7 Days of Organizational Tips (Day 3)

30 Minutes:

 This tip is one of the most important ones! Taking the time at some point during the day to do a clean sweep is so important ! Whether it is in the morning before work or at night before bed DO IT!

First step...set a timer: Phone timer, microwave timer, portable time whatever it is SET IT and DON'T stop until you are done! This is the time to tackle the areas you normally don't have time to do! Clean that medicine cabinet out or under the sink! How about that messy tupperware cabinet or the refrigerator? Maybe it is just picking up around the house after the kids? This is the time to do it! If you start now it will help with your anxiety and make you feel accomplished throughout the day or before you go to bed!

10 Minute list:

My mom always tells me to make a 10 minute list!  Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by the long and exhausted list of household projects before us, that we become immobile.

It works like this: 

Make a list of all of the chores that you could do in ten minutes or less.  This might mean cleaning out your ‘junk’ drawer, shining up your appliances, folding a load of wash, cleaning a shelf in a closest, scrubbing the sink.  You must keep at least five things on the list at all times.  When you have ten free minutes during your day, you take care of one of those things on the list.  It could be a task you tackle while talking on the phone; waiting for your spouse to get ready; before you go to work, before bed…well, you get the idea.  In no time, you will start having trouble finding things to add to your list!  More importantly, you will feel accomplished and less stressed.  Give it a try!

Here is an example of one of my 10 minute items:

JUNK DRAW!

YIKES!

 Empty it! Sort what you need in the draw... again here is another 'ZONE' area! FUNCTION FUNCTION FUNCTION! (Reminds me of that song.. conjunction junction what's your function..anyone remember this from grade school?? Classic!)

 Wa-la! I have a clear container  that holds ONE pair of scissors, pens, pencils, highlighters, permanent marker and erasable marker. My coupon book,  my address book and our menus from the restaurants that we order from for takeout are in the draw. One flashlight in case of emergency! I also placed the candle lighter(s) in the draw as well.

 Haaa yes much better and it only took 10 minutes!!

Homework: 

1. Invest in a timer!

2. Make a list of what you need to do during the 10 minute moments that you might have throughout the day!

It is as simple as 1-2-3!