Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I Can Do *Anything* For 20 Minutes

Confession time...I have let my housework slip and now I am in a pit! Not that it is ever perfect around here, but it has gotten particularly bad. So I need to catch up before the holidays.

I have had similar issues before. I don't know which comes first- the funky mood or the messy house, but they are definitely connected. Previous battles with this led me to find FlyLady.net, a site filled with advice for people like me. There is a treasure trove of information there for digging out from under your clutter and establishing routines.

One thing I found really useful before was to set my timer for doing tasks. For example, I look at my dining room table covered with piles o stuff, and if I just think "I have to clean off that table", I will become instantly overwhelmed at the thought and not even start. Somehow if I tell myself "work for 20 minutes on the table", I can make myself do it. I know the job is too huge to finish in 20 minutes, and often I get on a roll and just finish the job, but it is really nice to know I have an out in 20 minutes if I need it.

OH, and another confession before I go- I had to buy a new timer because my old one is under a pile here somewhere...

5 comments:

tashabud said...

I think I'll try this technique to see if it works. If only I can break away just for 20 minutes from blogging.

Tasha

Waterrose said...

Ok, I'm in that pit with you. 20 minutes...ok I can do that, yes I can.

I read through your blog and feel the same way, although my children are grown it's difficult to balance your life among all of the things that need to get done.

Maggie said...

Thanks, it's nice to know others feel the same way.

Small Town Mommy said...

I think that is a great idea! I am intimidated by cleaning, but I can handle anything for 20 minutes.

Tara Beaulieu said...

I think the best part is that your old timer is buried somewhere in there. LOL, sorry but that is precious. ;)