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A Timer Can Be Your Best Friend
Mom - do you dread cleaning the house? I did - mainly because I thought it was so time consuming. I never seem to have enough time to keep up with housework. I often times feel overwhelmed and frustrated cause I never get my house clean just the way I like it. But,I have found a way to solve this dilemma.
How? Well, I have given myself permission to work on specific areas of my house for a pre-determined block of time. It has been truly helpful. I know I can not clean my whole house in an hour or two, but while working in increments of time, I am able to make a significant amount of progress. I noticed that if I commit to spending “x” amount of time cleaning specific areas of my house each day, then my house stays in the shape I want it to be.
How did I do it? I used my handy dandy timer.
I set my timer at 15 minute increments and I concentrate on one area or room in my house for that length of time - just doing the task that I think needs the most attention first. When I hear the timer buzz, I am automatically done fixing up that area of the house. Then, I move to the next area and again set the time to 15 minutes.
This trick keeps me from getting stuck in one area for too long and from doing unnecessary tasks. It forces me to work on each area a little bit each day without getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Sure, it’s not the same as deep cleaning but, if you get used to the routine, in time, that area will be clean like the way you want it.
If the task seems greater, I set the timer for a longer period - say an hour or an hour and a half. I even get the entire family in on it and assign each person a task to complete. Every one is pre-occupied with their task for that hour and when all is said and done, the house is so much cleaner and neater then when we first began.
Now, you may be wondering … how does the timer help?
I have noticed that when I set a time limit on a task, it puts me in gear to work swiftly. I tend to accomplish more in a short period of time - I am more focused because I know what results I want to get. I guess my subconscious mind is telling me to hurry and get as much as possible done in the time allotted.
Also, using a timer lets me know that there is an end in sight. This really pushes me to do the best job I can, because I know that it won’t last forever. And when I’m setting the timer for a short time for each area, it also lets me know that I’ll at least get something done to every part of the house by the time I’m done.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:38 am
What a great idea! I think Iam honestly going to start using that. AlthoughI don’t have a timer…but I am sure the one on the microwave is just fine. I honestly had the same problem you did. I hope it works for me…. thanks for sharing!
July 29th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I like the idea. I tend to forget that a lot can be acomplished in a short period of time, especially if I’m focused!
July 30th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I’ve used a timer for many things for years, and when my kids were small, I used it to remind them to do things, so
I wouldn’t have to nag them. For example, they were allowed to watch tv for a certain amount of time before doing homework, taking a bath, or other projects. When the bell went off, they knew it was time.
Also, I got each of them clock radios, so the alarm could wake them up for school, rather than me coming back again and again to nag them out of bed. I remember hearing moms say “I just can’t get my kids out of bed in the morning.” I had no such problem, and they never missed school from oversleeping.
I think it helped them to be more responsible.
One thing I find is useful for me is to have a timer on a cord that hangs around my neck, or is in my pocket, so it goes where I go if I have to get the phone or answer the door. I make sure that I can hear it that way.