I've been doing this new cleaning routine for a couple of weeks now, as best I can in between the "stuff" that's been going on in my life. I'm finding the Daily Chore page to be a huge help as it keeps me on track and gives me a sense of accomplishment. If nothing else, at least I can complete the minimal daily tasks to keep things running smoothly.
What I've learned so far:
*Do all of the morning chores before sitting down to the computer. So far today I've marked everything off my list and had extra time to put a loaf of banana bread in the oven. I am nearly ready for work, just have to finish dressing, grab my purse and head out the door. I now have an hour to myself to read, play on the computer, etc. When I walk in the house after work things will be tidy, dinner will be planned, and I can easily move onto the afternoon tasks. Cool!
*Have good supplies on hand. I need to buy some rubber gloves that fit (one size fits all does not work with my small-ish hands) and some new cleaning cloths, but I've recently replaced my vacuum and mop and that has made floor cleaning much easier to tackle. "The right tool for the job."
*Even when you don't feel like doing it, JUST DO IT ANYWAY. No matter how big my case of don' wannas is, once I get started, do just one little thing, I can't stop. I get on a roll, in the cleaning zone, and before you know it the house is spiffy and I feel so much better!
Now if I can just get the deep cleaning stuff under control I'll be in good shape!
7 comments:
I agree that the best way to accomplish something is to JUST DO IT. However, that does not help to actually getting to the JUST DO IT part.
I am getting better, but still have lots of room for improvement. I agonize less over getting it right and focus instead on getting it done. A great example is picking out a card or gift. I used to be able to easily spend an hour or more picking out the "right" card - now I am done in a minute or two. I eventually learned that people don’t notice the difference between 95% perfect and 100% perfect.
Of course, whatever you do should always be done to the best of your ability, not slipshod.
One big barrier to getting things done is the pure arbitrariness of things. Why do my taxes have to be filed by April 30th? Will the world come to an end if I file on May 12th? The deadline, like most, is purely arbitrary. On the other hand, my temporal perspective tends to be different from most.
I agree on all these points - very good tips.
How early are you waking up to get all this stuff done, get yourself made up and still have an hour before work? I would have to get up at 5 am! And that just isn't happening sister! LOL
I must get into a routine though - it's all about to drive me nuts. Life has been so busy lately that housework is the last on my list, and never seems to get done.
Grace, I do indeed get up at 5 am, LOL! That's when Beren wakes up, he has to leave the house no later than 6:45 to get to work on time, so I just get up with him. I'm an early riser anyway, which is why I'm usually comatose by 10 pm! ;-)
Richard, thank you for visiting my blog!
You make some very good points, especially about the "perfection" part. I tend to be a bit anal about things and have had to let go just a bit in order to save my sanity!
I'm glad that you are finding that the lists are helping you. It must be nice for you to have that extra time to yourself everyday...without dealing with the guilt of thinking of the chores you can be doing instead of sitting there blogging, or reading or watching tv.
Wow! You accomplish a lot by the time I'm just getting up! You work all day? You must be knackered by night!
Silverneurotic, it is wonderful, when I do it and it works! I know that it takes 3 weeks to implement a habit, just trying to make it that long and hope that it sticks this time.
Mother of Invention, oh, no I only work part time! Otherwise I'd be wiped out, you're right! LOL
Post a Comment