Archive for the ‘Time Management’ Category:
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.
Yes, Your Hubby Can Help With the Housework
In this article, you can pick up some tips that can help you make your mate want to help you more around the house.
When you get into a marriage, you get into a partnership. You and your hubby need to work together to keep your household running sanely smooth. Sometimes, couples run into the problem of figuring out who does what.
Sadly, most times, moms get stuck with the task of taking care of the kids and keeping the house clean while their better half works outside of the home. In today’s difficult times, moms need to get a part-time job to help out with the family finances. Gone are the days when most families can survive with one income. As a working mom, I know how difficult it is to juggle housework, taking care of kids and earning an income. Getting your partner to help with housework can certainly make our life easier and less stressful. Below are some tips you can apply when trying to get your mate to help out around the house:
* Look for things that you can do together or alongside each other. You not only get to spend time together but you get work done. Consider this, the pleasure of your company might make an undesirable chore more likable.
* If you need help with something specific, say so. Most husbands are willing to perform specific tasks when we are busy and they are not. If you can, ask him to do something that he enjoys, or at least doesn’t openly hate to do.
* Talk about how your day went without whining too much. Husbands often don’t see how much their wives do in one day, and this can make them think that we should accomplish more than we do. Letting them know about all of the things we have to contend with could evoke some sympathy, possibly even inspiring them to volunteer their assistance.
* If you prefer a more structured approach, assign specific chores to everyone in the house. You could make a chart that tells which chores everyone is to be in charge of. Brain storming with your husband when doing this is necessary. If he is included in the decision making process, he will be more willing to follow along.
* Praise him a lot when he helps around the house for positive reinforcement. Do not nitpick. Doing so will only make him less willing to help. While it’s acceptable to offer some constructive criticism, it is important to find something positive to say as well.
* Offer to help him out when it comes to his regular chores. If you show him that you are willing to help him clean his car or do the yard work, chances are, he will surely appreciate it. Then he might be more likely to offer to help you out when you are working around the house.
Getting your partner to help with housework could be effortless, or it may need some coaxing. By letting him know how hard you work to try and get everything done and asking him to do specific tasks rather than expecting him to know what to do on his own, you can often get some willing assistance. And the final result will be a neater, cleaner, and happier home.
