed your soul.
Whether you're wiping a counter, cooking, or listening to someone, zoom in. Notice what's in front of you. Feel the textures. Observe the movements. Let the action pull you in. The magic is in the details. And the details are where healing begins.
