I've mentioned here a couple times lately that I'm part of a MomWriters group for goals. It's honestly helping me keep on track and I'm loving the inspiration it gives me to get stuff done.
Today, the leader posted a challenge for us that involved finding where our spare time is and using it effectively. She said to fill it in with "quickie goals". It really got me to thinking. I have a ton of stuff around my apartment that seems to never get done, but to be honest, it would only take me about 5 to 10 minutes to do (if that). The biggest reason they never get done is because either:
A. I can't think of something to do when I find myself with spare minutes; or
B. I remember at a time when I simply can't do it (like vacuuming at 10:30 at night).
To counteract this, I'm making a list of goals I can get done in 10 minutes or less. This includes wiping down the front of cabinets, vacuuming the living room, cleaning the windows and cleaning out the "corner o'stuff" I have building up in my room. It's amazing the number of things I can think of that truly take less than 10 minutes, especially around the house. I always feel domestically challenged (thus my name) because it all seems to need done right then. If I break it into manageable chunks of "I have 5 minutes, let's do one thing" instead of "This will take me hours to do" then I think I can handle it.
I get that this isn't rocket science (Thank goodness, I could never handle the math!) but for me, this is a different way of thinking. Dave will tell you that I'm very book smart (true) but I lack common sense (also true) so for me to put it in this context, I might actually get things done instead of floundering hopelessly in the sea of "everything needs done right now and I don't have time!" Instead, I can pick one thing on the list, do it and check it off. At the end of the day or week (depending on the task) I can look back and see how much I've done and restart again the next day/week. Maybe its simple to you, but for me this seems like a godsend, as long as I put it into practice.
My question to you: What is on your daily/weekly "10 minutes or less" type list?
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4 comments:
We have played a "game" in our house since my son was really little called the 1,2,3 game. The idea is that we call out a number and he has to pick up that many things. Now that he's a teen we still do a version of that but it's 10 items. So while watching tv - he has to pick up 10 things during the commercials. It works great for adults too. There are tons of pockets of time when we can do a few things (mom my suggested it when I couldn't get my son to clean up his messes. She does it when rooms are too overwhelming - she can't clean it all but she can pick up a few items at a time and that's all she thinks about).
Oh brother--are you serious? I'm OCD baby...it's all gotta get done RIGHT NOW! No, not really, but I would like for all of to be done at the same time. Needless to say it took my babies growing up and leaving home before I realized... No one but me and my man cares what shape our home is in. My children now are 19,18,16,14, and 11. I spent their childhoods worried about getting the carpets vacuumed and all the toys picked up out of the living room before Daddy got home (he has OCD worse than I). I have always been a SAHM who worked on the side to make a little extra when it was needed, but was home when they were all small. I wish I had spent more time wrestling and playing dress up than worried about whether you could eat off the kitchen floor (and you could). Now I do a room a day and keep things picked up. You would think now that they are older that they would be less messy--Pahahaha......So now I'm following you--and after all that--its' nice to meet you.
Following from Wednesday's Blog Hop. I'll need to come back and look at all of your stuff!
Michelle
http://www.heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com
It's interesting how a different perspective can sometimes rock your world. It's like a little light bulb switches on in your head. Love it when that happens. Now I have to get onto making a five minute list ;D
I am a new follower from Follow Me Wednesday. Have a blessed week!
http://socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com/2011/01/follow-me-wednesday.html
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