They never taught me this in school...or was i just busy talking?

It's back to school time and there is a always a mix of emotions going for kids as they settle back into a school routine. I remember saying things like "I'll never use this in real life" The truth is.... I sure was wrong.  Maybe there were some things that will never apply but... Funny thing is, now that I own a Cleaning Business, I realize just how much those school subjects sneak into our every day life.   From math to science to psychology, it turns out the classroom has been hanging out in the mop bucket all along.
Here are some subjects that come to mind that we use on the daily. 

1. Math - our every day sidekick.  Whether you loved it or hated it, math shows up every day.   From figuring square footage to calculating chemical, labor and tax costs to measuring the accurate amount of chemical, we cannot get away from those numbers and formulas! 
2. Science --- it doesn't just live in beakers and test tubes.  In the cleaning world, chemistry is critical.  The biggest lesson:  Never mix certain chemicals! 
Bleach + Ammonia = Toxic Chloramine Gas   Even products that seem harmless can create dangerous reactions if combined.
Science also helps us understand things like chemical "dwell time" to actually kill germs, how pH levels affect what surfaces a cleaner is safe on and why vinegar works on some messes but is a terrible idea on marble.  So the Chemistry Lab some people half snooze through?  Totally worth it.
3. English -- The Art of Communication --   
Turns out writing an essay and learning grammar comes in handy.  We are constantly writing proposals, emails, and contracts.   Creating policies and training manuals and communicating with clients in a way that builds trust and avoids misunderstandings.  Basically, English class taught me that words matter -- and in business, they can be just as important as the cleaning itself.
4. Business and Economics -- Money doesn't manage itself.  Just ask my Banker husband who likes to remind me!   If you were lucky enough to take a business or economics class, then you already know that running a company means thinking about the big picture.  How to budget for supplies, payroll and insurance and the unexpected equipment breaks, these classes gave me the foundation for not just doing the work but running the business.  
5. Psychology - Because PEOPLE are part of the job.   Cleaning is about homes and buildings, sure, but it's also about people.   Understanding we are all created with a different bend and are motivated differently, creating a culture people want to be apart of, managing stress and pressure, it helps greatly to know a bit about yourself and the people on the team making it all happen each day.

There are many other classes to list and we couldn't possibly forget PE Class and Recess -- those are where you find out who your teammates really are, and how to get along with others --- whether it be other contractors, competitors, critics, or just different personalities -- PE and Recess leave you with the reminder you always have room to grow, get better at something and to have a little FUN while you do it!   

So it turns out school wasn't just about passing tests it preps us in ways we can't imagine.   Here's to a great school year ahead for everyone!  

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